TelePulmonology with TeleCardiology Cross-Training Certificate Program

This structured progression ensures participants develop a solid foundation in telehealth fundamentals before mastering specialized clinical applications, operational requirements, and entrepreneurial skills. The program culminates in a comprehensive capstone project that demonstrates readiness to launch and operate a successful telepulmonology practice.

Historical and Conceptual Foundations

• History of telemedicine from NASA/VA to COVID-19 acceleration
• Telehealth models and modalities (synchronous, asynchronous, RPM, RTM, mHealth)
• Evidence base for telepulmonology and telecardiology
• Patient safety, emergency escalation, and location capture

Clinical and Technical Competencies

• Cultural humility, accessibility, and language services in telehealth
• Virtual physical exam skills (inspection, speech, cough, breathing pattern)
• Home environment assessment: air quality, allergens, smoke exposure
• Tech stack 101: HIPAA-ready video, EHR, eRx, eLabs, eImaging

Infectious & Inflammatory

• TB/LTBI workup and public health coordination
• PE risk assessment (Wells/YEARS) in tele-triage
• Post-ICU and post-COVID care for persistent symptoms

Specialized Populations & Multidisciplinary Management

Common Cardiovascular Conditions

• Hypertension remote titration and resistant HTN workup
• Stable CAD monitoring with clear ED referral criteria
• Heart failure RPM bundles (weight, diuretics, labs)
• AFib management: stroke prevention, rate/rhythm control

Revenue and Billing Models

This program provides mastery in billing for Chronic Care Management (CCM), Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), Transitional Care Management (TCM), eConsults, and standard telehealth E/M codes.

Practice Operations

• Scheduling templates, triage queues, no-show mitigation
• Team design (MD/DO/APP/RT/MA), SOPs, cross-training
• DME workflows (oxygen, nebulizers, PAP, spacers)
• Interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, USCDI, TEFCA)

Cybersecurity and Privacy Foundations

• HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules
• Security Risk Analysis (SRA) and mitigation planning
• Cures Act: information blocking and patient data rights

OIG & Workplace Safety

• OIG Compliance Program: Seven elements, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law
• OSHA for hybrid settings: ergonomics, safety, emergency planning

Artificial Intelligence Applications

• AI/ML for prediction, triage, and imaging support (validated and scoped)
• Ambient documentation and Large Language Models with PHI controls
• Ethical frameworks for AI: bias, transparency, and autonomy

Behavior Change and Communication

• Motivational interviewing and behavior change frameworks
• Virtual Group Visits for asthma/COPD management and smoking cessation
• Development of micro-videos and multilingual education libraries

The program covers the virtual management of Asthma, COPD, Asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO), Bronchiectasis, ABPA, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, and co-management of Cystic Fibrosis.

This includes Interstitial Lung Disease (IPF, Sarcoidosis), Pulmonary Hypertension, Sleep Disorders (OSA, CSA, OHS), Pleural Disorders, Lung Cancer Screening/Nodules, and Occupational/Environmental exposures.

The curriculum integrates evidence-based holistic strategies, including smoking/vaping cessation, specialized breathing techniques (diaphragmatic, pursed-lip, Buteyko), home pulmonary rehab, nutritional guidance, and mind-body therapies.

Graduates will be equipped to offer a range of services, including comprehensive virtual visits, remote diagnostic testing (spirometry, FeNO), specialized clinical programs like tele-pulmonary rehab and PAP adherence clinics, and various care coordination and remote monitoring bundles (TCM, RPM, RTM).

The cross-training portion covers the virtual management of Hypertension, Lipid Disorders, Stable Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Failure (HFrEF/HFpEF), Arrhythmias (especially AFib), remote CIED monitoring, and tele-cardiac rehabilitation.

Total Program Investment: $1,969

Flexible Payment Options

Quarterly Cohort Schedule

Case 1: COPD Remote Patient Monitoring

Profile: 68M, GOLD D COPD, O2-dependent, 3 hospitalizations/yr. Presentation: RPM flags lower SpO2, worsening dyspnea. Assessment: Video shows ↑ work of breathing; digital steth: wheezes. Plan: Action plan with steroid + antibiotic; inhaler coaching; daily RPM check-ins; ED criteria provided. Billing: RPM 99457/99458 + E/M 99214.

HFpEF + COPD Co-Management

72F with weight gain, dyspnea, ↑BP. Digital steth: basal crackles, no significant wheeze; ↑edema. Plan: temporary diuretic uptitration, daily weights, sodium/fluid guidance, COPD action plan review. Billed RPM + CCM, documenting complex MDM balancing both conditions.

A typical day involves a morning team huddle to review RPM/device alerts, blocks for follow-ups and new consults, dedicated time for device data review (PAP, smart inhalers), care coordination, group sessions like tele-pulmonary rehab, and business development.

Core Competencies

Graduates will achieve clinical expertise in virtual assessment, technical proficiency with remote devices, documentation excellence for compliant coding, health IT literacy, regulatory readiness (HIPAA/OIG), and a complete practice launch plan.

The program uses a comprehensive assessment approach including weekly knowledge checks, OSCE-style telehealth encounters, billing audits, and a final capstone project. The capstone requires building a complete "Clinic Playbook" with all necessary operational, clinical, and compliance documentation.