Knowledge - Students should be able to:

1. Classify cough as [Chronic vs. Acute] and [Productive vs. Nonproductive].
2. Recognize the common causes of chronic cough.
3. Understand the various treatment and diagnostic options available.  

Skills - Students should be able to:

1. Obtain the pertinent historical and physical examination data for the evaluation of chronic cough.
2. Formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis.
3. Understand when to recommend laboratory testing versus a therapeutic trial of medications.  

Attitudes and Professional Behaviors:

• Students should appreciate the functional disruption of life secondary to chronic cough.    

Recommended References:

1. Irwin R, Curley FJ. The treatment of cough: a comprehensive review. Chest 1991. 99:1477-1483.
2. Pratter MR, Bartter T, Akers, S, DuBois J. An algorithmic approach to chronic cough. Ann Int Med 1993, 119: 977-983.
3. Braunwald, E. In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 1998, 14th Edition, pp 194-196.