Your First Visit: What to Expect
Beginning your journey to better breathing at our Plantation, FL clinic.
Your first appointment at Advanced Asthma Clinic marks the start of a comprehensive approach to understanding and treating your unique asthma. We aim to make this process thorough yet comfortable.
Before Your Visit
To help us make the most of your appointment time, please:
- Complete Online Forms: If provided, complete any online health questionnaires beforehand. This gives Dr. Hull time to review your history before you arrive.
- Bring All Medications: Bring all your current medications, including inhalers (with spacers if used), nebulizer solutions, pills, and any over-the-counter remedies you use for breathing.
- Gather Medical Records: If possible, bring copies of previous pulmonary function tests (PFTs), allergy tests, hospital discharge summaries related to asthma/COPD, recent lab results, and chest X-ray/CT scan reports.
- Document Symptoms: Keep a brief diary of your symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, triggers) for a week or two leading up to your visit. Note frequency and severity.
- List Questions: Write down any questions you have for Dr. Hull and the team. We want to ensure all your concerns are addressed.
During Your Initial Consultation (Typically 60-90 minutes)
Your first visit is focused on gathering information and understanding your specific situation:
- Comprehensive Medical Interview: Dr. Hull or a team member will discuss your asthma journey in detail:
- Your symptoms, patterns, and known triggers.
- Previous diagnoses and treatments (what worked, what didn't).
- History of exacerbations (ER visits, hospitalizations, steroid use).
- Other medical conditions, allergies, and family history.
- Impact of asthma on your daily life and activities.
- Your goals for asthma management.
- Review of Records & Medications: We'll review any records you brought and your current medication list and inhaler technique.
- Physical Examination: A focused physical exam will be performed.
- Initial Diagnostic Testing: Depending on your situation and what's needed, we may perform some initial tests during this visit, such as:
- Spirometry (basic lung function test).
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement (measures airway inflammation).
- Discussion & Next Steps: Before you leave, we will:
- Discuss our preliminary assessment and thoughts.
- Outline the plan for any further necessary testing (e.g., full PFTs, blood work, allergy testing).
- Make immediate adjustments to your current therapy if needed for safety or symptom relief.
- Provide education on your condition and treatment plan.
- Schedule follow-up tests or appointments.
After Your First Visit
- Our multidisciplinary team will review your case and all test results.
- A personalized treatment plan, including potential advanced therapies or clinical trial options, will be developed.
- You may receive a follow-up call from our nurse coordinator to discuss results or next steps.
- Your subsequent visits will focus on refining and implementing your personalized plan.
Begin your journey to better breathing today.