Division of Respirology

Department of Medicine

Patient Care

An active regional tertiary care service serving Maritime Canada

The Division of Respirology provides specialized tertiary care and consultative services for patients from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The clinical responsibilities of our physician members include the following ambulatory and inpatient services:

Respirology Clinic
Rapid Referral Clinic (for urgent outpatient consults)
Inpatient consultations & emergency
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program
Sleep Disorders Clinic
Bronchoscopy and Interventional Respirology
PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) Program (a multidisciplinary program shared by rheumatology, cardiology and respirology specialists)
Lung Transplantation
Pulmonary Function Laboratory

Division members provide 24-hour, seven-day emergency on-call coverage for patients in Nova Scotia and play a significant role on the Department of Medicine’s intermediate medical care unit and on the respirology inpatient consult service at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

Unique programs

INSPIRED COPD

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma attacks are among the most common reasons for hospital admission for individuals with respiratory diseases. Division members play an effective role in helping people manage their condition without hospitalization, through patient education, collaborative and self-management strategies, and referral to smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Under the leadership of Dr. Stephanie Connidis, the INSPIRED COPD Outreach Program is recognized nationally as a leading practice example for service delivery in COPD care. The program is setting new standards for community-based care of advanced COPD and has significantly reduced admissions to hospital for severe COPD patients.

PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) Program

The PAH Program is a highly successful and widely recognized initiative that provides comprehensive care for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The program focuses on early diagnosis and treatment, investigator-driven research and education. As part of PAH, Drs. Paul Hernandez and Colm McParland provide extensive education to patients, their families and caregivers.

Halifax Hospice

Hospice Halifax and Nova Scotia Health Authority announced the eligibilty criteria and admission process for hospice residence at Hospice Halifax on February 12, 2019.

Department member, Dr. Stephanie Connidis is the medical director of Halifax Hospice as well as medical director of the INSPIRED COPD outreach program.

Dalhousie University