Chronic cough is a common presenting symptom to doctors. It is associated with significant morbidity and may be a symptom of a serious underlying problem. In this study we will examine the utility and efficacy of an evidence based clinical pathway for the management of chronic cough in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. This study will contribute to clinical policy and improve clinical outcomes and early diagnosis of respiratory illnesses. Specifically the aims are:

1. Determine if a standardised clinical management pathway improves clinical outcomes.
2. Assess the reliability, validity and direct health costs of this pathway.
3. Examine the feasibility of using the standardised pathway in a range of settings.
4. Describe the outcomes of chronic cough in Indigenous children.

This study will result in a substantial and achievable advance in the evidence on the management of chronic cough in children. It should contribute to clinical policy and form the basis of an updated clinical practice guideline with specific data relevant for Indigenous children. A standardised clinical management pathway has the potential to reduce the morbidity of chronic cough, unnecessary costs and adverse events of medications used as well as encourage early referral of children with chronic lung disease. By assessing the effect of the clinical pathway in a multicentre study in various specialist clinics, the results should be generalisable to other similar settings. The cohort study will also provide pilot data on the feasibility of this approach in the primary care setting. Outcomes of chronic cough in Indigenous children would also (for the first time) be described. As chronic lung disease often presents with cough, this pathway will hopefully support the earlier detection of respiratory problems that are highly prevalent in Indigenous Australians.