Preface
Christian B. Laursen
Since the term COPD was introduced in the mid-20th century, the
efforts of researchers, clinicians and patients have combined to
significantly increase the awareness, understanding, prevention and
treatment options of the disease. Despite these advances, COPD
remains a major cause of ill health, disability, healthcare costs and
premature mortality on a global scale. Prejudice, inequality and
lack of awareness of COPD at a societal level remain important
factors that need to be addressed in many countries.
The primary aim of this Monograph is to provide the reader with a
concise overview of the current knowledge and understanding of
COPD. As such, it will certainly be of interest to readers with less
experience of COPD who wish to gain a broad yet concise
overview of COPD. But as the Guest Editors have carefully
selected a team of authors with expertise at the highest international
level, readers who consider themselves specialists in the field will
also find many useful pearls of wisdom in each of the individual
chapters.
The first chapter of the Monograph addresses the patient’s
perspective on living with COPD and their priorities for future
research and care. This chapter is an excellent example of why we
as healthcare workers and researchers need to ensure and actively
encourage patient involvement in healthcare and research. Viewed
from one angle, the chapter is a sobering reminder of the areas in
which we have so far failed in our effort to help and support our
patients. Yet, if used as a beacon for progress, the chapter provides
a strategic road map to ensuring the further improvement of the
current healthcare system and research, to the benefit of patients in
the future.
As the Deputy Chief Editor of the ERS Monograph, it has been a
real pleasure to act as chief editor for the Guest Editors Jadwiga
A. Wedzicha, James P. Allinson and Peter M.A. Calverley, who I
think have done a brilliant job. My sincere thanks and appreciation
to them and all the involved authors for producing this excellent
and much-needed Monograph. An additional thank you to all the
Copyright ©ERS 2024. Print ISBN: 978-1-84984-175-7. Online ISBN: 978-1-84984-176-4. Print ISSN: 2312-508X. Online
ISSN: 2312-5098.
https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10000524 vii
Christian B. Laursen
Since the term COPD was introduced in the mid-20th century, the
efforts of researchers, clinicians and patients have combined to
significantly increase the awareness, understanding, prevention and
treatment options of the disease. Despite these advances, COPD
remains a major cause of ill health, disability, healthcare costs and
premature mortality on a global scale. Prejudice, inequality and
lack of awareness of COPD at a societal level remain important
factors that need to be addressed in many countries.
The primary aim of this Monograph is to provide the reader with a
concise overview of the current knowledge and understanding of
COPD. As such, it will certainly be of interest to readers with less
experience of COPD who wish to gain a broad yet concise
overview of COPD. But as the Guest Editors have carefully
selected a team of authors with expertise at the highest international
level, readers who consider themselves specialists in the field will
also find many useful pearls of wisdom in each of the individual
chapters.
The first chapter of the Monograph addresses the patient’s
perspective on living with COPD and their priorities for future
research and care. This chapter is an excellent example of why we
as healthcare workers and researchers need to ensure and actively
encourage patient involvement in healthcare and research. Viewed
from one angle, the chapter is a sobering reminder of the areas in
which we have so far failed in our effort to help and support our
patients. Yet, if used as a beacon for progress, the chapter provides
a strategic road map to ensuring the further improvement of the
current healthcare system and research, to the benefit of patients in
the future.
As the Deputy Chief Editor of the ERS Monograph, it has been a
real pleasure to act as chief editor for the Guest Editors Jadwiga
A. Wedzicha, James P. Allinson and Peter M.A. Calverley, who I
think have done a brilliant job. My sincere thanks and appreciation
to them and all the involved authors for producing this excellent
and much-needed Monograph. An additional thank you to all the
Copyright ©ERS 2024. Print ISBN: 978-1-84984-175-7. Online ISBN: 978-1-84984-176-4. Print ISSN: 2312-508X. Online
ISSN: 2312-5098.
https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10000524 vii