RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 CASPIR course. Practical spirometry for primary care, a nation wide programme
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P2417
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 J. Denis
A1 J. Rauws
A1 M. Verschuur Veltman
A1 I. Smeele
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P2417.abstract
AB IntroductionThere are concerns about the quality of spirometry performance in the primary care.Due to changes the reimbursement and practise accreditation, formal training is necassary. In 2008 a spirometry course was developed to improve spirometrytest and interpretation in general practices in cooperation with GPs with special interest in Asthma and COPD, lungfunction technicians and pulmonary physicians.Aim and objectives.The CASPIR (Copd Asthma SPIRometry) project was developed with the goal to create an interactive course for GPs and their staff The project is compliant with ATS/ERS guidelines and is an initiative of the 4 national professional organisations concerned with Asthma/COPD care in the Netherlands.Methods.The course consists of 5 modules (total 9 CME points) and a yearly refresher course. Key elements are: blended learning, organizational aspects, interdisciplinairy cooperation, workbook and quality control/maintenance.Results270 base courses were given, 3136 GPs and 2146 nurses participated and 150 refresher courses were followed. More than 90 % passed all modules and exams. Some participants did some extra work for their workbook.Conclusion.Primary health care professionals will reqiure appropiate training and standards to enable them to use spirometry as an effective clinical tool. Refresher courses are important to maintain skills and discuss spirometry with local expert teachers. Of the estimated target population in primary care 80% has followed the training.New projects are CASPIR online, an interned based programme to improve quality of the spirometry tests and CASPIR TCS, teleconsulting support, a diagnostic validation and quality assurance.