On September 25 and 26, EFA participated in the General Assembly of the TOLIFE project in Madrid. EFA has been part of the initiative since 2022, joining forces with research, clinical and technical partners to improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient care.
TOLIFE project, short for Combining Artificial Intelligence and smart sensing toward better management and improved quality of LIFE in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aims to develop an AI-driven platform that can anticipate and prevent COPD exacerbations. This clinically validated technology strives to enable early intervention and tailor treatments for individual needs, potentially transforming the quality of life for those affected by COPD.
EFA’s role: driving patient-centered research through the patient advisory group (PAG)
As part of the TOLIFE project, EFA leads the Patient Advisory Group (PAG), a group of COPD patients who bring their personal experiences to the heart of the project. Their involvement helps make sure that the technology and approaches developed within TOLIFE truly reflect what patients need and priorities. By keeping patient perspectives at the core, EFA is building a research model that values patient voices and promotes a sense of ownership in the project’s direction and outcomes.
Highlights from the General Assembly 2024: strengthening collaboration
The General Assembly brought together consortium members, researchers, and the PAG in an open, collaborative space to reflect on progress and map out the next steps for the project. Over the two days, researchers shared the latest breakthroughs and discoveries, showing how much closer we are getting to a transformative AI platform that could help predict flare-ups early and truly improve the lives of people living with COPD.
EFA, together with the PAG representative and supported by researchers, reiterated the importance of a patient-centric approach. We discussed how involving patients in the design phase, particularly in evaluating study protocols and device suitability, is essential to developing tools that are both relevant and accessible to end users. The hands-on role of the PAG in reviewing devices designed for COPD patients has been a cornerstone of the TOLIFE project, ensuring the outcomes remain aligned with real-life patient experiences and preferences.
Setting future directions: patient input and study priorities
The General Assembly reinforced the collaboration between patients and researchers, shaping the next phase of TOLIFE project and setting specific goals for the PAG’s involvement. EFA and the PAG will continue to provide critical input, supporting the study’s objectives to make the lives of COPD patients more manageable and to foster innovations that improve daily care.
A vision for improved COPD patient outcomes
As TOLIFE advances, its patient-centered focus remains a guiding principle. By involving patients actively and consistently, the project builds toward a healthcare solution that does not just react to disease but anticipates and mitigates its impacts. Learn more about the TOLIFE project here.