Pulmonology

In medicine, pulmonology (aka pneumology) is the specialty that deals with diseases of the lungs and the respiratory tract. It is called chest medicine and respiratory medicine in some countries and areas. Pulmonology is generally considered a branch of internal medicine, although it is closely related to intensive care medicine when dealing with patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Chest medicine is not a specialty in itself but is an inclusive term which pertains to the treatment of diseases of the chest and contains the fields of pulmonology, thoracic surgery, and intensive care medicine. Pulmonology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, as well as secondary prevention (tuberculosis). Physicians specializing in this area are called pulmonologists. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa and Australia the term "respiratory physician" is used rather than pulmonologist. In Canada, respirology and respirologist are used. Surgery of the respiratory tract is generally performed by specialists in cardiothoracic surgery (or thoracic surgery), though minor procedures may be performed by pulmonologists. Pulmonology is closely related to critical care medicine when dealing with patients that require mechanical ventilation. As a result, many pulmonologists are certified to practice critical care medicine in addition to pulmonary medicine. There are fellowship programs that allow physicians to become board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the same time.

Therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation or respiratory therapy may be initiated as a treatment after all or most other treatments do little to help the patient. Pulmonary rehabilitation is for patients whose respiratory function has decreased or improved very little, even with extensive medical treatment. Pulmonary rehabilitation is intended to educate the patient, the family, and improve the overall quality of life and prognosis for the patient.

Training
In the United States, pulmonologists are physicians who, after receiving a medical degree (MD or DO), complete residency training in internal medicine (3 years), followed by at least 2 additional years of subspeciality fellowship training in pulmonology. After satisfactorily completing a fellowship in pulmonary medicine, he or she is permitted to take the board certification examination in pulmonary medicine. After passing this exam, he or she is now board certified. Most pulmonologists complete 3 years of combined subspecialty fellowship training in pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine. In the United States, pediatric pulmonologists are physicians who, after receiving a medical degree (MD or DO), complete residency training in pediatrics (3 years), followed by at least 3 additional years of subspeciality fellowship training in pulmonology.

Physician salary
After completing residency and fellowships, starting pulmonologists usually start out by making around $100,000 per year. This varies greatly on factors such as skill, size of practice, and location of practice. After experience is earned, the practice is well known, and there is a good referral rate (which means that many General Practitioners recommend pulmonary patients to the practice), experienced pulmonologists make anywhere from $120,000 to $300,000 per year.