Face-to-face workshops

Comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of spirometry for GPs and practice nurses.

Part of the National Asthma Council Australia's Asthma Education Program.

The Spirometry Training Course provides comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of expiratory spirometry in general practice. The 7-hour interactive workshop includes hands-on components to allow participants to apply their new knowledge in a practical setting.

The course is the result of an extensive consultation and development process involving members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (ANZSRS) and the NAC's GP Asthma Group as well as expert asthma and respiratory educators.

Workshops are presented by health professional peer educators from our team of experts, usually 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.

Launched in 2007, the course is Australia's first truly national spirometry training course for GPs and practice nurses. Under the last series (held 2021-2023):

• 99% of survey respondents believe the workshop met all the expected learning outcomes.
• 99% of survey respondents believed the workshop would influence clinical management.
• 86% of survey respondents either ‘partially’ or ‘entirely’ retained confidence at six months to perform quality spirometry.

Key details

• Participants: GPs, practice nurses, asthma and respiratory educators
• Prerequisites: Completion of pre-reading provided by NAC via host organisation
• Duration: 7 hours (including breaks)

Health professionals who have previously completed formal spirometry training may find our short refresher workshop more suitable for their needs. For details, go to the Spirometry Training Update section below.

Learning objectives

Learning objectives for participants:

• Identify the clinical indications where spirometry is recommended.
• Demonstrate how to correctly perform a spirometry test using role play and peer review.
• Interpret spirometry results to differentiate between respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD.
• Assess practice quality assurance procedures for spirometry.

Professional development recognition

Participants may be eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) hours from the following organisations:

• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP): Allocated 4.5 hours of Educational Activity and 1.5 hours of Reviewing Performance for the 2023-2025 triennium, Activity Number: 409754
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM): Accredited by ACRRM as an educational event for 6 CPD educational hours
• This activity has been endorsed by APNA according to approved quality standards criteria

Workshop request

Each workshop is held in conjunction with a local host organisation. 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, use the request form to express an interest in hosting
• arrange the venue, audio-visual 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.