Visiting asthma specialist joins LGH Grand Rounds

Professor Bruce Thomson, Sukhwinder Singh Sohal, Dr Greg Haug and Dr Jim Markos.

March 2024

Every Tuesday at the Launceston General Hospital, the Clifford Craig Foundation helps facilitate Medical Grand Rounds in partnership with the School of Medicine.

Late last month we were thrilled to host visiting specialist Professor Bruce Thompson.

A respiratory physiologist and international expert on clinical respiratory measurement, Professor Thompson presented “Improving Asthma Outcomes- Perspectives of peripheral Airways”.

Small airway disease is a major issue in chronic lung disease such COPD and Asthma.

However, it remains very difficult to measure small airway changes clinically.

To measure early small airway changes, Professor Thompson presented about forced oscillation technique (FOT) as a non-invasive method to assess small airway function.

Considering its non-invasiveness, lower level of discomfort to patients than spirometry, feasibility, and cost effectiveness, it could be the first-choice diagnostic technique for detection of early respiratory changes in patients with lung diseases.

The aim of this presentation was to provide education to healthcare professionals regarding the clinical relevance of small airways disease in asthma patients.

This includes the introduction of different lung function tests available for assessing the small airways, and advocacy for the addition of respiratory oscillometry to spirometry.

It is hoped this new “gold standard” approach will help improve outcomes for patients living with asthma.

Thank you for joining us Bruce and for such an insightful presentation.

Pictured above is Professor Bruce Thomson, Sukhwinder Singh Sohal, LGH Staff Specialist of Medicine Dr Greg Haug and Dr Jim Markos.