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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Spirometry Training Does Not Guarantee Valid Results

Brigitte M Borg, Moegamat Faizel Hartley, Mo T Fisher and Bruce R Thompson
Respiratory Care June 2010, 55 (6) 689-694;
Brigitte M Borg
Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University Medical School, Melbourne, Australia.
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Moegamat Faizel Hartley
Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University Medical School, Melbourne, Australia.
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Mo T Fisher
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Geelong, Australia.
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Bruce R Thompson
Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Monash University Medical School, Melbourne, Australia.
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many healthcare professionals performing spirometry in primary care have had less than half a day's training in spirometry practice, and the validity of the test results is questionable. Longer training periods, with or without follow-up training, may improve test validity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a 14-hour spirometry training course provides sufficient skill to produce valid results, and if follow-up training improves test validity.

METHODS: Nurses and physiotherapists from rural health facilities chosen by their local area health service undertook a 14-hour spirometry course facilitated by respiratory scientists with at least 5 years experience. Participants consented to on-site reviews at 5, 7, and 9 months after the course. Participants were assessed for adherence to American Thoracic Society (ATS) acceptability and repeatability criteria by undertaking an assessment of spirometry on a naïve subject and a retrospective review of a selection of spirometry results at each site at each visit. Further education was provided following the reviews at 5 and 7 months.

RESULTS: Fifteen participants from 10 sites were available for all 3 visits. The prospective phase revealed poor adherence to ATS criteria at 5 months, though this improved over the study period with follow-up training (40% at 5 months, 67% at 7 months, 87% at 9 months). The retrospective review showed that 37%, 60%, and 58% of the tests at 5, 7, and 9 months, respectively, met the ATS criteria and had correctly selected the best test.

CONCLUSION: A 14-hour spirometry training course alone does not provide sufficient skill to perform spirometry to ATS criteria, and short-term follow-up is an essential component for improving test validity.

  • primary care
  • quality assurance
  • spirometry
  • spirometry training

Footnotes

  • Correspondence: Brigitte M Borg CRFS, Department of Allergy, Immunology, and Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004 Australia. E-mail: b.borg{at}alfred.org.au.
  • This research was partly supported by the Department of Human Services, Barwon South Western Region, Victoria, Australia.

  • Ms Borg presented a version of this paper at the meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science, held in Perth, Australia, March 18-21, 2005. Dr Thompson presented a version of this paper and at the Congress of the European Respiratory Society, held in Copenhagen, Denmark, September 17-21, 2005.

  • The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.

  • See the Related Editorial on Page 780

  • Copyright © 2010 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.
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Respiratory Care: 55 (6)
Respiratory Care
Vol. 55, Issue 6
1 Jun 2010
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Spirometry Training Does Not Guarantee Valid Results
Brigitte M Borg, Moegamat Faizel Hartley, Mo T Fisher, Bruce R Thompson
Respiratory Care Jun 2010, 55 (6) 689-694;

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Spirometry Training Does Not Guarantee Valid Results
Brigitte M Borg, Moegamat Faizel Hartley, Mo T Fisher, Bruce R Thompson
Respiratory Care Jun 2010, 55 (6) 689-694;
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