Job File: Respirologist

Breathing is such an essential function for our survival that we have made it part of our body's automatism. Most of the time, we don't even realize that air is passing through our lungs, but when sickness gets in the way, everything stops. This is where the pulmonologist comes in. As the guarantor of the good health of our organs and respiratory tracts, the pulmonologist is an essential specialist in the health field, although his work is little known. In this article, we'll explore all the important elements of this profession, from training to salary. Whether you're a casual visitor or a specialist looking for a job opportunity as a pulmonologist, the following lines will help you answer any questions you may have.

What is a pulmonologist?

The pulmonologist is a specialist in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of respiratory disorders of all kinds. In this context, he is the guarantor of the good health of the lungs and associated natural pathways for the patients who consult him. From cancer to asthma, the pulmonologist treats a wide range of pathologies for which he or she has undergone long and rigorous training. It's a rich career, full of challenges and opportunities.

What are the main pathologies treated by pulmonologists?

On a day-to-day basis, the pulmonologist treats a large number of cases which, while they may be interested in the same field, are nonetheless very different from one another. Among the most common are:

• Apnée du sommeil: a sleep disorder that causes breathing interruptions during the night.
• Asthma : a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract.
• Chronic bronchitis: often linked to smoking, it manifests itself in a persistent cough and excessive mucus production.
• Lung cancer: one of the most common and deadly forms of cancer.
• Emphysème: a disease that destroys the lungs, often associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Pulmonary fibrosis: a disease characterized by the hardening of lung tissue, making breathing difficult.
• Pneumonia: an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Training and career paths to become a pulmonologist

The academic path required in order to become a pulmonologistis demanding. It requires advanced medical skills. This specialization includes internships, research and training. It consists of a first year of study in the Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS) or Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS), followed by two years of general medical studies to obtain the Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM), followed by a further three years to obtain the Diplocirc;me de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM). Finally, the young graduate will have to take the end-of-externship tests (EDN and ECNOS) and specialize in pneumology. He then became an intern for five years, before officially becoming a pulmonologist. To find out more about études de pneumologie, find our fiche études pneumologue.

After the training in pulmonology, some practitioners choose to specialize in specific fields such as pulmonary oncology, sleep medicine, pediatric pulmonology, interventional pulmonology, respiratory rehabilitation or lung transplantation.

The skills needed to become a pulmonologist

As with any medical specialty, the pneumologistjob requires the mastery of many skills, both technical and relational. Here's an overview of the qualities that enable these doctors to deliver care with serenity:

• Diagnostic skills

• Spirométrie: the pulmonologist uses this tool to measure the patient's lung capacity and assess respiratory function. Spirometry is essential for diagnosing conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Gazométrie sanguine: this technique enables the levels of gases (oxygene and carbon dioxide) in the blood to be analyzed, helping to assess the severity of respiratory disorders and adjust treatments.
• Mental imaging: the pulmonologist must be able to interpret chest X-rays, CT scans and, in some cases, MRIs to identify abnormalities in the lungs and airways.
• Bronchial endoscopy : this procedure, which involves inserting a tube fitted with a camera into the respiratory tract, enables direct visualization of the bronchial tubes and the taking of samples for biopsies or cytological examinations.
• Care and treatment skills
• Prescribing and managing treatments: the pulmonologist must have in-depth knowledge of the medications used to treat respiratory diseases, such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids or antibiotics.
• Oxygénothérapie : The pulmonologist must be able to prescribe and manage oxygénothérapie at home or in hospital for patients suffering from respiratory insufficiency.
• Non-invasive ventilation: this technique is used to assist breathing in patients with severe respiratory disorders.

• Competence in prevention and follow-up:
• Screening and prevention: the pulmonologist plays a key role in the early detection of diseases such as lung cancer or COPD.
• Long-term monitoring of chronic diseases: the management of chronic respiratory diseases requires regular monitoring and ongoing adaptation of treatments. The pulmonologist must be able to monitor the progression of these diseases and advise patients on the lifestyle modifications needed to manage their condition.

• Human skills

• Empathy and listening: understanding and feeling patients' concerns in order to offer appropriate support.
• Communication skills: explain complex medical concepts in a way that patients can understand.
• Stress and motion management: remain calm and effective in difficult or urgent situations.
• Patience and perseverance: accompany patients over the long term and adjust treatments consistently.
• Capacité à travailler en équipe: collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals for comprehensive care.
• Sense of responsibility and decision-making: make clear and responsible decisions regarding patients' health.

Salary of a pulmonologist

The salary of a pulmonologistvaries according to a number of factors: 

• L’expérience : pulmonologists at the start of their careers generally have lower salaries, but these will rise steadily as they gain experience and establish a loyal patient base.
• Location :when setting up, the practitioner will have to take into account certain criteria that will influence his income. In particular, he will have to take into account the standard of living of the local population, the usual rates charged by his colleagues, and the population density that will determine the flow of his patients.
• Types of practice :as we saw earlier, the pulmonologist can practice in very different conditions. A pulmonologist working in a free-lance environment will generally earn more than a salaried pulmonologist.

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? Find our pneumologist salary sheet!

The débouchés and career prospects

The carriage of the pulmonologistoffers a wide range of opportunities, both in terms of structures and status. After completing one of France's most challenging university courses, these specialists can choose to work in: 

• Hôpitaux publics: pulmonologists working in public hospitals treat a wide variety of patients, often in specialized pulmonology departments. They are involved in the diagnosis, treatment, emergency intervention and follow-up of serious respiratory diseases. Public hospitals also enable pulmonologists to participate in clinical research and the training of interns.
• Private clinics: in a private clinic, pulmonologists can offer specialized care with more personalized attention. Their work organization is more flexible, and they can focus on particular pathologies or interventions.
• Cabinet libéral: in cabinet libéral, pulmonologists practice as independent practitioners. They consult patients for diagnosis, chronic disease follow-up and assessment. This status offers them a high degree of autonomy, in return for the fiscal and human responsibilities of the places they manage.
• Centres de rééducation respiratoire: these centers are specialized in the care of patients suffering from chronic or severe respiratory illnesses. Pulmonologists take part in rehabilitation programs designed to improve patients' lung capacity and quality of life.
• Research centers: where pulmonologists focus on the study of respiratory diseases, the development of new treatments and the evaluation of medical techniques.
• Public health institutions: lung specialists can participate in the implementation of health policies, prevention campaigns against respiratory diseases, and epidemiological surveillance.

In résumé, the métier of pulmonologistis as exciting as it is difficult to accès. Once they've gone through the trials and tribulations of medical school, young doctors have a host of tools at their disposal to help them build a career that matches their image. Whether it's helping patients with respiratory problems, training the next generation of specialists or advancing medical research, the pulmonologist will always have something to do, and will be able to vary his or her tasks and objectives. Like other medical professions, the career of a pulmonologist is both stimulating and forward-looking, thanks to the gradual introduction of new technologies.

Did you like this article? Check out our fiche métier médecin généraliste!!