How to Become A Pulmonologist In South Africa

A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in the respiratory system. From the windpipe to the lungs, if your complaint involves the lungs or any part of the respiratory system, a pulmonologist is the doc you want to solve the problem.

What will a pulmonary doctor do?

Pulmonologists treat medical conditions such as bronchitis, COPD, and sleep apnea. They also do testing to find the causes of symptoms involving shortness of breath and chronic coughing. Sleep apnea treatment and pulmonary function testing are also performed by pulmonologists.

What can I expect at a pulmonologist visit?

The doctor might need tests to make a diagnosis and recommend treatment. The tests might include blood work and a chest X-ray or a CT scan. Your pulmonologist could also recommend a bronchoscopy. In this exam, the doctor inserts a tube down your throat and windpipe.

What does a pulmonary function test reveal?

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders.

Below are steps to Become A Pulmonologist In South Africa

Clear 10 +2

Students need to be clear about how to become a pulmonologist in India after 12th. Here we will be providing you with a number of steps to become a pulmonologist after high school. Completion of school education with appropriate subjects.

The students are required to complete the 10+2 level of school education in science stream with an aggregate of 60 per cent marks or equivalent to it from a recognized board. 02Step

Entrance Examination

Several universities and colleges conduct entrance examinations to provide admissions. Students are required to appear in entrance examinations to get admissions in respective colleges and universities.

Admissions are provided on the basis of the evaluation of a student’s performance in the entrance examination of his or her preferred university. One needs to pursue an M.B.B.S. in order to become a successful pulmonologist which is followed by an M.D. degree.

Popular entrance examination

NEET PG

BHU M.D. / M.S. Entrance Test

Delhi University Post Graduate Medical Entrance Test

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam.

03Step

Pursuing a bachelor programme

Students are required to enroll in a bachelor’s degree programme after successful completion of 10+2. A bachelor’s in M.B.B.S. is the appropriate choice for becoming a pulmonologist.

Major Bachelor’s Degree Programmes

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

B.O.T. (Bachelor of Occupational Therapy)04Step

Post bachelor

After completion of a bachelor’s degree, students have to do a post graduation specialising in the field of pulmonology. Unlike other fields one cannot become a pulmonologist right after graduation, one has to complete his or her post graduation as well before becoming a pulmonologist. several options to lead their career path. 

Once a master’s  degree is completed he or she is required to do an internship for one to two years. After completing that he or she can begin practicing pulmonology professionally.

Major Master’s Degree Programmes

DM in Pulmonology

MD in Respiratory Science 

MD in Pulmonary Medicine

MPT Cardiopulmonary Science

Types of a Pulmonologist

Consultant Pulmonologist– There are several clinics and hospitals that may not hire a specialised pulmonologist but a consultant pulmonologist. The difference between the two of them is that a consultant pulmonologist is responsible for consulting a specialised doctor if his or her patient complains about any respiratory problems.

A consultant pulmonologist can also prescribe the patient with some medicines which can help him or her cure from the problem. But, one cannot perform surgeries if he or she is a consultant pulmonologist as it requires someone with a much higher experience.

Chest Physician– A chest physician is also known as a respiratory physician. There are several problems that have emerged in recent times which are related to respiratory problems. A chest physician specializes in diagnosing and proving cure for problems relating to the chest area of a patient. 

Chest Specialist– A chest specialist is at a level higher than that of a chest physician. A chest specialist can not only diagnose and prescribe medicines to the patent but he or she is also eligible for conducting surgeries to cure a patient. A chest specialist has to complete his or her education and go through several years of training before becoming a specialist.

Cardiologist: Individuals who opt for a career as cardiologists are physicians, who are specialists in dealing with a person’s heart condition. Cardiologist doctors are able to diagnose and cure the ailments of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases.

What is the role of Pulmonologist?

Individuals who opt for a career as pulmonologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the respiratory system in both men and women. Individuals who opt for a career as a pulmonologist are specially trained in the internal medicine, the lungs, and the cardio-pulmonary system which include the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and all the organs that help a person breathe.

Diagnosis

Individuals who opt for a career as pulmonologists’ first task is to diagnose his or her patients. There are several people who visit a pulmonologist every now and then with breathing-related issues. In order to provide a perfect treatment a pulmonologist has to correctly diagnose the problem first.

