Medical training for Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) has made great developments over the years. Recent advances have led to the introduction of competency based training, with a strong focus on the development of specific competencies at basic, intermediate and advanced stages of learning. This ensures trainees hold the appropriate skills and knowledge to undertake safe clinical practice, and thus provide good patient care. One of the key topics covered in ICM training is respiratory disease and its management. Based on this, it would therefore seem appropriate to introduce a text that addresses each of the key areas.