This one day course will provide guidelines for interpretation of pulmonary function test results. Practice problems incorporate the recent changes in spirometry standards published by the American Thoracic Society to help the physician understand correct interpretation techniques. Other examples will be used to show the physician how poor effort, invalid maneuvers, limitations of equipment, and other factors may alter the interpretation. Guidelines regarding the use and selection of predicted values, and race adjustments will be presented.

New and better methods to identify significant changes in lung function will be taught. This information is very helpful in regards to identifying persons with true lung disease versus variability in the test. The role of spirometry tests in medical clearance exams for respirator users will also be discussed.

The manuals and workbook are a valuable reference for solving spirometry problems in the future.

This course is a "must" for persons who need comprehensive understanding of spirometry testing. At the conclusion of this course, students will be capable of recognizing acceptable spirometry maneuvers and will learn how to interpret test results while decreasing the false positive and false negative rate of obstructive and restrictive lung disease.

This course has been extremely valuable to former students.

Can "small airways disease" be detected by spirometry ?
What is a significant change in lung function ?
How does testing technique affect the ability to detect change in lung function?
Do all spirometers allow physicians to evaluate test quality ?