In 2022, the General Practice Research Institute (GPRI) conducted discussions on ‘current diagnosis and management of breathlessness in primary care’ with Key Opinion Leaders in cardio-respiratory medicine and with General Practitioners.
The results demonstrated widespread concern that many traditional practices urgently needed to be brought into the 21st century.
Together, with a group of practicing physicians, GPRI set out to transform the landscape for healthcare professionals and patients alike, and Breathlessness Diagnostics in-a-Box (BiaB) was born.
Our Worldwide BiaB-EMPOWER Observational Outcomes Study is underway
Improving breathlessness care worldwide
BiaB-EMPOWER is an initiative of YBD Research Foundation which aims to make state-of-the-art diagnostic tools available to primary care practices all over the world, through broad, non-profit research programs.
YBD Research Foundation is committed to facilitating global access to Breathlessness Diagnostics in-a-Box (BiaB).
Your involvement in our Worldwide BiaB-EMPOWER Observational Study helps us to better support GP practices in underprivileged areas.
Our Worldwide BiaB-EMPOWER Observational Study needs you!
Participating in the Worldwide BiaB Observational Study could be the most rewarding action you take this year.
A rewarding decision for Primary Care Physicians
- Be at the forefront of general practice in managing breathlessness.
- Help ensure patients get guideline directed treatment – earlier.
- Aim to reduce future appointments by improving outcomes.
- Take ‘ownership’ of the testing procedures.
A rewarding role for Practice Nurses
- Take charge of the testing procedure.
- Play a more active role in patient care.
- Benefit from training and certification.
- Connect with patients at more touch points on their healthcare journey.
A rewarding consultation for patients
- Patients can be tested and diagnosed, with their treatment initiated in just one primary care visit, helping to:
- achieve early improvements in their breathlessness
- reduce the fear of their symptoms returning due to delays
- avoid additional travel time and associated costs
- develop greater confidence in their healthcare providers.
Three ways to get involved
Join the study as a healthcare practice
- Be part of one of the biggest innovative primary care studies in cardio-respiratory care!
- Our expert team at YBD Research Foundation will quickly and simply enrol your practice and help train your team on BiaB,
to rapidly facilitate breathlessness consultations
Become a local champion
- Help us promote our Worldwide BiaB-EMPOWER Observational Study within your network.
- Collaborate with colleagues in investigating the benefits BiaB can bring to their practices and to their patients.
- Support colleagues to enrol in our study.
Involve your organisation
- Whether you are a patient organisation, charity, government organisation, or university, our study needs you!
- Get in touch to find out more about the important role you can play to improve breathlessness care worldwide.
Evolution of Breathlessness Diagnostics in-a-Box
2022 →
Insight
gathering
Understanding unmet needs
An extensive worldwide discussion with
Key Opinion Leaders and General Practitioners to better understand the challenges faced by healthcare providers working within constrained and siloed systems in the field of cardio-respiratory care.
2023 →
Optimisation
Study
BiaB content
A group of practicing physicians createand refine Breathlessness Diagnostics in-a-Box’ (BiaB) – a complete diagnostic toolkit that brings efficient, inclusive and fully-connected technology to the point-of-care.
2024 →
Handling
Study
Across 3 countries
Breathlessness Diagnostics in-a-Box (BiaB) is being trialled by 45 healthcare practitioners across UK, Spain and the Netherlands with approximately 1000 patients experiencing breathlessness.
End 2024
Worldwide Observational Outcomes Study
BiaB-EMPOWER
Participating healthcare practices will each be given the BiaB box – a complete diagnostic toolkit to use in appropriate breathlessness consultations during the study.
“25% of patients with heart failure have concomitant COPD. The coexistence of both heart failure and COPD is what I call a toxic combination. So, the risk of adverse outcomes, including death and hospitalisation, is much increased compared with the individual risk of having one of those disease entities”
Professor Chris Gale, Cardiologist
“Sometimes we may need to carry out numerous tests at different locations, such as the hospital and the GP practice. Sadly, breathlessness can be quite frightening, as well extremely limiting for patients, which makes attending all these appointments very challenging for them”
Leonie Bruinsma, Primary Care Nurse
“The challenge of diagnosing breathlessness is that patients have to tolerate symptoms whilst we wait to for diagnostic tests and results. We need access to tests that can help us quickly differentiate between a few common causes of breathlessness so we can manage the patient appropriately as soon as possible”
Fiona Musgrove, Primary Care Physician
“Breathlessness diagnostics in- a-Box quickly allows me to differentiate between COPD and heart failure or a diagnosis of both, enabling me to confidently decide on the most effective management plan for the patient”
Ruth Bruin, Primary Care Physician
About GPRI
(The General Practitioners Research Institute)
The GPRI team consists of researchers and healthcare professionals. Our mission is to improve patient lives by performing scientific studies that directly contribute to improved treatment guidelines.
We celebrate curiosity
We celebrate curiosity and ‘think beyond’ to innovate and find multiple solutions to healthcare problems worldwide.
We challenge the status quo
We challenge all attitudes and behaviours that hold back progress, but always put the hopes, needs and fears of patients and healthcare professionals first.
We pioneer technology that serves primary care
We are pioneers in embedding innovative technology in primary care. Our technology creates efficiency while providing guideline-based support in clinical decision making.