Decision Support

Decision support is an extra layer of guidance to help you understand options, weigh tradeoffs, and leave with a clear plan—especially when breathing symptoms, treatments, or next steps feel overwhelming.

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Urgent symptoms: If there is severe breathing trouble, chest pain, blue lips/face, confusion, or fainting—call 911 or go to the ER.

When to consider Decision Support

You don’t have to wait for a crisis. Decision support can be helpful any time you need clarity, coordination, or a plan you feel confident in.

You feel uncertain about the next step in care, testing, or treatment options.
Breathing symptoms are affecting daily life, sleep, or anxiety levels.
You’ve had recent urgent visits, ER trips, or hospitalizations.
Medications are complex, causing side effects, or not controlling symptoms.
You want help understanding risks/benefits and aligning care with what matters most to you.
You want a clearer plan for “what to do if symptoms worsen,” including when to call vs. when to seek emergency care.

What happens during a visit

We focus on clarity, symptom priorities, and practical next steps—coordinated with your existing clinicians.

1) Review your symptoms and goals

We start with what’s hardest right now—breathlessness, cough, fatigue, sleep, mood—and what a “better day” would look like for you.

2) Understand options and tradeoffs

We clarify what each option does, what to expect, and how choices may affect daily function and symptom control.

3) Leave with a clear plan

You’ll leave with next steps, coordination points, and a practical strategy for symptom changes—including when to call and when to seek urgent care.

What to bring

A little preparation makes the visit more efficient and helps us focus on the decisions and symptoms that matter most to you.

Your medication list (or bring medication bottles).
Recent discharge paperwork if you were hospitalized or seen urgently.
Any recent test results you can access (labs, imaging reports, pulmonary testing, sleep study results).
Your top questions and your top symptom priorities (what you want improved first).
A support person if you’d like help with questions, notes, or follow-through.

FAQ

Is Decision Support the same as hospice?

No. Decision support can be used at any stage of illness and can happen alongside ongoing treatment. The focus is on understanding options, reducing symptom burden, and aligning care with your goals. Hospice is a separate service intended for a different stage and eligibility criteria.

Will this replace my pulmonologist or primary care clinician?

No. Decision support is designed to complement your existing team, not replace it. We help clarify decisions, coordinate priorities, and create an actionable plan you can carry back to your clinicians. Your primary specialists continue to manage your core diagnosis and long-term treatment.

What should I bring to the appointment?

Bring your medication list (or bottles), recent discharge paperwork if applicable, and any recent test results you have access to. If you’ve had imaging or pulmonary testing outside of our system, bring reports or disk access when possible. It also helps to write down your top 3 concerns and questions in advance.

Can a family member or support person join me?

Yes—if you want. A trusted support person can help with notes, questions, and shared understanding of the plan. They can also help describe what they observe day-to-day and assist with follow-through. If telehealth is used, they may be able to join from the same location.

Do you offer telehealth for Decision Support?

In some cases, telehealth can work well—especially for follow-up planning or when mobility is limited. Certain evaluations may still require in-person assessment depending on symptoms and clinical needs. The office can confirm whether telehealth is appropriate for your situation when you call or schedule.

What kinds of pulmonary situations does this help with?

Many: persistent breathlessness, chronic cough, fatigue, sleep issues, anxiety related to breathing symptoms, and complex medication regimens. It can also help when there are multiple conditions involved (lung + heart + sleep) and the plan feels fragmented. The goal is to reduce confusion and improve day-to-day stability.

Will you help me decide about tests or treatments?

Yes, in the sense that we help you understand what options mean and how they align with your priorities. We translate medical tradeoffs into practical expectations and help you prepare questions for your clinicians. Final decisions are always yours, and we coordinate with your treating team as appropriate.

How do follow-ups work?

Follow-ups depend on your goals and symptom course. Some people benefit from a short series of visits to stabilize symptoms and confirm next steps, while others need only one planning-focused appointment. We aim to keep the plan simple and coordinate handoffs so you aren’t repeating the same conversations.

What if my symptoms get worse suddenly?

We’ll help you create a practical “what to do next” plan during your visit, including when to call the office versus when to seek urgent care. If symptoms are severe (significant breathing distress, chest pain, blue lips/face, confusion, fainting), call 911 or go to the ER. If symptoms are concerning but not emergent, call the office for guidance.

How do I get started?

The simplest next step is to call the office to ask for Decision Support / Planning Info scheduling guidance. If you prefer, you can also schedule online using the appointment link. When you schedule, mention your top symptoms and what decisions you’re trying to clarify so we can route you appropriately.

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