Part of the National Asthma Council Australia's GP and Allied Health Professional Asthma and Respiratory Education Program, supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The Spirometry Training Update provides refresher training in the application, measurement and interpretation of spirometry in general practice for GPs and practice nurses who have undertaken formal spirometry training previously.

Developed in response to feedback from participants and presenters of the NAC's Spirometry Training Course, the Update workshops were held for the first time in late 2010.

Workshops are presented by health professional peer educators from our team of experts, which includes GPs, respiratory scientists and asthma & respiratory educators.

Key details

Participants: GPs, practice nurses, asthma & respiratory educators
Prerequisites: Completion of formal training in spirometry (e.g. NAC's Spirometry Training Course)
Duration: 2.5 hours (not including breaks)
Cost: Free

Learning objectives

Learning objectives for participants:

• Update knowledge and awareness of the role of spirometry in primary care
• Refresh practical skills to recognise and perform high quality spirometry
• Review interpretation and clinical implications of spirometry results, including differential diagnosis
• Update knowledge and awareness of the importance of spirometer quality assurance and its implementation
• Review strategies to incorporate spirometry testing systematically into routine clinical practice
• Reinforce confidence in performing, understanding and implementing spirometry

Professional development recognition

Workshop participants may be eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) points from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - Approved by the RACGP QI&CPD program for 2 points per hour. Total CPD points: 4 (Category 2). Activity number: 752455

Applications are in progress for recognition of the Update by the continuing professional development (CPD) programs of the following organisations:

• Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA)
• Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA)
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)

Workshop request

Each workshop is held in conjunction with a local host organisation, which is usually a GP network/division or primary care service. Hosting a workshop is generally quite straightforward, as the NAC coordinates the presenters and resource materials (including associated expenses).

The host organisation will need to:

• Schedule and organise the session
• Arrange the venue, audiovisual equipment and catering
• Promote the workshop to local GPs, practice nurses and asthma & respiratory educators
• Receive registrations and confirm attendee participation
• Be on-hand to coordinate the running of the workshop
• Provide a brief report on the workshop after the session

Funding is available to assist host organisations with their costs.

If your organisation would like to host a workshop, please complete and return the Workshop Request Form.

• STU Workshop Request Form (Word)
• STU Workshop Request Form (PDF)