Dr Sharon Lam is a Respiratory and Sleep physician with extensive experience in managing complex respiratory conditions. She is also one of the consultants providing support in GP-Ask which has funding for a six-month Pilot service: if you want this to continue, please make use of it while it lasts.

GP-Ask is a clinician-to-clinican advisory service funded by the WA government and the Department of Health. It allows secure transmission of patient details to hospital specialists to facilitate non-urgent written advice to be provided within five working days, or to book a virtual case discussion (which the patient can also attend). At this time Respiratory, Cardiology and Paediatrics are available.

As a general rule, immediate life-threatening conditions are excluded from the service. More information can be found here.

Specialists are paid for sessions to review the information your have included in your request, and search through hospital records and other investigation providers you identify before providing a thoughtful response. Sometimes, the response letter will include general tips and advice not limited to this patient.

Sharon presented an interesting and complex case, outlining the preceding lung nodule workup and then addressing the question posed to the GP Ask service. The discussion included a review of management of COPD and asthma, and referred to Chris Kosky’s research into bicarbonate (over 32) and it’s association with type 2 respiratory failure.

There is a desire to incorporate the service into commonly used Practice software packages – once ongoing funding has been secured.

Using this service can be counted in your CPD hours if you keep a record of your reflective practice.