Introduction Chronic dyspnoea is a prevalent and clinically significant symptom, often indicative of underlying cardiorespiratory disease. It is frequently under-reported by patients and under-recognised in primary care, with these challenges exacerbated in rural and remote communities where disease burden is greater and patients experience barriers to timely diagnosis and management.
The BREATHE SMART trial aims to implement and evaluate an innovative, fully digital self-screening system for chronic dyspnoea, integrated into general practice workflows and information technology infrastructure. This approach seeks to enhance early detection and management of chronic cardiorespiratory conditions across diverse practice settings.
Methods and analysis This multisite proof-of-concept study will test a software platform delivering a preconsultation self-screening questionnaire across 40 general practices in urban, rural and remote Australia. The system identifies eligible patients (≥18 years, consenting to SMS communication with their practice), issues an automated SMS that administers a validated dyspnoea screening questionnaire, and summarises responses for integration into the electronic medical record.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 29 May 2026.
The item focuses on Can digital self-screening improve identification of chronic dyspnoea in Australian general practice?
A proof-of-concept protocol for the BREATHE SMART trial.
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