Book excerpt: The Essential Flexible Bronchoscopist is comprised of six multiple choice question/answer self-learning modules (186 total questions and answers) dedicated to flexible bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to examine the larynx, tracheal and bronchial tree. Each module also contains numerous a list of module-specific competency-based learning objectives and a ten question post-test addressing fundamentals of flexible bronchoscopy. This novel text and well-illustrated contains information pertaining to topics such as anatomy and airway abnormalities, patient preparation, indications, contraindications and complications, techniques and solutions to technical problems, lung cancer and infections, bronchoalveolar lavage, lung biopsy techniques, therapeutic and interventional bronchoscopy, anesthesia and medications, equipment and its maintenance, infection control, images of specific airway disease abnormalities, as well as bronchoscopy history and education. The Essential Flexible Bronchoscopist provides educators, program directors, medical practitioners, and physicians in-training with an in-depth, readily accessible and readable competency-oriented tool that enhances progress along the learning curve from novice to competent practitioner. Since the first edition of this volume, The Essential Flexible Bronchoscopist has been translated into thirteen languages, and is recognized around the world as an essential training resource in pulmonary/critical care medicine and interventional pulmonology.