A new lung clinic is set to open in Halifax in late November with the goal of addressing lengthy waitlists for breathing tests and serving as a recruitment tool to fill respiratory therapy positions in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Lung Wellness Clinic, in development for over two years, was conceived as a solution to the escalating issue of extended wait times for a brief spirometry test during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanja Stanojevic, an associate professor at Dalhousie University, expressed concern over the prolonged wait times for breathing tests in the region, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis for individuals with lung disease. The clinic will involve respiratory therapy students from Dalhousie conducting the tests under supervision, providing them with essential on-the-job training while helping reduce the backlog of patients awaiting testing.
Spirometry tests play a crucial role in diagnosing pulmonary conditions like asthma and COPD, which affects approximately 13% of Nova Scotians. Stanojevic highlighted the significance of accurate diagnostic tests to prevent misdiagnoses and ensure appropriate treatment for patients. The clinic, a collaborative effort between various healthcare entities and GSK Canada, aims to streamline the diagnostic process and enhance support for residents in need of respiratory care.
Catherine Gunn, overseeing the educational aspect of the clinic at Dalhousie, noted the positive impact it will have on reducing wait times and addressing staffing shortages in respiratory therapy. By offering local training opportunities, the clinic aims to retain students in Nova Scotia and bolster the healthcare workforce in the province. Plans are underway to reach out to individuals on the lengthy waitlist, with future considerations for referrals from primary care providers and potential self-referrals.
The initiative, funded by GSK Canada, demonstrates innovative collaboration between the healthcare sector, academia, and industry to improve healthcare services and meet the needs of Nova Scotians. Gunn expressed enthusiasm for the clinic’s potential to make a positive difference and emphasized the value of introducing new healthcare solutions.