Lung Health / Respiratory Therapy

The Great Northern Family Health Team's lung health program provides care and support to patients through diagnostic testing, education, and establishing a patient-centered care plan to better manage their respiratory health.

 

You may request an appointment with our Respiratory Therapist through your family doctor. All visits are covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for patients of the Great Northern Family Health Team.

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Our Lung Health / Respiratory Therapy program provides:

• Assessment, monitoring and treatment of respiratory and cardiorespiratory disorders (i.e., Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• Review of family history, medical history, smoking history, allergies, symptoms, and triggers (things that bother your breathing).

• Education on chronic lung conditions including recognizing symptoms and how to respond to worsening symptoms 

• Spirometry Testing - testing and measuring lung function

• Tools and support to quit smoking - Smoking Cessation (STOP) Program

• Medication / Inhaler Review and Education

• Recommend referrals as needed to (e.g. pulmonary function testing; specialist consults).

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For more information please contact: 705-647-6100, press 2

 

Appointment Information

During your appointment, our Respiratory Therapist will complete an in-depth patient assessment and may perform spirometry testing (breathing test). 

 

Medications will be reviewed with you and education on the following topics may be provided:

• What is Asthma and/or COPD?

• Medications

• Smoking Cessation

• Proper Inhaler Technique

• Tools for monitoring respiratory diseases (Peak Flow Monitor, Asthma Diary)

• Individualized Patient Action Plans

• Symptomatic Relief Strategies

• Allergies and Environment Control

• Self-management skills

• Awareness of Community Resources

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What is Spirometry Testing?

Spirometry is a test of how well you can breathe and can help in the diagnosis of different lung diseases. The test is painless and usually takes less than 15 minutes but does require some hard blowing. You will breathe into a small device called a spirometer, which will measure the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs. This test may be indicated if you can identify with any of the following:

• You are an ex-smoker or a current smoker over the age of 40

• You cough a lot

• You become short of breath when walking quickly

• You are worried about the health of your lungs

• You are already receiving treatment for a lung disease (COPD/Asthma)

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SMOKING CESSATION

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STOP Program

The STOP Program helps patients understand the underlying reasons for smoking, develop a “quit plan” and select a “quit date”. Ongoing support and free nicotine replacement products are provided.

• Provides 1-on-1 counselling and free NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) as required

• For patients interested in quitting, arranging "Quit plan visits" with a smoking cessation counsellor and follow-up appointments

• For more information please visit Home | Intrepid Lab or contact our clinic to book an appointment with our Respiratory Therapist

• Smokers' Helpline: call 1-877-513-5333 or visit their website at http://www.smokershelpline.ca/

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Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy Program

The Great Northern Family Health Team has partnered with the Timiskaming Health Unit on a new Tobacco Cessation Initiative for pregnant people in the Timiskaming District.

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To be eligible, a participant must be a confirmed pregnant smoker aged 16 years and older and be less than 24 weeks into their pregnancy.

 

Participants will be invited to attend 4 sessions with the Great Northern Family Health Team’s Respiratory Therapist to receive cessation counselling and confirmation of abstinence. The program is incentivized for participants up to a maximum of $840.00 per participant.

 

The Great Northern Family Health Team Respiratory Therapist will:

• Recruit and refer eligible participants to the pilot project at prenatal service appointments.

• Complete the registration/intake form, explain the incentive program, obtain written consent to participate, provide tobacco cessation counseling, and offer support as needed.  

• Dispense nicotine replacement therapy and provide instructions on its proper use.

• Conduct abstinence testing on participants utilizing carbon monoxide breathalyzer testing and/or Cotinine test strips.

• Distribute pre-purchased gift cards and/or cash to eligible participants

• Document the outcomes of each smoking cessation session or follow-up appointment 

• Participate in the evaluation of the project

 

Schedule of Rewards

Session#1         Attend Face to Face & Set Quit Date      $50.00                                

Session#2         Four Weeks After Quit Date                     $50.00 + ($110.00 if abstinent)     

Session#3         Twelve Weeks After Quit Date                 $50.00 + ($160.00 if abstinent)   

Session#4         34-38 Weeks of Gestation                       $50.00 + ($370.00 if abstinent)   

            Total                                                                                                                    $840.00

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• Participants can discontinue their participation in the pilot project at any time.

• Participants must have achieved abstinence, as confirmed through self-reporting and testing at each follow-up appointment. Failure to achieve abstinence at the time of any follow-up appointment will make the participant ineligible for further participation.

• Participants will attend a maximum of four to six appointments for the purpose of assessing abstinence.
   

For more information on quitting smoking during pregnancy, please visit: Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy and Post Partum - Canada.ca

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If you are interested in our Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy program,

please contact our office at 705-647-6100 ext. 2

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