FAQ

Respiratory Specialist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of respiratory tract, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, complicated chest infections and lung lesions including lung cancer.

What are the common symptoms evaluated by a Respiratory Specialist?
Symptoms associated with the respiratory system normally evaluated by a Respiratory specialist are cough, shortness of breath, wheeze, haemoptysis (coughing of blood) and any infective symptoms associated with respiratory conditions.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
Most medical specialists will accept only referred patients. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition. Medicare gives you a higher rebate for specialist services if you have been referred by another doctor.

What should I bring with me when I come for a scheduled office appointment?
A referral from your General Practitioner or family doctor. All pertinent x-ray reports and test results from your primary care or referring physician. A list of all medications that you are currently taking and any known drug allergies.

How can my family doctor help me to obtain specialist medical care?
Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited for your current problem.

What should I expect during first visit?
Your first trip to the Respiratory specialist will probably be where he will study your files from your doctor and then prescribe some diagnostic tests for you. During your initial visit, the doctor will explain the specific procedure or tests he wants to do and help you understand the the respiratory problems you have and how he wants to investigate and treat it