Enhancing ventilation and respiratory care in neuromuscular disease: global insights at BEST seminar

Which approaches to ventilation and respiratory care are best for neuromuscular disease, and what new research directions are emerging?

Clinicians and researchers explored this question at a BEST- hosted seminar, ‘From monitoring to follow up- research driven approaches to measuring and enhancing ventilation and outcomes', featuring Dr Marieke Duiverman from the Home Mechanical Ventilation Centre in Groningen, the Netherlands. The event was co-chaired by Dr Nicole Sheers (BEST and University of Melbourne) and Associate Professor Eli Dabsceck (Alfred Health).

Twenty-two health care professionals from across Victorian health services including the Royal Children's Hospital, Monash Health, Alfred Health, St Vincent’s Health, and Austin Health participated in the seminar held at the University of Melbourne in June.

Invited speaker Dr Duiverman presented the Dutch perspective and models of care for providing home ventilation to people with motor neurone disease and other neuromuscular conditions. She focused on home-based care and the use of telemonitoring; both areas that our team and collaborators at the Victorian Respiratory Support Service (VRSS) at Austin Health are actively involved in. The breadth of local expertise was reflected in a research round table, where clinician-researchers from the VRSS, the Royal Children's Hospital, St Vincent's, The Alfred and BEST discussed current research projects and future directions in respiratory care and ventilatory support.

 Co-chair Dr Nicole Sheers introducing the seminar.

Invited speaker Dr Marieke Duiverman presenting her insights as a clinician- scientist Invited speaker Dr Marieke Duiverman presenting her insights as a clinician- scientist from the Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, the University Medical Center Groningen and the University of Groningen.

Picture top row: Co-chair Dr Nicole Sheers introducing the seminar.

Picture middle and bottom row: Invited speaker Dr Marieke Duiverman presenting her insights as a clinician- scientist from the Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, the University Medical Center Groningen and the University of Groningen.