TelePulmonology, remote care for lung conditions, is one of the fastest growing inpatient specialties. The demand for care is driven by several factors:
- An aging population
- A concentration of patients with pulmonary needs in rural communities
- The number of comorbidities associated with chronic pulmonary conditions
Reviewing the prevalence of a single chronic condition, like asthma, indicates why access to a pulmonary specialist is important to inpatient, emergency and outpatient follow-up care.
Asthma impacts approximately 19 million adult Americans. The American Lung Association reports that the Upper Northeast (Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont), West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon have the the highest percentage of adults with asthma. In addition, more than 10% of adults in Michigan and Alabama also have asthma.