Top Docs: Sharukh Lokhandwala, M.D.
EvergreenHealth Pulmonary Care
By Seattle Mag July 26, 2024
Questions & Answers:
Why did you pick your specialty?
I initially chose pulmonary and critical care medicine because I loved critical care. It allows one to see the intricacies of human physiology at work, while also supporting people during a particularly difficult time in their lives. Then, shortly after joining EvergreenHealth, I really began to cherish the continuity of seeing patients in my pulmonary clinic and developing relationships with them over many years.
What do you wish people knew about it?
Pulmonary medicine is as much art as it is science. Many times, in pulmonary medicine, we are piecing together a lot of information to determine a diagnosis. Then we must use what we know about our patients and partner with them to develop a treatment plan.
How do you support patients with their mental health concerns?
When someone is having difficulty breathing, it can clearly cause significant anxiety. I work to help patients breathe better to relieve that anxiety as well as work closely with their other providers, including their primary care physician, to address any other mental health concerns.
How is technology changing health care?
I think technology is making the world of health care more accessible. With the high level of collaboration that’s now possible thanks to innovations like secure electronic health records, I’m able to access and share information with other providers to deliver the best care possible for each of my patients. We also have safe, easy-to-use communication tools via messaging technology that [allow] us to discuss lab results, medication changes with patients, and even check on their progress after making a therapeutic change.
What’s the most important healthy habit for a patient?
As a pulmonologist, I emphasize to my patients that their lungs were built to breathe in clean air, and that smoking and vaping are counter to what our lungs were designed to inhale.
What questions do you wish patients would ask?
I would like patients to ask about what non-pharmacologic things they can do to improve their health. Lifestyle modifications including smoking cessation, increased physical activity, weight loss and dietary changes can have a profound impact on someone’s breathing.
What do you do for your own personal wellness?
I’m lucky to have a wonderful wife and two big dogs that force me to go outside and keep active. Being outside with them helps me feel centered, relieve stress and improve my physical fitness.
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