Pulmonologists: Top Procedures, Stats, and How to Find the Right Specialist (2026 Guide)
October 11, 2025 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
A patient-friendly guide to pulmonologists — what specialists do, the most common procedures (pulmonary function testing, bronchoscopy with ebus, asthma and copd management), and what to look for when choosing one.
Asthma, COPD, and complex pulmonary disease. Below: the procedures patients ask about most, the numbers that put the field in context, and the questions worth raising at a first consultation with a pulmonologists specialist.
Top procedures & treatments
Pulmonary function testing (PFT)
Spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity.
Bronchoscopy with EBUS
Diagnosis and staging of lung cancer.
Asthma and COPD management
Including biologics for severe asthma.
Sleep-disordered breathing evaluation
Often co-managed with sleep medicine.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) care
Antifibrotic therapy for IPF and progressive ILD.
By the numbers
- COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT reduces lung-cancer mortality by ~20% in eligible high-risk adults.
- ~25 million U.S. adults have asthma.
How to choose the right specialist
Verify board certification, ask how many of your specific procedure the clinician performs each year, and review patient outcomes — not just star ratings. A pulmonologists provider who clearly explains your options, the evidence, and the realistic recovery timeline is worth more than the most heavily advertised name.
Use our directory to filter pulmonologists specialists by city, then bring this article (and the FAQ below) to your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I qualify for lung cancer screening?
Adults 50–80 with a 20+ pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years are eligible.
Are biologics worth it for severe asthma?
For eligible patients, biologics reduce exacerbations by 50%+ and cut steroid burden dramatically.
Topics covered