A former flight surgeon and chief of aerospace medicine for the United States Air Force, Dr. Daniel Skotte has served as a family physician since 1983. Dr. Daniel Skotte works at High Desert Family Medicine in Sunriver, Oregon, which contains an onsite laboratory for pulmonary function testing.A pulmonary function test (PFT) can diagnose chronic lung disorders, such as asthma and COPD, or determine the cause of acute lung dysfunction, such as prolonged exposure to air pollutants. Patients with lung issues or heavy smoking habits may require a PFT before they undergo major surgery. No matter why a PFT is needed, the procedure itself is relatively fast and painless. Each PFT can help doctors understand a different aspect of lung function. Spirometry is a test that determines whether a patient’s lungs are inhaling and exhaling a healthy amount of air. A plethysmograph is an instrument that accurately measures each lung’s capacity. Other tests may be performed to determine if the lungs transfer enough oxygen to the bloodstream. While patients may experience slight dizziness or fatigue during and after the tests, lasting effects are minimal. Doctors use the test results to develop a treatment plan or assess already prescribed medication.
A retired colonel with nearly 50 years of service in the United States Air Force, Daniel Skotte most recently served as the medical group commander of the 146th Airlift Wing of the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in California. Daniel Skotte has held other roles in the US Air Force, including flight surgeon and chief of aerospace medicine. The US Air Force strives to provide its members with quality health care. To that end, the Air Force recruits healthcare professionals who are qualified to treat routine medical problems as well as special problems. Flight surgeons and aerospace medicine specialists are specifically trained to prevent, identify, and manage physiological problems that can occur in people who travel in air or space.To become a flight surgeon or aerospace medicine specialist, a physician must undergo accredited postgraduate training that emphasizes the significant physical challenges that can result from radiation exposure, G-forces, hypoxic conditions, and time in microgravity. Additionally, specialists are responsible for evaluating aircrew members to ensure that they are always in peak physical condition. Each year, all aircrew members must undergo physicals to maintain their credentials. To build and maintain trust between crew and physician, flight surgeons and aerospace medicine specialists log flight time each month and are considered key members of every aircrew.
