A new lung testing pathway is available for use by family physicians to help in selecting the right pulmonary function diagnostic test at the right time. Specifically, it offers practical recommendations to guide testing for diagnosis in those over age six, and for the six most common respiratory presentations to primary care (Asthma, Chronic Cough, COPD, Dyspnea NYD, Interstitial Lung Disease, and Post COVID).
This quick reference tool was inspired and finessed by a multidisciplinary working group led by family physicians in partnership with the Medicine SCN™ (Respiratory Health Section) and the Physician Learning Program – in alignment with Choosing Wisely Canada’s pulmonary recommendations and Canadian Thoracic Society Guidelines; it helps to simplify confusing practice points and outlines provincial consensus approaches where no guidelines currently exist. The team looks forward to hearing how this pathway works for you, and suggestions are always welcomed.
You may also consider using HQCA’s Panel Reports for Asthma and COPD (specialist-led videos and lung testing metrics are found under the chronic conditions tab), which were co-developed by this same working group.
