Allergologie, Jahrgang 42, Nr. 4/2019, S. 1-2
DOI 10.5414/ALX02084a
In all societies, the burden and cost of allergic and chronic respiratory diseases are increasing rapidly. Most economies are struggling to deliver modern healthcare effectively. There is a need to support the transformation of the healthcare system for integrated care. As an example for chronic disease care, MASK (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network) [1], a new project of the ARIA
(Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) initiative and POLLAR (Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma and Rhinitis, EIT Health) [2], in collaboration with professional and patient organizations in the field of allergy and airway diseases, is proposing real-life ICPs centered around the patient with rhinitis, and using mHealth monitoring of environmental exposure. Three aspects of care pathways are developed. (i) Patient participation, health literacy, and self-care through technologyassisted “patient activation”, (ii) implementation of care pathways by pharmacists, and (iii) next-generation guidelines assessing the recommendations of GRADE guidelines in rhinitis and asthma using real-world evidence (RWE) obtained through mobile technology. The EU and global political agendas are of great importance to support the digital transformation of health and care, and MASK has been recognized as a Good Practice in the field of digitally enabled, integrated, person-centered care by DG Santé.