The ULS has been highlighted by the WHO in its latest report, “Chronic Respiratory Diseases and Health Equity by 2050,” as an example of international best practices in developing integrated and digital clinical pathways for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Since 2014, Portugal has been implementing various digital initiatives to monitor chronic respiratory diseases, notably telemonitoring, which currently encompasses over two thousand patients.
In an effort to further enhance the healthcare system’s response and ensure a patient-centered approach, ULS of Coimbra has recently launched an innovative initiative based on integrated digital clinical pathways for COPD and asthma.
Gustavo Santo, coordinator of the working group for the implementation of ULS Coimbra’s Remote Monitoring Unit, explains that the integrated clinical pathway entails an organized model that facilitates remote monitoring of patients with chronic conditions and early intervention by primary or hospital healthcare professionals, based on alerts generated and identified by the Remote Monitoring Unit.
Pulmonologist Cidália Rodrigues from ULS Coimbra underscores the aim of ensuring that patients with chronic respiratory conditions, particularly those with COPD and asthma, receive close and continuous follow-up throughout their clinical journey, from primary care to hospital care, including at-home support.
Alexandre Lourenço, the president of the ULS board, emphasizes that this model, developed by multidisciplinary teams at ULS Coimbra, guarantees continuity of care between primary healthcare and hospitals, aligning early intervention, regular follow-up, and the promotion of respiratory health literacy.
The associated information system allows for real-time coordination between different levels of care, facilitating timely and personalized clinical responses.
The initiative currently serves 580 patients with chronic respiratory conditions, with plans to expand coverage to over 24,000 individuals in the coming years.
This ambition reflects ULS Coimbra’s strategic vision to promote a more sustainable, equitable healthcare system focused on the real needs of citizens, notes Alexandre Lourenço.
He adds that the WHO acknowledges this effort as an example of transforming care models and how the integration of care, combined with technological innovation, can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in access and quality of care.
