Feedback Reports and e-Learning in Primary Care Spirometry

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Spirometry is a biomedical test to measure lung function in subject who (may) have a chronic respiratory condition. Performing the test requires a certain level of training and experience from the health care professional who conducts the test, and sufficient cooperation of the patient. Although the test is widely used in primary care in many countries, the quality of the test performance seems limited and needs improvement in order to avoid false-positive and false-negative test interpretations. In this study, the researchers investigated whether a combination of e-learning and bimonthly written performance feedback to family practice nurses and assistance regarding their spirometry tests improves the rate of adequate tests.

Official Title
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Feedback Reports and E-learning to Support Spirometry Test Performance in Dutch Family Practices

Conditions
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Respiratory Tract Diseases, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Asthma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: e-learning & performance feedback
* Other: usual practice


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria for Family Practices: collaboration with Elkerliek Hospital Helmond through regional integrated care support service ('QUARTZ') purchased spirometer through this support service have implemented spirometry as a part of routine patient care Inclusion Criteria for Patients: registered in one of the participating family practices performed a spirometry test as a part of routine care during the observation period of the study Exclusion Criteria for Patients: age < 10 years

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 10 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: e-learning & performance feedback<br>Initial e-learning by studying CD-Rom 'Spirometry Fundamentals', followed by repeated periodic performance feedback on spirometry test quality | Other: e-learning & performance feedback<br>* Initial e-learning by studying CD-Rom 'Spirometry Fundamentals', followed by repeated periodic performance feedback on spirometry test quality<br>|
| Active Comparator: Usual practice<br>Usual practice regarding spirometry execution in family practice | Other: usual practice<br>* Usual practice regarding spirometry execution in family practice<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proportion of spirometry tests with ≥2 acceptable blows according to 2005 ERS/ATS criteria that were also repeatable for both FEV1 and FVC |  | 12 months prospective follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Proportions of tests with ≥2 acceptable blows according to 2005 ERS/ATS criteria |  | 12 months prospective follow-up | 
| Proportions of spirometry tests with ≥2 blows meeting 2005 ERS/ATS end-of-test criteria |  | 12 months prospective follow-up | 
| Proportions of spirometry tests with A to C grade according to scholastic-type quality grading system by Ferguson et al (2000) |  | 12 months prospective follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Spirometry, Family Practice, Randomized Controlled Trial, Feedback, Intervention Studies