Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests: Spirometry
Thomas Gross, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Externally Peer Reviewed
Intended Audience
This computer-based clinical education activity will be of interest and value to all physicians who evaluate and provide care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit and for all pharmacists who manage medications commonly used in treating patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
Introduction
These teaching cases are developed using patients seen at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The cases include complete patient information including appropriate radiographs, cardiograms, and pathology. The cases are followed by a discussion written by a specialist in critical care. Each of the programs are identified as having been reviewed for content by the Department of Medicine Virtual Hospital Editorial Board. After completing the case discussion, an online test and evaluation form are available for the user. These must be completed for you to receive credit for the activity. In addition to completing the form, you must register and pay the user fees to receive credit for your participation.
Objectives:
In completing this module, the user will accomplish the following goals:
- Better identify spirogram acceptability criteria.
- Better able to interpret spirograms.
- Better able to classify obstructive ventilatory defects by severity.
- Better able to recognize flow-volume loops that suggest upper airway obstruction.
Certifying Institution
The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.
Continuing Medical Education Credit
The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This educational activity has been planned and produced in accordance with ACCME Essentials and Standards for Enduring Materials.
The UI Carver College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 hour in category 1 toward the AMA Physician's Recognition Awards. Each Physician should claim only those hours that he/she actually spent in the activity.
Instructions for Receiving CME Credit
One hour of AMA Category 1 credit may be earned by working through the module, successfully completing the self-assessment tests, and responding to the evaluation questionnaire. The program consists of: Spirometry definitions and terms, Requirements for good PFTs, Interpreting spirometry, and testing materials. You can access each of these sections by clicking once on the appropriate heading at the beginning of the module or by clicking the"next page"and "previous page" buttons on the bottom of each page. You can review each section in any order and as many times as you wish. The CME exam consists of a series of multiple choice questions.
To earn CME credit, you must perform the following steps:
1. Register using the on-line registration form available at the beginning of the test.
2. Pay a registration fee of $15 for each CME credit hour offered. You can pay by sending a check in the appropriate amount, made payable to the Department of Medicine, to:
Lori Strommer Pace
Department of Internal Medicine
E328 General Hospital
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242-1101
or by paying using credit card by calling 319-384-9468. You may register, review the cases and take the tests for credit whenever you wish by clicking on the "Test for CME Credit" link. You can take the test questions for your own review by clicking on "Practice Test" link, however, you will not receive credit until you answer the questions in the "Test for CME Credit" section. To receive credit, you must obtain a score of at least 75% correct answers. Questions left unanswered will be counted as incorrect. If you score less than 75%, you will be given a second opportunity to retake the test once. You may begin reviewing the cases and take the exams as soon as you register, however, you will not receive credit for the CME activity until the registration fee is received.
Within approximately two weeks of the time we receive payment, a letter will be sent to you from the College of Medicine's Continuing Medical Education Division. The letter will certify that you have been awarded 1.0 hour of Category 1 credit toward the Physician's Recognition Award of the American Medical Association. Participation is confidential.
Inquiries, comments and questions regarding content and CME credit may be directed to Lori Strommer Pace in the Department of Medicine.
The overall period of time for studying and completing the CME activity is estimated to be one (1) hour.
Unless otherwise stated, none of the authors have any financial relationships with companies producing or selling products mentioned in this educational module. Any pharmaceuticals mentioned in the educational module which are investigational or unapproved by the FDA will be so identified
Date of original release for CME credit: June, 1998
Date of most recent review: Currently under review: (April 2004)
Date of next scheduled review: 2004 (sooner if scientific developments warrant)