Knowledge of spirometry in foundation doctors and basic specialist trainees in medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Basic interpretation of spirometry is important to any clinician, since respiratory disease is one of the most encountered in everyday clinical practice.

METHODS: The aim of this audit is to assess the basic knowledge (via a questionnaire) of spirometry interpretation by foundation doctors and basic specialist trainees working in medicine, in Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. This included the interpretation of the values for Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and their ratio.

RESULTS: The maximum score from the questionnaire was 9. A total of 21 FYs and 30 BSTs participated in the data collection. The mean score for the FY group was 6.8, the least score being 4 (obtained by 1 participant) and the highest being 8 (obtained by 6 participants). The mean score for the BST group was 6.8 as well, the least score being 5 (obtained by 6 participants) and the highest being 9 (obtained by 2 participants).

CONCLUSION: Although relatively satisfactory scores were obtained from the two groups, it is still concerning that a significant amount of participants answered basic questions incorrectly; these basic principles being important in the interpretation of a spirometry result. Further education is required to standardise the knowledge on the basic interpretation of spirometry. Interpretation of lung function testing is important as this could affect management, including organising further investigations or identification of important reversible obstructive lung diseases such as Asthma.