Some clinics are supported by Rheumatology, Clinical Geneticists and Palliative and Supportive Care Specialists. Patients will be scheduled into combined- specialty clinics as needed.

In the lead up to, and during a clinic appointment patients may need a number of tests, including:

• Lung function tests (also known as pulmonary function or breathing tests)
• Blood tests (including access to research opportunities)
• Sixminute walk test
• High resolution CT scan of the chest
• Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)

New patients will have their past medical history and test results discussed at our weekly multidisciplinary meeting to determine a diagnosis and plan of care.

Specialist Interstitial Lung Disease Nurses

Outside of Clinic hours patients can contact our Specialist Interstitial Lung Disease Nurses. Our nurses are available to answer questions about your disease, your treatment, appointment details and any support you may need to manage your disease. Our nurses can offer support and advice regarding the use of oxygen, travelling with interstitial lung disease, co-morbidities and symptom management.

Monday to Friday, 8am-4.30pm (closed public holidays)

Lung Function Tests

All patients attending the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic will undergo lung function testing, including Spirometry, Lung Volume and Diffusion Capacity testing. Testing typically takes 30-60 minutes.

Testing will be performed in the days leading up to or on the same day as the Clinic. The results will be reviewed during the Clinic visit.

Physiotherapy

Six minute walk test

The six minute walk test is a valuable clinical tool for assessing exercise capacity and functional mobility in patients. Measuring the distance walked within six minutes provides important information about a patient’s oxygen requirements, disease progression, and helps Interstitial Lung Disease Specialists tailor treatment plans accordingly.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Patients attending the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic may be referred to the RPA Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a safe, evidence-based exercise and education program to help interstitial lung disease patients manage their condition. The program typically runs for 6-8 weeks and is held in the RPA Hospital Gym (located in the Institute Of Rheumatology and Orthopaedics Building, 59 Missenden Road, Camperdown).

Multidisciplinary Team Meeting

Each week, the RPA Interstitial Lung Disease Unit hosts a state-wide interstitial lung disease multidisciplinary meeting in which specialist Respiratory Physicians, Radiologists, Pathologists, Rheumatologists, Nurses and other health professionals meet to discuss the specific interstitial lung disease diagnosis and suggested management plan for patients with interstitial lung disease.

The interstitial lung disease multidisciplinary meeting has been confirmed as the gold-standard method of making an interstitial lung disease diagnosis. Sometimes making an interstitial lung disease diagnosis can be complex and much care is taken to present the relevant investigations and history at this meeting.