Seven digital tools connecting the dots in chronic care
How MULTIPULM aims to support people living with chronic respiratory diseases and multimorbidity.
What happens when someone needs care for a lung condition and several other health problems at once? They may have symptoms to track, medicines to manage and advice from different specialists to follow. It can be hard to see how all the pieces fit together.
MULTIPULM is exploring how digital tools could help. The project is bringing together seven types of technology to support people living with chronic respiratory conditions and multimorbidity, meaning two or more long-term conditions. Here is what each tool could add to a more connected approach to care.
Monitoring health between appointments
A person’s health can change between clinic visits. Monitoring devices and apps could help capture information about their condition and how they are following their treatment plan at home.
That gives patients and care teams more to discuss than a snapshot from one appointment. It could help them notice changes over time and decide when a closer look is needed.
Bringing information together for clinical decisions
Each tool can tell part of a person’s story. MULTIPULM’s decision support system aims to bring information from the different tools together and present useful insights to healthcare professionals.
The aim is to help care teams spot patterns and areas that may need attention, including possible risks linked to taking several medicines. It will support clinical judgement; it will not diagnose a condition or decide on treatment by itself.
Finding clues in breathing sounds
A wheeze or crackle can offer useful information about breathing. MULTIPULM’s lung sound analysis tool is designed to help healthcare professionals examine recordings made with an electronic stethoscope or microphone.
The tool uses automated analysis to identify features in those recordings. Its potential value is in helping clinicians monitor respiratory health over time, alongside their other assessments.
Looking at mental wellbeing through voice
A short voice recording may contain clues about stress, fatigue or other aspects of mental wellbeing. MULTIPULM plans to use voice analysis to explore these signals as part of a wider picture of health.
This matters because living with several conditions can affect how someone feels as well as how they breathe. Voice analysis is intended to provide another source of information, not a diagnosis from a recording.
Supporting healthier daily habits
What happens outside the clinic matters too. MULTIPULM’s wellbeing platform is designed to help people follow aspects of daily lifestyle habits, such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep and mental fitness. The project also includes support for smoking cessation.
Information, goals and feedback could make it easier to reflect on habits and work towards changes that fit daily life.
Making breathing practice more engaging
Mastering breathing techniques takes consistent practice. MULTIPULM’s breathing games transform routine exercises into an interactive, motivating experience through real-time visual pacing and adaptive feedback.
The games aim to support respiratory control, alleviate stress, and foster sustained self-management. As supportive digital tools, they are designed to complement medical oversight and reinforce personalized patient care.
Paying attention to sleep
Sleep can affect how people feel and manage their health during the day. MULTIPULM’s sleep tool, is designed to assess aspects of sleep using information from wearable devices. It also offers audio intended to support relaxation and sleep.
Together, these features could help people and their care teams understand sleep patterns and discuss difficulties that might otherwise be missed.
Help shape what comes next
Digital tools work best when they reflect the lives of the people who may use them. If you live or work in Brazil, Serbia or Türkiye, or have experience of receiving or providing healthcare in one of these countries, we invite you to explore the MULTIPULM Community of Practice.
Patients, carers, healthcare professionals and other local stakeholders can share their experiences and give feedback as the project develops its tools and approach to care.
Visit the Community of Practice page to learn more and find your local registration form.
By Christopher Aguilar
Communication & Dissemination Manager - MULTIPULM / Future Needs
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