Pulmonology Career-00-5905
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by: maximum
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Word Count: 495
Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 Time: 8:51 PM
Career Overview A pulmonologist deals with diseases of the respiratory tract. It is generally considered a branch of internal medicine, but is also related to intensive care medicine. A pulmonologist works on treatment teams when a patient suffers from asthma, emphasema, allergies or other respiratory conditions or diseases. They often works with patients both for in and out patient treatment that have a history of pneumonia or other breathing difficulties. To become a pulmonologist in the United States, one must earn a medical degree (MD or DO), then finish a three year residency training in internal medicine followed by at least 2 additional years of subspeciality fellowship training in pulmonology. Completing a fellowship in pulmonary medicine, is the requirement to sit for the board certification examination in pulmonary medicine. Anyone passing this exam is board certified in Pulmonology. Most pulmonologists complete three years of combined subspecialty fellowship training in pulmonary medicine and critical care medicine. Pulmonologists run several different types of tests to determine how easily a patient breaths. They performs bronchoscopy to diagnosis problems. This is the insertion of either a flexible or rigid tube that contains a viewing end into the respiratory passage to see any problems or blockages in the passageways. A pulmonologist may work in a private practice or may be a salaried specialist working in a hospital or healthcare facility. Pulmonologists may work for managed care organizations or be part of HMO's. Some on-call or rotation work may be required for those pulmonologist that work for larger hospitals. Private practice pulmonologists may also be called out for emergency treatments for their patients. Job Outlook The demand for pulmonologists continues to increase at approximately the same rate as demand for other physicians. This increasing demand is expected to continue at least until the year 2014. In addition, the aging population will increase the need for pulmonologists as respiratory problems increase with age. According to the Department of Health and Human Services: By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000. People 65+ represented 12.4% of the population in the year 2000 but are expected to grow to be 19% of the population by 2030. This trend will assure continued and increasing demand for pulmonology in the US. The demanding training to become a board certified pulmonologist limits the number of individuals that enter into this specialized field. In addition the residency requirements also are very strict so there is always a demand for pulmonologists in hospitals and in private practice settings. Career Track For a pulmonologists that works for a managed care organization or a hospital or healthcare facility the most obvious career change is to move into a private practice setting. This allows more flexibility in both scheduling and seeing patients and also decreases the rotations required when physicians work in a hospital setting. Compensation The average salary of a pulmonologist working for a hospital or healthcare facility is between $160,000 and $200,000 per year. pulmonologists in private practices can earn significantly higher salaries.
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