Dr. Stephen Pearson Blackie

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

Lung Infections

• Bronchitis (Acute): Treating acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections, leading to cough and mucus.
• Pneumonia: Addressing acute lung infections to ensure proper recovery and prevent complications.
• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary): Respiratory assessment and follow-up for patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.

Pleural Diseases

• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Treating inflammation of the pleura (the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity), which causes sharp chest pain, especially during breathing.
• Pleural Effusion: Diagnosing the cause and managing the buildup of excess fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall (pleural space).
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung - Follow-up Care): Monitoring patients after initial treatment (e.g., chest tube) for a collapsed lung.

Airway Diseases

• Chronic Bronchitis: A component of COPD, managed with strategies to reduce airway inflammation and improve mucus clearance.
• Bronchiectasis: Managing this chronic condition where damage to the airways causes them to widen and become scarred, leading to recurrent infections and mucus buildup.
• Emphysema: A major component of COPD, characterized by destruction of lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.

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

• Asthma Management and Education: Comprehensive care for asthma patients, including personalized treatment plans, inhaler technique training, trigger identification, and asthma action plans.
• Comprehensive Respiratory Evaluation: Thorough assessment of respiratory health, including detailed medical history, physical examination, and review of previous tests and imaging.
• COPD Management and Education: Multifaceted approach to managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, focusing on symptom relief, smoking cessation, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Chest Imaging Interpretation: Collaborating with radiologists to integrate imaging findings into the overall diagnostic picture for respiratory conditions.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) Interpretation: Analyzing results from breathing tests to measure lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange efficiency.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Blackie. 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. Stephen Pearson Blackie 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 Blackie Stephen P Dr Inc, 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. Blackie frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• The primary focus for patients seeking help for fluid buildup around their lungs making it hard to breathe at Dr. Blackie's practice is consistently achieving quitting smoking and improving their overall lung health outlook. This facilitates a confident and meaningful return to valued daily activities such as feeling less anxious about sudden shortness of breath.
• When patients discuss their asthma not being well-controlled, with frequent attacks or need for their rescue inhaler, Dr. Blackie outlines a path to an effective and personalized management plan for their chronic respiratory illness, aiming to restore not just respiratory health but also the ability to comfortably laughing heartily without triggering a coughing fit or severe breathlessness.
• Effectively addressing feeling short of breath much of the time, even with little activity with Dr. Blackie's comprehensive respiratory approach often leads to the desired outcome of breathing more easily and feeling less short of breath during daily activities, enabling patients to more freely and confidently engage in participating in gentle exercises or a pulmonary rehabilitation program and social interactions.
• At Dr. Blackie's clinic, addressing wanting to understand their lung function test results means focusing on patient goals. Achieving feeling more confident in managing their respiratory condition day-to-day helps them get back to enjoying life, including being able to singing or playing a wind instrument if that's a passion.

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

Blackie Stephen P Dr Inc is situated in the Brentwood Park, Willingdon Heights neighborhood of Burnaby. The clinic is conveniently located near Metropolis at Metrotown and is accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Expo/Millennium Lines, Bus). Information regarding parking options can be provided when you call to book your appointment.

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

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Blackie 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. Blackie 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.

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) are medical specialists who diagnose and treat allergic conditions, which can include allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, often using immunotherapy and medication. Respirologists like Dr. Blackie 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.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Blackie at Blackie Stephen P Dr Inc?

The first visit with Dr. Blackie 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. Blackie 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. Blackie 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.

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

Yes, in BC, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Blackie 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. Blackie has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a respiratory assessment.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Blackie 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. Blackie are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC in BC, 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 to inquire with Blackie Stephen P Dr Inc about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with your private insurance, if any.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Blackie 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. Blackie 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. Blackie do?

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

Blackie Stephen P Dr Inc
6777 Charles St
Burnaby, BC, V5B 2H4

Phone: (604) 420-5925

Dr. Stephen Pearson Blackie 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: 1041

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC): https://www.cpsbc.ca/public/registrant-directory/search-result/351960/Blackie%2CStephen

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