Bronchiectasis Care Centers: Why Team-Based Care Improves Diagnosis and Treatment

When I was first diagnosed with bronchiectasis, one of the most confusing parts of the journey was figuring out who should be managing my care. 

Should I see a pulmonologist?
An infectious disease specialist?
A respiratory therapist?

Over time, I realized something important: bronchiectasis is a complex condition that often requires a team of experts working together.

Fortunately, in the U.S., this type of coordinated care is becoming more common. The Bronchiectasis & NTM Association has created a Care Center Network designed specifically to support people living with bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease.

These specialized centers bring together clinicians with expertise in diagnosing and managing these conditions. The goal is simple but important: reduce the time to diagnosis and provide comprehensive, high-quality care.

What Is a Bronchiectasis Care Center?
A bronchiectasis care center is a specialized medical program where multiple healthcare professionals collaborate to diagnose and manage bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. These centers typically include pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, respiratory therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, and mental health professionals who work together to provide coordinated, comprehensive care for patients.

Why Specialized Bronchiectasis Care Is Important
Bronchiectasis and NTM infections are being diagnosed more frequently worldwide. Yet many patients still experience long delays before receiving an accurate diagnosis or appropriate treatment. Patient surveys have shown that many individuals feel their care is fragmented and that support services are limited.

Other complex medical conditions have demonstrated that multidisciplinary care improves outcomes. Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, HIV, and cancer are often treated in specialized centers where multiple experts collaborate to manage all aspects of the disease.

Bronchiectasis care centers are built on a similar model.

What Patients Should Expect From a Bronchiectasis Care Center
A bronchiectasis care center focuses on coordinated, patient-centered care. While each center may operate differently, most share several key features.

Patients can generally expect:

• A team approach to care
• Multiple specialists collaborating to manage different aspects of the disease.
• Expertise in bronchiectasis and NTM infections
• Clinicians familiar with the latest research, diagnostic tools, and treatment strategies

More specific services will include:

Education and ongoing monitoring
Care centers often provide follow-up appointments and patient education between visits.

Access to additional specialists when needed
Patients may be referred to experts such as dietitians, mental health professionals, or pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

The Bronchiectasis Care Team
Because bronchiectasis affects many aspects of health, care centers rely on a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

Pulmonologists and Infectious Disease Specialists
Pulmonologists focus on lung structure and airway disease, while infectious disease physicians evaluate bacteria identified in sputum cultures and determine whether treatment is necessary.
Collaboration between these specialists is often essential when managing bronchiectasis and NTM infections.

Program Coordinator
Many care centers include a program coordinator, often a nurse, who serves as the main point of contact for patients.
This person may help coordinate testing, obtain medical records, communicate with providers, and assist patients with navigating their care.

Respiratory Therapy and Airway Clearance
Airway clearance is a cornerstone of bronchiectasis treatment.
Respiratory therapists teach techniques to help patients clear mucus from their lungs and guide them in using airway clearance devices such as nebulizers, positive expiratory pressure devices, and chest oscillation vests.

Nutrition Support
Bronchiectasis can sometimes affect appetite and digestion. Some patients experience reflux, reduced appetite, or unintended weight loss. Maintaining adequate nutrition is important for lung health, and dietitians can help patients develop individualized nutrition plans.

Mental Health and Social Support
Living with a chronic lung disease can affect emotional well-being. Anxiety and depression are common among patients with bronchiectasis. Mental health professionals and social workers
can help patients address emotional challenges, navigate healthcare systems, and connect with supportive resources.

Additional Specialists Involved in Bronchiectasis Care
Because bronchiectasis can be associated with other conditions, additional specialists may become involved in care.

These may include:
• gastroenterologists for reflux and digestive issues
• ear, nose, and throat specialists
• allergists and immunologists
• genetic counselors
• thoracic surgeons

For example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in bronchiectasis and may worsen lung symptoms.

How to Find a Bronchiectasis Care Center
If you are interested in receiving care at a specialized center, the Bronchiectasis & NTM Association maintains a Care Center Network across the United States. Even if most of your care is provided locally, many patients benefit from periodic consultations with specialists at these centers, who can help guide treatment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to go to a bronchiectasis care center?
Not everyone needs to receive all of their care at a specialized center. However, many patients benefit from at least one consultation with clinicians who have expertise in bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease.

Can I still see my local doctor?
Yes. Many patients continue to work with their local pulmonologist or primary care physician while also consulting with a specialized center. This collaborative approach helps ensure continuity of care.

What specialists treat bronchiectasis?
Bronchiectasis care often involves a team that may include pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, respiratory therapists, dietitians, pharmacists, mental health professionals, and social workers.

Why is airway clearance important?
Airway clearance helps remove mucus from the lungs, reducing infections and improving breathing. Respiratory therapists often teach patients how to perform these techniques and use airway clearance devices effectively.

These are encouraging times
Bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease are complex conditions, but patients should not have to manage them alone. Specialized bronchiectasis care centers represent an important step toward improving diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.

By bringing together pulmonologists, infectious disease specialists, respiratory therapists, dietitians, and other professionals, these centers provide comprehensive, patient-centered care that can make a meaningful difference for people living with bronchiectasis.