Zvi G. Fridlender MD MSc, Chair of Israeli Society of Pulmonary Medicine
Pulmonary medicine, a major subspecialty of internal medicine, has advanced dramatically over the past decade and continues to grow at an impressive pace. The subspeciality is a uniquely multifaceted field, requiring thoughtful integration of the patient’s history, physical findings, laboratory data, and imaging to reach an accurate diagnosis and suggest proper treatment. This clinical depth is complemented by a rapidly expanding therapeutic arsenal for complex lung diseases. At the same time, technological progress has transformed our practice. Innovations in imaging and in both diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy–central components of interventional pulmonology–have evolved so rapidly that tools used only a decade or two ago now seem outdated [1]. All these advancements offer meaningful opportunities to enhance the health outcomes of our patients. What a fascinating specialty and what an exciting time to be a pulmonologist.