Dr. John Andrew Ronald

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

Pleural Diseases

• 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.
• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Identifying the underlying cause, such as viral infection or autoimmune disease, and managing pain and inflammation.
• Pleural Effusion: Performing diagnostic and therapeutic thoracentesis to remove fluid and identify underlying conditions like infection, heart failure, or malignancy.

Lung Infections

• Pneumonia: Management of community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and aspiration pneumonia.
• Bronchitis (Acute): Treating acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections, leading to cough and mucus.

Interstitial Lung Diseases Ild

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Utilizing antifibrotic medications, oxygen therapy, and supportive care to manage IPF symptoms and slow progression.
• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Diagnosing and treating lung inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled organic dusts, molds, or chemicals.
• 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.

Airway Diseases

• Asthma: Comprehensive care for reversible airway obstruction characterized by wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Management strategies for COPD, including medication, smoking cessation support, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

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

• Oxygen Therapy Prescription and Management: Assessing the need for and prescribing supplemental oxygen therapy for patients with chronic hypoxemia due to various lung conditions.
• Bronchiectasis Management: Care for individuals with permanently damaged and widened airways to reduce exacerbations and maintain lung function.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Referral: Coordinating with pulmonary rehabilitation teams to support patients with chronic lung diseases.
• Asthma Management and Education: Helping patients achieve optimal asthma control, reduce exacerbations, and improve their quality of life.
• Pleural Effusion Management: Diagnosing the cause of pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) and managing them, which may include therapeutic thoracentesis (fluid drainage) in an outpatient setting if appropriate.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Ronald. 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. John Andrew Ronald adhere to the scope of practice for Respirologists in BC and the standards of The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC).

At Mount Benson Medical Clinic, 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. Ronald frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• Effectively addressing wheezing sounds or a feeling of tightness in their chest when they breathe with Dr. Ronald's comprehensive respiratory approach often leads to the desired outcome of feeling supported and well-informed throughout their treatment journey, enabling patients to more freely and confidently engage in being able to lie flat in bed comfortably (for some conditions) and social interactions.
• Understanding the frustration pain in their chest, especially when they take a deep breath or cough can cause, Dr. Ronald tailors treatments to ensure patients achieve a significant reduction in their chronic cough or wheezing, allowing for renewed participation in activities like their child being able to keep up with peers during play and sports.
• Patients presenting with difficulty clearing mucus from their lungs can find lasting relief and achieve the important outcome of their child experiencing fewer asthma attacks and participating more fully in activities under Dr. Ronald's experienced care. This frequently allows them to resume sleeping soundly through the night and waking up feeling refreshed without the former limitations or discomfort.
• When patients discuss finding it harder and harder to breathe during exercise or daily tasks, Dr. Ronald outlines a path to successful and comfortable use of their CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, aiming to restore not just respiratory health but also the ability to comfortably feeling less anxious about sudden shortness of breath.

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

Mount Benson Medical Clinic, where Dr. Ronald practices, is situated in the Central Nanaimo, Departure Bay neighborhood of Nanaimo. The clinic enjoys a convenient location near Brooks Landing Shopping Centre and is accessible via the Regional District of Nanaimo Transit System (BC Transit). Please inquire about parking when you schedule your visit.

What should I bring to my appointment with Dr. Ronald?

To ensure a thorough assessment, please bring your provincial health card (e.g., Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC card), the referral letter from your physician, a complete list of all current medications (including dosage and frequency for prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, inhalers, and supplements), copies of relevant medical records, imaging reports (Chest X-ray, CT scans – reports are often more useful than just the images themselves initially), any previous Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) results, and a list of any questions you have. If you use inhalers, it's helpful to bring them to check your technique. If being assessed for sleep apnea, a sleep diary or information from a bed partner can be useful.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Ronald covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC)?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Ronald are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC in BC, provided you have 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 to inquire with Mount Benson Medical Clinic about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with your private insurance, if any.

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

Yes, in BC, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Ronald for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC. This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Ronald has the necessary background medical information. Please speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a respiratory assessment.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Ronald at Mount Benson Medical Clinic?

Your first visit with Dr. Ronald will typically involve a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of your medical history, the nature and timeline of your current respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, wheezing), how these symptoms impact your daily activities, smoking history, environmental exposures, and any previous treatments. Dr. Ronald 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. Ronald will discuss his diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations (like PFTs, sleep study, or bronchoscopy if needed), and will outline potential treatment options, working with you to establish health goals.

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

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a group of non-invasive breathing tests that measure how well your lungs are working. They assess lung volume (how much air your 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. Ronald 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.

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

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Ronald 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. Ronald 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 does a Respirologist / Pulmonologist like Dr. Ronald do?

A Respirologist (often called a Pulmonologist) like Dr. Ronald 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.

Mount Benson Medical Clinic
106-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC, V9S 1H1

Phone: (250) 753-3334

Dr. John Andrew Ronald is a licensed Respirologist in BC, regulated by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) under the Health Professions Act (British Columbia).

License Number: 28375

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/328831/Ronald%2CJohn

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