Chronic cough, a condition that affects approximately one in ten adults worldwide, is far more than a mere physical irritation. For those living with it, the relentless nature of the symptom often leads to a profound erosion of quality of life, impacting mental health, social interactions, and professional performance. Recognizing the urgent need to address this often-misunderstood condition, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) is set to host the ERS Cough Conference 2026. This landmark event aims to shift the paradigm of respiratory care by placing the patient’s lived experience at the very heart of scientific and clinical discourse.
The Mandate for Change: Why the Patient Voice Matters
The ERS Cough Conference 2026 is not intended to be a traditional, lecture-heavy medical symposium. Instead, it is designed as a collaborative forum where the brightest minds in pulmonology, research, and pharmacology engage in a direct, bidirectional dialogue with those who know the condition best: the patients.
Chronic cough is frequently dismissed as a minor ailment or a secondary symptom of other issues. However, for many, it is a primary, debilitating disease state that resists standard treatments. By integrating the "patient voice," the conference organizers aim to bridge the gap between abstract clinical data and the tangible, day-to-day reality of suffering. This partnership is essential to ensuring that future research agendas are not only scientifically rigorous but also clinically relevant to the unmet needs of the patient population.
Voices of Experience: Andrew Lothian and Ruth Last
Ahead of the conference, the European Lung Foundation (ELF) has facilitated a unique collaboration, bringing two prominent members of its Chronic Cough Patient Advisory Group (PAG) to the forefront of the event: Andrew Lothian and Ruth Last. Both representatives have been instrumental in advocating for a more holistic approach to respiratory health.
Andrew Lothian: The Case for Early Intervention
Andrew Lothian, who joined the ELF Chronic Cough PAG less than a year ago, represents the demographic of patients who spent years navigating the healthcare system without clear answers. His goal for the ERS Cough Conference is to highlight the psychological and social toll of chronic cough, which he believes is chronically underrepresented in clinical literature.
"My attendance allows me to communicate the patient perspective by sharing the day-to-day reality of living with chronic cough," Lothian explains. He is particularly focused on advocating for the earlier integration of speech and language therapy (SLT). "Some of these techniques are very straightforward for patients to incorporate into daily living, and they may help to control or reduce laryngeal hypersensitivity at a much earlier stage."
Lothian’s stance reflects a growing movement within patient advocacy: the shift from reactive treatment to proactive, multi-disciplinary management at the primary care level.
Ruth Last: A Call for Recognition
Ruth Last, a member of the ELF PAG since 2019 with extensive experience in clinical trials, brings a perspective shaped by both her own journey with refractory chronic cough and her professional background within the National Health Service (NHS).
For Last, the conference represents a pivotal opportunity to address the systemic failures in current chronic cough care. "I have high hopes for chronic cough to be designated a disease, as it greatly impacts every aspect of the sufferer’s life, not forgetting their spouses, family, friends, and colleagues," she notes. Like Lothian, she is a staunch supporter of SLT and hopes to use the platform to educate clinicians on how to better serve patients in primary care settings, where the initial point of contact often fails to provide sufficient relief or specialized referrals.
Chronology of the Patient-Professional Partnership
The journey to the 2026 conference did not happen in a vacuum. It is the culmination of years of advocacy by the European Lung Foundation and the broader respiratory community.
- 2019: The formation of the ELF Chronic Cough PAG marked a milestone in formalizing patient input. Ruth Last joins, signaling an increase in patient-led engagement with research trials.
- 2020–2024: During this period, the shift toward "Patient-Centered Care" became a dominant theme in European respiratory policy. The growth of the European Patient Ambassador Programme (EPAP) provided patients with the skills necessary to communicate effectively with medical professionals.
- 2025: Strategic planning for the 2026 Conference centers on the integration of patient testimonials as keynotes rather than side-sessions.
- 2026 (Forthcoming): The ERS Cough Conference serves as the pilot for a new model of medical conferencing where patient representatives contribute to roundtable discussions on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.
Supporting Data and Clinical Implications
Chronic cough is often defined as a cough lasting longer than eight weeks. Data suggests that while many cases are secondary to conditions like asthma or GERD, a significant subset of patients suffer from "refractory" or "unexplained" chronic cough.
The implications of this condition are staggering. Studies have consistently shown that chronic cough is associated with:
- Urinary Incontinence: A common, yet rarely discussed, physical consequence of persistent, forceful coughing.
- Psychosocial Isolation: Many patients report avoiding social gatherings, public transport, or quiet spaces due to the fear of a coughing fit.
- Occupational Impact: Reduced productivity and potential job loss due to the physical exhaustion caused by constant coughing.
By inviting patient representatives to discuss these facets, the ERS aims to encourage clinicians to look beyond the "chest X-ray" and consider the total burden of the disease. The inclusion of SLT as a core discussion point is particularly significant; it represents a low-risk, high-reward intervention that is currently under-utilized in many European healthcare systems.
Official Responses and Strategic Goals
The ERS has expressed strong support for the inclusion of patient partners, viewing it as a prerequisite for innovation. By inviting patients into the room where protocols are designed, the Society is effectively forcing a change in the traditional hierarchy of medicine.
"It is not just important—it is essential that we are involved," says Lothian. His assertion is shared by the conference leadership, who recognize that scientific advances are only as good as their uptake in the real world. If a new treatment exists but is not tailored to the needs or lifestyle of the patient, it will inevitably fail to improve health outcomes.
The conference aims to foster three key outcomes:
- Standardization of Care: Developing a unified definition and pathway for chronic cough across Europe.
- Early Referral: Creating protocols that ensure patients are referred to specialized care—including speech therapy and cough clinics—sooner.
- Validation: Providing patients with the clinical acknowledgement that their condition is a legitimate, systemic issue, which in itself can reduce the anxiety and stress that often exacerbates the cough reflex.
A Vision for the Future
As the medical community prepares for the 2026 event, the message is clear: the era of the passive patient is over. The future of chronic cough care must be built on a foundation of "co-production," where clinicians, researchers, and patients act as partners.
For those interested in the future of respiratory health, the ERS Cough Conference offers a glimpse into a new standard of care. By learning from those who have lived the experience, medical professionals can move closer to a world where chronic cough is not merely "managed," but understood and treated with the empathy and precision that every patient deserves.
How to Engage
The European Lung Foundation continues to offer pathways for those wishing to advocate for better lung health. Through the Patient Advisory Groups (PAGs) and the European Patient Ambassador Programme (EPAP), individuals can gain the skills needed to influence healthcare policy. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional, the opportunity to contribute to these discussions is open. By staying informed through official mailing lists and participating in advocacy programs, the collective voice of the patient community can drive the systemic changes required to turn the tide on chronic cough.
For more information on the latest research, diagnosis, and management of chronic cough, please visit the ELF Chronic Cough Information Hub.
