Pulmonologist

Pulmonologist: is a physician that treats diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory tract. The most common means of treatment is through the use of medications either by inhalation or in oral form.

In severe respiratory disease this specialist will use oxygen therapy and if this does not bring on relief, the patient will be placed on a mechanical ventilator.

Quick Facts

Competitiveness: Moderate

Length of training: 5 years

Number of fellowship programs: 33

Number of fellows in training: 106

Number in U.S. currently Board Certified in specialty: 9,245

First year median compensation: $140,000

Mean number of hours per week in patient care activities: 53

Residency Information

You will complete a 3 year residency in internal medicine, followed by a 2 year fellowship in pulmonary disease (some fellowships are 3 years in length).

Why Choose

Doctors are attracted to this specialty during their residency years. Many physicians like the combination of invasive procedures and critical care coupled to the intellectual stimulation required in internal medicine.

Cerebal skills are highly valued in this specialty.

Typical Schedule

There is a lot of variation in this specialty you can spend most of your time in an office-based practice or be at the hospital all the time.

While in the hospital your time will be spent making rounds on intensive care patients, conducting procedures or supervising the pulmonary function laboratory.

In this medical specialty you will constantly encounter patients suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.

If You're Interested

It is good to complete a radiology rotation while in medical school. You will find a background in physiology and infectious diseases very helpful as you will apply these concepts while treating your patients.

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