The SCALE UP project, funded by FCT/COMPETE and coordinated by Joana Cruz, an integrated member of ciTechCare, was present at the 12th Conference of the Respiratory Diseases Study Group (GRESP) of the Portuguese Association of General Practice and Family Medicine (APMGF), held in Coimbra on 8 and 9 October 2026, with two presentations based on ongoing master’s research projects carried out within the SCALE UP framework.

One of the studies, which received an honourable mention in the Research Study category, was presented by Diana Cláudio, a physiotherapist, who shared, in poster format, the preliminary results of her research project. The study assessed health literacy, with a particular focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), among patients diagnosed with COPD and receiving care in primary healthcare services.

André Canha, also a physiotherapist, presented the findings of an exploratory study on the functional and clinical profiles of people with COPD and pre-COPD.

The studies were conducted in collaboration with the Lezíria Local Health Unit, namely the Salvaterra de Magos Community Care Unit and the D. Sancho I Family Health Unit.

These studies contribute to identifying the assessment and follow-up needs of people living with COPD and to better understand the knowledge and information required to manage the disease and maintain patients health. They also help identify difficulties experienced in everyday activities, even when respiratory limitations are less pronounced.

Find out more about the project: https://citechcare.ipleiria.pt/projects/health-promotion-and-care/scale-up/