Bridging Specialties®: Timely Diagnosis and Treatment for Refractory Chronic Cough education program includes four activities:
Diagnostic Challenges in Refractory Chronic Cough: From Burden to Solutions
This activity examines the diagnostic challenges associated with refractory chronic cough (RCC) and the importance of coordinated, guideline-directed evaluation across specialties. RCC is frequently characterized by prolonged diagnostic delays, repeated empiric treatments, and fragmented care across specialties. Many patients experience months of persistent symptoms before a structured evaluation is implemented. This activity highlights practical strategies for applying a CHEST guideline-directed diagnostic pathway to improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary repetition, and support timely multidisciplinary coordination. Clinicians will gain tools to streamline evaluation and reduce patient burden.
Breaking the Code: Mechanisms and Future Therapies for Refractory Chronic Cough
This activity explores emerging scientific insights and therapeutic advances shaping the management of refractory chronic cough (RCC). Despite appropriate evaluation and treatment of common etiologies, many patients continue to experience persistent cough consistent with cough hypersensitivity syndrome. Advances in understanding ATP–P2X3 signaling and neural mechanisms have reshaped the conceptual framework for RCC and informed the development of emerging therapies. This activity reviews the neurobiology of cough hypersensitivity, current management gaps, and the evolving therapeutic landscape. Clinicians will gain insight into mechanism-based care strategies and patient-centered counseling considerations in RCC management.
A Guideline-Directed Interactive Infographic on Refractory Chronic Cough
This interactive clinical reference guides clinicians through a structured, guideline-directed approach to refractory chronic cough across four key domains: epidemiology and disease burden, the CHEST diagnostic pathway, current evidence-based treatment options, and the emerging therapeutic pipeline. Learners can navigate the algorithm at their own pace, with embedded clinical guidance at each step, from initial assessment and common-cause evaluation through neuromodulator sequencing and investigational P2X3 antagonists. A downloadable reference version is included for use outside the learning environment.
From Evaluation to Management in Refractory Chronic Cough - An Adaptive Case Simulation
This session places clinicians in an interactive patient encounter with a 41-year-old middle school teacher whose four-month chronic cough has disrupted her sleep, her classroom, and her daily life. Learners will conduct a history, select physical exam elements, order and interpret diagnostic testing, and work through a CHEST guideline-directed workup. They will also navigate real-world access barriers, including distance to specialty care, insurance requirements, and limited time off work. The case adapts in real time to the learner's specialty, presenting tailored decision points for primary care, pulmonology, and otolaryngology. This session includes a shared decision-making conversation leading to a personalized management plan.