Qualifications

Definition
A pulmonologist is a physician who possesses specialized skill in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases. He is certified in internal medicine and satisfies the following criteria:

• Graduation from an approved medical school
• Completion of an American Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited internal medicine residency program. This program takes a minimum of 3 years
• A minimum of 2 years of meaningful patient contact and responsibility. Of the 2 years, 20 months must be spent in in-patient services, ambulatory settings, and in the services of dermatology or neurology. Four months may be taken outside the above areas, subject to program director approval
• The level of responsibility for patients must increase with each year of training

Examination & Certification
After completion of graduate education the physician must:

• Pass the Internal Medicine Board Certification Examination becoming certified in internal medicine, a prerequisite to becoming a pulmonologist
• Train in the subspecialty of pulmonary medicine, preparing for certification in pulmonology

Education in Pulmonary Medicine
The physician's education in pulmonary medicine includes:

• A minimum of 2 years of full-time graduate training in pulmonary disease, including instruction in the basic sciences with emphasis on molecular biology, pulmonary physiology, and pulmonary immunology
• 12 months of the 2 years must be spent in clinical training in diagnosis
• Competence in performing and interpreting tests and procedures with expertise in monitoring and supervising special services and facilities such as critical care or respiratory care units; pulmonary function laboratories; respiratory care techniques and services; and respiratory physical therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation facilities

Examination & Certification
After the above training, the physician must

• Pass the Board Certification Examination in pulmonary medicine to become certified in pulmonary medicine

Education in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

• An accredited program includes all educational experience and program content required for training in both pulmonary and critical care medicine
• A minimum of 3 years training
• A minimum of 18 months of the 3 years is spent in clinical training
• At least 12 months of clinical training must provide training in critical care units
• At least 6 months of training in critical care units must be devoted to the care of critically ill medical patients
• At least half a day, each week, for 30 months in pulmonary care training in an ambulatory care setting

Other Qualifications
In addition to expertise as a pulmonary disease specialist, the physician demonstrates the following:

• A broad competence in the treatment of critically ill adult patients, including tests, procedures, services, and treatments in other areas of medicine, such as cardiology, endocrinology, infectious diseases. The physician monitors critical care patients during their hospital stay and also after they've left the hospital.
• The ability to organize and manage a critical care unit, and work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• A working knowledge about medications used in critical care

Equally important, the physician understands the ethical, economic, legal, psychosocial, and emotional aspects of critical illness and critical care.

Examination & Certification
After the above training in both specialties, the physician takes the Board Certification Examinations in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. After passing these exams, the physician receives board certification in pulmonary and critical care medicine.