For some time, respiratory research and clinicians have recognised the important role that Real-Life Research (RLR) can play in improving patient outcomes.
In the field of therapeutic research, RLR can supplement the body of knowledge that randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide but also help fill some of the gaps that RCTs cannot address.
The Respiratory Effectiveness Group (REG) was created in 2013 to promote high-quality real-life respiratory research. REG is involved in establishing and communicating quality standards for RLR, promoting RLR projects, providing leadership and examples of excellence in RLR, offering ethical review for RLR projects, engaging all stakeholders interested in RLR and facilitating collaborative networking in this field.
To this end, REG has authored its Manifesto, putting forward the case for increased acceptance and utility of high-quality RLR in decision making and guideline development. The REG Manifesto is endorsed by the IPCRG and the WAO as well as many individual researchers and clinicians, for which REG appreciates and acknowledges.