Document Detail


Use of office spirometers in Flemish general practice: results of a telephone survey.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17220101     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: While office spirometry is seen as potentially useful and feasible in general practice, little is known about its use in Flemish general practice. Our aim was to describe the use of spirometers by Flemish GPs, characteristics of their spirometry practice, training needs and preferences, and attitudes towards office spirometry. METHODS: A telephone survey was set up in a random sample of Flemish GPs. Interviews were carried out by a GP researcher using a structured piloted questionnaire. RESULTS: 197 out of 243 eligible GPs (81%) were interviewed. Most GPs (66%) had never used an office spirometer, 17.3% were using one and 16.7% stopped using one. Time constraints (54%) and insufficient knowledge and skills (27%) were the main reasons for not using an office spirometer (any longer). GPs particularly used their spirometer to diagnose COPD and asthma, and less frequently in follow-up. GPs (67.9%), especially current users (91.2%), considered spirometry as a GP task. Spirometry training should be provided (86%) and spirometry by GPs should be reimbursed (79.5%). More information on spirometry would be very useful (62.3%), with a marked preference for training in small groups (86.8%). CONCLUSION: Although office spirometry is not widespread in Flemish general practice, GPs show an undoubted interest in it. They need educational and financial support to overcome prevailing barriers in establishing office spirometry on a routine basis.
Authors:
N Boffin; V Van der Stighelen; D Paulus; P Van Royen
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Monaldi archives for chest disease = Archivio Monaldi per le malattie del torace / Fondazione clinica del lavoro, IRCCS [and] Istituto di clinica tisiologica e malattie apparato respiratorio, Università di Napoli, Secondo ateneo     Volume:  65     ISSN:  1122-0643     ISO Abbreviation:  Monaldi Arch Chest Dis     Publication Date:  2006 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-01-15     Completed Date:  2007-02-12     Revised Date:  2008-06-02    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9307314     Medline TA:  Monaldi Arch Chest Dis     Country:  Italy    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  128-32     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Scientific Society of Flemish GPs (WVVH), Antwerp, Belgium. nicole.boffin@domusmedica.be
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Analysis of Variance
Belgium
Chi-Square Distribution
Data Collection
Education, Medical, Continuing
Family Practice* / education
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Physician's Practice Patterns
Spirometry / utilization*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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