Testing

Depending on the diagnosis, a pulmonologist’s next step is to test the patient. There are several types of tests that are done to determine the exact problem so that an accurate and effective treatment can be provided to the patient. Individuals who opt for a career as a pulmonologist can either instruct his or her staff to conduct the test or can also perform them on his or her own.

Team management

Individuals who opt for a career as pulmonologists are responsible for working in partnership with the support staff to ensure that care, treatment, and service needs are met.

There are several duties that a pulmonologist needs to perform on a daily basis and for this reason managing the team is important. As a pulmonologist one is supposed to manage the team so that everyone can work towards achieving the same goal.

Maintenance work

Individuals who opt for a career as pulmonologists act as clinical expert within the hospital, which includes the dissemination of specialist skills and knowledge to all disciplines within the hospital.

A pulmonologist is also required to deal with direct patient contact, in difficult and stressful situations. A pulmonologist’s job is to maintain and promote effective communication within all the members of the multidisciplinary team and all hospital departments.

Surgery

This is the most critical responsibility of a pulmonologist. Individuals who opt for a career as pulmonologists are responsible for operating the respiratory muscles or organs depending on the disease he or she is aiming to treat.

Individuals who opt for a career as a pulmonologist’ job is to conduct proper tests before he or she begins with the process of respiratory organ’s surgery.

What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Pulmonologist?

Communication skills

Patience

Attention to detail

Hardworking

Science skills

When it comes to how to become a pulmonologist, the first thing that they should know about are the skills required to become a pulmonologist. Some of the essential skills we have mentioned below.

Patience: A pulmonologist faces critical situations where he or she is required to stay calm and make decisions that might be an important factor in a patient’s life. A pulmonologist is one of the most essential members when it comes to curing a respiratory disease.

The work pulmonary physicians do helps in keeping critically ill and medically unstable people alive. Situations like these require him or her to stay calm and level-headed. 

Science skills: Nothing can be achieved without deep understanding and interest in the subject. In order to become pulmonary physicians along with excelling in the career, it is important for the candidate to have a deep interest in science and technology.

A good academic background is a non-negotiable requirement in the profession that can be achieved only through knowledge and a deep interest in science and technology. 

Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most necessary skills required by a pulmonologist in order to perform his or her duties.

The team working for an operation must be closely knitted which can be achieved through strong communication. Being able to communicate effectively becomes important in a high-stake team environment.

How many years does it take to become a pulmonologist In South Africa?

Pulmonologists typically need a bachelor’s degree, a degree from a medical school, which takes 4 years to complete, and, 3 to 7 years in internship and residency programs.

Where can I study pulmonology in South Africa?

The Division of Pulmonology at the University of the Witwatersrand runs one of the largest pulmonology clinical services in the country. It also runs the largest clinical training fellowship in Pulmonology in the country.

How long does it take to become a pulmonologist in South Africa?

Duration of training

FMC55 Two years of clinical training, one year of research and completion of the dissertation.

What certifications does a pulmonologist need In South Africa?

To earn this certification, doctors must have their license and pass an exam. Pulmonologists can also earn board certification in pulmonary medicine, which shows their dedication to the field. They can earn this specialized certification once they complete a pulmonology fellowship.

How much do pulmonologist earn in South Africa?

R2,115,455 (ZAR)/yr.

Do pulmonologists do surgery In South Africa?

Most of the time pulmonologists do not perform surgeries, but they can, and do, perform biopsies. A pulmonologist may also be called in to evaluate or treat traumatic injuries to the chest. A pulmonologist may also perform other tests, such as an angiogram, that uses dye to test the arteries that serve the lungs.

How long do pulmonologists work a week In South Africa?

You can expect to work close to 50 or 60 hours a week if you work in a hospital that requires you to be on call or if you do lots of consults whereas if you work in the research sector or private practice you will be more likely to work a regular 40 hour week.

Are pulmonologists happy?

Pulmonologists rated themselves as 3.95 middle of the road in terms of happiness. Rheumatologists were the happiness of the respondents, with an average score of 4.09. Physicians specializing in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and neurology were the least happy, coming in with average scores of 3.88.

What do pulmonary doctors look for In South Africa?

Pulmonologists treat medical conditions such as bronchitis, COPD, and sleep apnea. They also do testing to find the causes of symptoms involving shortness of breath and chronic coughing. Sleep apnea treatment and pulmonary function testing are also performed by pulmonologists.

How much does it cost to see a pulmonologist In South Africa?

On MDsave, the cost of a Pulmonology Established Patient Office Visit ranges from R 1356.61to R 1852.58. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.