Since 2007, the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) has offered Australia’s first national spirometry training course for GPs and practice nurses, supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

With confirmation of funding under the Department's new Asthma Management Program, we are pleased to advise our Spirometry Training Course will continue until 2013.

Spirometry Training Course workshops are not being held at the moment while we review the course content to ensure it remains up-to-date and appropriate. We anticipate recommencing the workshops in the second half of 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Bell, Senior Program Coordinator

National Asthma Council Australia

Background

Following the model of the NAC‘s highly successful A-Team® asthma education program , the course is available to GPs and practice nurses through Divisions of General Practice across Australia.

The 6-hour interactive course is designed to provide participants with comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of expiratory spirometry in general practice. Hands on components allow participants to apply their new knowledge in a practical setting.

The course is the result of an extensive consultation and development process involving the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) and the NAC’s GP Asthma Group. It is coordinated by the NAC with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

Course format

The spirometry training course consists of three parts:

• selected pre-reading, which is completed in the participant’s own time
• a 6-hour interactive workshop, which includes a practical spirometry session
• a short test at the end of the workshop

A Division of General Practice hosts each workshop in consultation with the NAC.

The presenters are usually a team of one GP and one respiratory scientist. Suitably qualified demonstrators may also be involved to ensure a maximum ratio of participants to educators of 5:1 during the practical components.

All presentation material is provided by the NAC to ensure the information is consistent, complete and up-to-date, and to reduce the burden on presenters.

Resource kits, including the pre-reading, are provided for participants by the NAC.

Professional development recognition

Course participants who attended workshops in 2007-2009 may be eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) points from the following organisations:

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): This Active Learning Module has been approved by the RACGP QA&CPD Program. Total CPD points: 40 (Category 1). Activity no: 737277.
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): Accredited by ACRRM as an educational event for 7 PDP points. Activity code: EEACR-8001-NASC
• Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA): This workshop has been endorsed by RCNA according to approved criteria for 5 CNE points.

This is an ANZSRS endorsed spirometry training course for GPs.

Hosting a workshop

Hosting a workshop is usually quite straightforward, as the NAC will coordinate the presenters and resource materials (including associated costs). The Division will need to:

• Schedule and organise the workshop
• Arrange the venue, audiovisual equipment and catering
• Promote the workshop to GPs, asthma educators and practice nurses in the area
• Receive registrations and confirm attendee participation
• Distribute pre-reading to participants
• Be on-hand to coordinate the running of the workshop.

Funding is available to assist Divisions with the costs.

More information

For more information on attending a workshop, please contact your local Division of General Practice.

For more information on the Spirometry Training Course, including hosting a workshop or becoming a presenter, please contact:

Melissa Bell, Senior Program Coordinator

National Asthma Council Australia

Content updated 5 February, 2010