Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of spirometry is essential for the accurate diagnosis of respiratory disease but it is underused in both primary and specialist care. In the current study, we have explored the reasons for this underuse.</p> <p>Method...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2011-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2466/11/37 |
| _version_ | 1828845942758965248 |
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| author | Partridge Martyn R Smith Susan F Roberts Nicola J |
| author_facet | Partridge Martyn R Smith Susan F Roberts Nicola J |
| author_sort | Partridge Martyn R |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of spirometry is essential for the accurate diagnosis of respiratory disease but it is underused in both primary and specialist care. In the current study, we have explored the reasons for this underuse.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five separate focus groups were undertaken with final year medical undergraduates, junior hospital doctors, general practitioners (GPs) and specialist trainees in respiratory medicine. The participants were not told prior to the session that we were specifically interested in their views about spirometry but discussion was moderated to elicit their approaches to the diagnosis of a breathless patient, their use of investigations and their learning preferences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Undergraduates and junior doctors rarely had a systematic approach towards the breathless patient and tended, unless prompted, to focus on the emergency room situation rather than on patients with longer term causes of breathlessness. Whilst their theoretical knowledge embraced the possibility of a non-respiratory cause for breathlessness, neither undergraduates nor junior doctors spontaneously mentioned the use of spirometry in the diagnosis of respiratory disease. When prompted they cited lack of familiarity with the use and location of equipment, and lack of encouragement to use it as being major barriers to utilization. In contrast, GPs and specialist respiratory trainees were enthusiastic about its use and perceived spirometry as a core element of the diagnostic workup.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>More explicit training is needed regarding the role of spirometry in the diagnosis and management of those with lung disease and this necessitates both practical experience and training in interpretation of the data. However, formal teaching is likely to be undermined in practice, if the concept is not strongly promoted by the senior staff who act as role models and trainers.</p> |
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d5c59b8624f42b29426de06b8ee68b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2466 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T21:39:10Z |
| publishDate | 2011-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pulmonary Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d5c59b8624f42b29426de06b8ee68b82022-12-22T00:11:06ZengBMCBMC Pulmonary Medicine1471-24662011-06-011113710.1186/1471-2466-11-37Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative studyPartridge Martyn RSmith Susan FRoberts Nicola J<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of spirometry is essential for the accurate diagnosis of respiratory disease but it is underused in both primary and specialist care. In the current study, we have explored the reasons for this underuse.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Five separate focus groups were undertaken with final year medical undergraduates, junior hospital doctors, general practitioners (GPs) and specialist trainees in respiratory medicine. The participants were not told prior to the session that we were specifically interested in their views about spirometry but discussion was moderated to elicit their approaches to the diagnosis of a breathless patient, their use of investigations and their learning preferences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Undergraduates and junior doctors rarely had a systematic approach towards the breathless patient and tended, unless prompted, to focus on the emergency room situation rather than on patients with longer term causes of breathlessness. Whilst their theoretical knowledge embraced the possibility of a non-respiratory cause for breathlessness, neither undergraduates nor junior doctors spontaneously mentioned the use of spirometry in the diagnosis of respiratory disease. When prompted they cited lack of familiarity with the use and location of equipment, and lack of encouragement to use it as being major barriers to utilization. In contrast, GPs and specialist respiratory trainees were enthusiastic about its use and perceived spirometry as a core element of the diagnostic workup.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>More explicit training is needed regarding the role of spirometry in the diagnosis and management of those with lung disease and this necessitates both practical experience and training in interpretation of the data. However, formal teaching is likely to be undermined in practice, if the concept is not strongly promoted by the senior staff who act as role models and trainers.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2466/11/37SpirometryTraineesGeneral PractitionersBarriers to use |
| spellingShingle | Partridge Martyn R Smith Susan F Roberts Nicola J Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study BMC Pulmonary Medicine Spirometry Trainees General Practitioners Barriers to use |
| title | Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | why is spirometry underused in the diagnosis of the breathless patient a qualitative study |
| topic | Spirometry Trainees General Practitioners Barriers to use |
| url | http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2466/11/37 |
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