Overview
Pulmonologists diagnose and treat asthma COPD interstitial lung disease infections and sleep disordered breathing and often provide critical care support for respiratory failure. The specialty integrates outpatient management with bronchoscopy and ICU ventilatory strategies. Collaboration with thoracic surgery and rehabilitation optimizes outcomes.
Clinical Practice
Care includes pulmonary function testing bronchoscopy sleep studies and management of chronic respiratory conditions and acute exacerbations. In critical care settings pulmonologists manage mechanical ventilation ECMO and complex airway issues. Long term follow up addresses rehabilitation and oxygen therapy needs.
Procedures and Tools
Common procedures include bronchoscopy thoracentesis and endobronchial interventions and tools include chest imaging PFT labs and sleep testing equipment. Ventilator management and advanced monitoring are core ICU skills. Pulmonary rehabilitation and smoking cessation programs support chronic disease management.
Training and Roles
Pulmonologists complete internal medicine residency followed by pulmonary and critical care fellowship training and maintain certification in procedural and critical care competencies. Many engage in research and multidisciplinary clinics for complex respiratory disorders. Respiratory therapists and critical care nurses are essential team members.