longartsen

Longartsen are physicians who specialize in diseases and disorders of the lungs and the respiratory system. In Dutch-speaking healthcare settings, longarts refers to what is called a pulmonologist in English. They are typically trained as internal medicine specialists and then complete additional subspecialty training in pulmonology to diagnose, treat, and manage lung and chest conditions. They work in hospitals, pulmonary clinics, and academic centers, often in collaboration with general practitioners and other specialists.

Common responsibilities include taking patient histories, performing physical examinations, and ordering or interpreting tests such as spirometry, body plethysmography, diffusion capacity measurements, chest radiographs, and CT scans. They may perform procedures such as bronchoscopy and, in some settings, assist with cardiopulmonary exercise testing. They oversee treatments such as inhaled medications, oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and smoking cessation programs, and they participate in vaccination and preventive care for respiratory patients.

Typical conditions managed by longartsen include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, interstitial lung diseases (including pulmonary fibrosis), sarcoidosis, pulmonary hypertension, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. They also evaluate and treat sleep-disordered breathing in coordination with sleep medicine services. Pulmonologists often work across inpatient and outpatient settings and may be involved in acute respiratory failure management in intensive care units.

Education and research: longartsen contribute to clinical guidelines, participate in trials, and engage in teaching and academic activities. National and international societies, such as the Dutch society Nederlandse Vereniging voor Longziekten en Tuberculose (NVALT) or the European Respiratory Society, provide standards, education, and professional networks for clinicians and researchers in respiratory medicine.