Improving Safety in Subspecialty Respiratory Clinics

Abstract

Respiratory medicine comprises a diverse range of subspecialty clinics, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, tuberculosis, pleural disease, and lung cancer.  Each domain is supported by extensive and evolving national and international guidelines. While these frameworks aim to standardise care and improve outcomes, their complexity presents practical challenges, particularly for trainees rotating through multiple subspecialties within limited timeframes.  Rotational training is a fundamental component and respiratory trainees are expected to develop competence across multiple subspecialty clinics. time-pressured outpatient consultations, this can lead to increased cognitive load, defined as the mental effort required to process and apply information.  High cognitive load has been associated with impaired decision-making, omission of key clinical elements, and reduced efficiency.