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. 2001 Mar;10(1):4-7.
doi: 10.1038/pcrj.2001.3. Epub 2001 Mar 1.

Feedback information from flow volume curves to the practice

Tjard Schermer  1 , Joliet Hartman  2 , Chantal Lauwers  1 , Hans Folgering  3 , Annelies Jacobs  2 , Ben Bottema  1 , Chris van Weel  1
Affiliations

Feedback information from flow volume curves to the practice

Tjard Schermer et al. Prim Care Respir J. 2001 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the use of feedback information provided by viewing flow volume (F/V) curves during spirometry performed by practice assistants improves spirometry test quality.

Methods: Randomised controlled single session crossover study. Eight practice assistants performed spirometry in healthy subjects (n=47). Two measurement conditions were applied, one allowing viewing of F/V curves during the tests ('unblinded') the other not ('blinded'). Outcomes were differences in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, FEV1 repeatability and number of manoeuvres per test. Two lung function technicians indicated their preference for either the blinded or unblinded F/V curve.

Results: Higher PEF values were observed for the unblinded condition (0.43 L/s, 95% CI 0.08, 0.77). The other outcomes showed no differences. One lung function technician judged that in 62% (p=0.012) of the pairs the F/V curve from the unblinded condition was better, the other technician judged so in 51% (p=0.349).

Conclusion: This study in healthy subjects showed that the use of information from F/V curves leads to a modest quality improvement of spirometric tests performed by practice assistants and can therefore be recommended for use in general practice.

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