Dr. Charles D. Poirier

As a Pneumologue (Respirologue), Dr. Charles D. Poirier diagnoses and manages a wide array of conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system, including but not limited to:

Interstitial Lung Diseases Ild

• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Identifying and eliminating exposure to the offending antigen, and managing airway inflammation with medication if needed.
• Other Interstitial Lung Diseases: Evaluating and managing a wide range of less common ILDs, including those associated with connective tissue diseases, drug-induced ILD, and unclassifiable ILDs.
• Sarcoidosis (Pulmonary Manifestations): Managing the lung involvement of sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs.

Pleural Diseases

• Pleural Effusion: Performing diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis to remove fluid and identify underlying conditions like infection, heart failure, or malignancy.
• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Treating inflammation of the pleura (the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity), which causes sharp chest pain, especially during breathing.
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung - Follow-up Care): Monitoring patients after initial treatment (e.g., chest tube) for a collapsed lung.

Airway Diseases

• Emphysema: Managing this lung condition where the air sacs (alveoli) are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.
• Chronic Bronchitis: A component of COPD, managed with strategies to reduce airway inflammation and improve mucus clearance.

This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Poirier, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic for more information.

• COPD Management and Education: Providing education and support to empower individuals with COPD to actively participate in their care.
• Asthma Management and Education: Helping patients achieve optimal asthma control, reduce exacerbations, and improve their quality of life.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) Interpretation: Analyzing results from breathing tests to measure lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange efficiency.
• Oxygen Therapy Prescription and Management: Managing long-term oxygen therapy to improve exercise tolerance, reduce breathlessness, and enhance overall well-being.
• Diagnostic Bronchoscopy: Utilizing bronchoscopic techniques for accurate diagnosis of various lung pathologies.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Poirier. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any test or treatment depends on individual assessment and referral. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation or speak with your referring physician.

All services by Dr. Charles D. Poirier adhere to the scope of practice for Pneumologue (Respirologue)s in QC and the standards of The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

At CHUM, Pneumologie, the primary aim is to work collaboratively with you to manage your respiratory condition effectively, improve your breathing, and enhance your overall quality of life. Dr. Poirier frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• When snoring very loudly, choking or gasping for air during sleep, and feeling tired all day starts to interfere with daily life, such as affecting their ability to gardening or engaging in other light outdoor activities they enjoy, Dr. Poirier and the team work collaboratively with patients. Success is marked by early detection of lung cancer, leading to better treatment options and a return to comfort and confidence in their breathing.
• A frequent and rewarding goal for patients seeing Dr. Poirier about worrying about the effects of long-term smoking on their lungs is to attain being able to be more physically active without severe breathlessness. This success not only improves respiratory health but also paves the way for them to re-engage with activities like playing with their children or grandchildren with more ease.
• Through Dr. Poirier's skilled guidance and modern medical techniques, patients suffering from feeling short of breath much of the time, even with little activity often find they can readily achieve breathing more easily and feeling less short of breath during daily activities and once again enthusiastically pursue enjoyable pastimes like feeling more energetic and less fatigued during the day.
• Dr. Poirier often consults with patients whose trouble catching their breath after a recent illness like COVID-19 significantly limits their enjoyment of enjoying a leisurely walk in the park or around their neighborhood or impacts their well-being. The clear goal of care is to achieve reduced frequency of lung infections and hospitalizations due to respiratory problems and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.

Your personalized treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Poirier, will be tailored to address your specific respiratory needs and health goals. Dr. Poirier is dedicated to providing expert care and empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to achieve their best possible respiratory health.

Dr. Poirier's practice, CHUM, Pneumologie, is situated in a central location within the Montréal neighborhood of Montréal. The clinic is conveniently located near local healthcare facilities and community services and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Patient parking is typically available nearby or on-site.

Do I typically need a referral to see a Respirologist (Pulmonologist) like Dr. Poirier?

In Quebec, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Poirier for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). This referral ensures the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Poirier has the necessary background medical information. If you believe you need a respiratory assessment, speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor.

Can Dr. Poirier help manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD?

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Poirier are experts in the long-term management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis). Following a thorough assessment, Dr. Poirier develops a personalized management plan. This may include prescribing appropriate inhaler medications (relievers and controllers), educating patients on correct inhaler technique, developing action plans for flare-ups, advising on trigger avoidance, recommending smoking cessation programs, and coordinating pulmonary rehabilitation if beneficial. The goal is to optimize symptom control, reduce exacerbations, improve lung function, and enhance overall quality of life.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Poirier recommend them?

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a group of non-invasive breathing tests that measure how well the lungs are working. They assess lung volume, airflow rates, and gas exchange. Dr. Poirier might recommend PFTs to help diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or to assess the severity of a known lung disease, monitor its progression, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Common PFTs include spirometry, lung volume measurement, and diffusing capacity tests.

What does a Respirologist / Pulmonologist like Dr. Poirier do?

A Respirologist (often called a Pulmonologist) like Dr. Poirier is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases and conditions of the lungs and respiratory system. This includes conditions like asthma, COPD, pneumonia, lung cancer, sleep apnea, interstitial lung diseases, and pleural diseases. Their goal is to improve respiratory health, alleviate symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for people with breathing problems. They use various diagnostic tools and treatments including medications, inhalers, oxygen therapy, and management of devices like CPAP machines.

What are some common conditions a Respirologist like Dr. Poirier treats?

Dr. Poirier treats a wide spectrum of disorders affecting breathing and lung health, including asthma, COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), pneumonia and other lung infections, sleep apnea, interstitial lung diseases (like pulmonary fibrosis), pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs), and is involved in the diagnosis of lung cancer.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Poirier at CHUM, Pneumologie?

Your first visit with Dr. Poirier will involve a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, current respiratory symptoms, how these symptoms impact your daily activities, smoking history, environmental exposures, and any previous treatments. Dr. Poirier will perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on the respiratory system. Any prior imaging or test results will be reviewed. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Poirier will discuss their diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations, and outline potential treatment options, working with you to establish health goals.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Poirier covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Poirier are typically covered by provincial health plans such as the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC, provided you have a valid health card and appropriate referral. Diagnostic tests like PFTs and bronchoscopies are also usually covered. However, some specific treatments, devices (e.g., CPAP machines, some specialized inhalers), or medications may not be fully covered or may have co-payments. Inquire with CHUM, Pneumologie about potential out-of-pocket costs and check with your private insurance, if any.

CHUM, Pneumologie
1000 rue Saint-Denis
Montréal, QC, H2X 0C1

Phone: (514) 890-8000

Dr. Charles D. Poirier is a licensed Pneumologue (Respirologue) in QC, regulated by The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Code des professions & Loi médicale (Québec).

License Number: 94195

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=94195

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is typically required to see Dr. Poirier. Dr. Poirier and the team are dedicated to providing comprehensive respiratory care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or severe difficulty breathing, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.