Dr. Giovanni Ferrara

As a Respirologist, Dr. Giovanni Ferrara diagnoses and manages a wide array of conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system, including but not limited to:

Airway Diseases

• Chronic Bronchitis: Addressing long-term inflammation of the bronchi (large airways), primarily characterized by a persistent cough with mucus production.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Management strategies for COPD, including medication, smoking cessation support, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Lung Infections

• Bronchitis (Acute): Treating acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections, leading to cough and mucus.
• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary): Involvement in the diagnosis and respiratory management of active pulmonary tuberculosis and latent TB infection, often in collaboration with public health.
• Pneumonia: Management of community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and aspiration pneumonia.

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): Providing follow-up care and management after a pneumothorax (air in the pleural space causing lung collapse) to ensure resolution and prevent recurrence.

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

• Inhaler Technique and Respiratory Device Training: Helping patients master the use of their respiratory equipment to improve medication delivery to the lungs.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) Interpretation: Expert interpretation of a full range of pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, bronchoprovocation) to assess lung health and diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD.
• Diagnostic Bronchoscopy: Performing flexible bronchoscopy to directly visualize the airways, obtain biopsies, and collect samples for diagnosing lung infections, inflammation, or cancer.
• COPD Management and Education: Developing strategies to slow disease progression, manage flare-ups, and enhance daily functioning for COPD patients.
• Asthma Management and Education: Ongoing management and support for individuals living with asthma of all severities.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Ferrara. 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. Giovanni Ferrara adhere to the scope of practice for Respirologists in AB and the standards of The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA).

At Dr. Giovanni Ferrara's practice, 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. Ferrara frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• Patients frequently come to Dr. Ferrara with concerns about feeling short of breath much of the time, even with little activity. By working together as a team, they typically aim for and achieve feeling supported and well-informed throughout their treatment journey, making a positive and lasting return to concentrating better at work or school without distraction from respiratory symptoms not just possible, but highly feasible.
• When fluid buildup around their lungs making it hard to breathe begins to noticeably impact daily life and well-being, Dr. Ferrara helps patients strive for an improved overall quality of life despite living with a chronic lung condition. This makes participating in activities such as playing with their children or grandchildren with more ease a pleasant and possible experience again.
• Many people seek Dr. Ferrara's professional help and expertise when dealing with experiencing breathing problems related to their work environment. The mutually agreed upon, collaborative goal is consistently successful and comfortable use of their CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, allowing a confident and satisfying return to valued life activities like being able to going on outings with family and friends without constant worry about their breathing.
• Dr. Ferrara often consults with patients whose their child having persistent coughing, wheezing, or frequent respiratory illnesses significantly limits their enjoyment of singing or playing a wind instrument if that's a passion or impacts their well-being. The clear goal of care is to achieve breathing more easily and feeling less short of breath during daily activities and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.

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

Dr. Ferrara's respiratory clinic in Edmonton is situated in the S Central: University of Alberta, Garneau, Windsor Park neighborhood. The clinic enjoys a convenient location near the Shopping & Nightlife District and is easily accessible via the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS), including the LRT and bus routes. Information regarding parking options can be provided when you call to book your appointment.

How is a Respirologist different from a Thoracic Surgeon or an Allergist?

While all three may deal with conditions affecting breathing, their approaches differ. Thoracic Surgeons are surgical specialists who perform operations on organs in the chest, including the lungs (e.g., lung cancer surgery, lung biopsies). Allergists (Allergist & Clinical Immunologists) diagnose and treat allergic conditions, which can include allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, often using immunotherapy and medication. Respirologists like Dr. Ferrara are medical specialists focused on the non-surgical diagnosis and medical management of a broad range of lung and respiratory diseases, using medications, inhaler therapies, diagnostic procedures like bronchoscopy, and management of conditions like COPD and sleep apnea. They often coordinate long-term care for chronic respiratory illnesses.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Ferrara covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Ferrara are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) in AB, provided the patient has a valid health card and appropriate referral. Diagnostic tests like PFTs and bronchoscopies ordered by a specialist 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 depending on provincial formularies and private insurance. It's always best for patients to inquire with the clinic about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any.

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

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

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

Yes, in AB, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Ferrara for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Ferrara has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a respiratory assessment.

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

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Ferrara are experts in the long-term management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). After a thorough assessment, Dr. Ferrara 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 can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Ferrara at the clinic?

The first visit with Dr. Ferrara will typically involve a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of the patient's medical history, the nature and timeline of their current respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, wheezing), how these symptoms impact their daily activities, smoking history, environmental exposures, and any previous treatments. Dr. Ferrara will then perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on the respiratory system (listening to the lungs, observing breathing patterns). Any prior imaging (Chest X-rays, CT scans) or test results (like PFTs) will be reviewed. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Ferrara will discuss their diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations (like PFTs, sleep study, or bronchoscopy if needed), and will outline potential treatment options, working with the patient to establish health goals.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Ferrara 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 (how much air the lungs can hold), airflow rates (how quickly air can be moved in and out), and gas exchange (how well oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood). Dr. Ferrara 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.

8440 112 St NW, 3-134 Clinical Sciences Building
Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7

Phone: (780) 492-2920

Dr. Giovanni Ferrara is a licensed Respirologist in AB, regulated by The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) under the Health Professions Act (Alberta).

License Number: 030175

Verify registration with The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA): https://search.cpsa.ca/PhysicianProfile?e=852dbe25-3497-43c2-a63c-c09288025098&i=463

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is typically required to see Dr. Ferrara. Dr. Ferrara 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.