There Is Increased Demand For Pulmonologists Within Home Healthcare

Pulmonology is one of the growing segments within homecare. For instance, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exacerbations and hospitalizations are the main contributors to high health care costs and cause a continuous pressure on hospital beds. Therefore, alternative treatment schemes for hospital treatment are being developed, one of which is hospital-at-home in which patients who would otherwise be hospitalised are being cared for at home by nurses. Although pulmonologists are more likely to hold responsibility at the hospital, pulmonologist supervision is required for most pulmonary/respiratory conditions in home care. Pulmonologists attend patients with more complex pulmonary diseases within home care, if needed. Therefore, the growing home healthcare trend is anticipated to increase the demand for pulmonologists.

Increasing incidence of respiratory diseases is also increasing the demand for pulmonologists across the globe. Respiratory diseases impose an immense worldwide health burden. Five conditions that are primary contributors to the global burden of respiratory disease include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute respiratory infections, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. According to the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS, 2019 report), nearly 384 million people suffer from COPD and 3 million die from it each year, making it the third leading cause of death worldwide. Nearly 334 million people suffer from asthma, around 10 million people develop tuberculosis and 1.6 million die from it each year, and an estimated 1.76 million people die from lung cancer each year. Around 80% of pneumonia deaths were reported in children under 2 years. Developed countries experience high levels of asthma, COPD and lung cancer. In developing countries, major problems include tuberculosis (TB) and other respiratory system infections. To improve respiratory health globally, it is important to ensure that everyone has access to the services they need to improve their lung health. Lack of health care and pulmonary care providers or a smaller number of respiratory care service providers results in delay in diagnosis and treatment, which could be fatal for these patients. Therefore, the need for early detection and treatment of increasing chronic respiratory disorders is contributing to the global pulmonologists market growth.

Reducing the effects of respiratory diseases is best accomplished by early detection, prompt diagnosis and effective treatment. Successful treatment is generally in accordance with standardized guidelines. Patients and healthcare workers can manage diseases better if they are properly trained and necessary resources are available. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO), FIRS member organizations and other governmental agencies or respiratory societies have developed recommendations for standards of care for specific clinical conditions including respiratory disorders. Unfortunately, effective and uniform implementation, promotion and adherence to these standards has been lacking. Great medical breakthroughs are only significant when they reach the communities and patients that need them. Care providers play a vital role here. The lack of adherence to these standards by pulmonologists is likely to challenge the growth of this market.