Respiratory Medicine

General description of the work Consultant Respiratory Physicians undertake

The Consultant Respiratory Physician deals with diseases of the lungs and chest. These include;

  • Asthma including Occupational Asthma
  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  • TB (Tuberculosis)
  • Pulmonary Embolus (clot on the lungs)
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Pneumonia, bronchitis, Legionnaires disease
  • Lung cancer
  • Pneumoconiosis, Asbestosis, Silicosis, Sarcoidosis

Most common clinical areas / procedures leading to a claim of clinical negligence

  • the treatment and management of patients with pneumonia
  • the diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolus
  • the diagnosis and treatment of TB
  • the diagnosis of lung cancer
  • the diagnosis and management of spontaneous pneumothorax

Sub–Specialities / Alternative and Additional job titles

The Consultant Respiratory Physician may be known as a Consultant Physician with a special interest in Respiratory Medicine. He/She may be known as a Consultant Chest Physician.

Usual Qualifications

The Consultant Respiratory Physician will have MRCP or FRCP (Membership or Fellowship of one of the Royal Colleges of Physicians) after his/her name.

Academic Appointments

The Consultant Respiratory Physician may be a Lecturer or Professor in Medicine or Respiratory Medicine at a Medical School. He/She may be an Examiner for one of the Royal Colleges of Physicians.