ABSTRACT
Patients whose asthma is not well controlled (see discussions above of asthma therapy and monitoring) after two or three visits with the general internist, family physician, pedia trician, or other primary care provider may benefit from subspecialty expertise. Consulta tion may be sought from pulmonary specialists, allergists, or other physicians with special training and expertise in the management of asthma. Certainly patients with life-threaten ing asthma manifesting as the need for mechanical ventilation or intensive care unit man agement should be cared for in collaboration with an asthma specialist. Asthma patients whose disease is complicated by eosinophilic vasculitis, allergic bronchopulmonary asper gillosis, chronic sinusitis, unremitting rhinitis, or severe gastroesophageal reflux exemplify patients who may benefit from subspecialty comanagement.
