Run a training session

If you are unable to hold a spirometry testing event for WSD, then you could consider holding an event to teach other respiratory experts how to conduct a spirometry test.

Spirometry testing is the most widely practiced, most common and adaptable of all lung function tests and spirometers are a key instrument in the diagnosis of people with respiratory disease or to confirm that a person is healthy.

Competent and qualified professionals can plan a spirometry training event as part of World Spirometry Day 2012 to help raise awareness of the burden of lung disease and increase the chances of early diagnosis of lung conditions. By providing training for respiratory professionals who may not have the ability to obtain the latest respiratory materials or access the latest educational material, you can help fight the burden of lung disease across the world. It is also a good way to refresh staff who maybe require some reminders of the underpinning information or top tips on technique and encouragement skills.

In order to hold a spirometry training session, you must be a qualified respiratory expert and be familiar with spirometry testing. In some European countries (e.g. Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain & UK there are already established quality training programmes but in most other countries very little formal training in spirometry is in place. The European Respiratory Society website has a number of useful educational resources as part of the European Spirometry Driving Licence initiative which you can download to help run your session.

Why do I need to train people for such a simple test?

Despite looking like a simple test, spirometry requires staff who understand not only the limitations of their patients, but also of the test itself, because often it is the gateway to either further expensive diagnostics, or expensive  and possibly inappropriate treatments. There is a growing body of scientific evidence which shows that poorly trained staff produce poor quality spirometry readings which leads to misdiagnosis and overall poor use of resources. So join the leaders in spirometry and help train all colleagues to the same standard – for your patient’s sake.

View the Educational Video on Spirometry testing for clear instructions on how to perform a test.

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This video can be used to provide your trainees with step-by-step instructions for how to conduct a spirometry test and the background information required to do this.


View the ERS School Courses on Spirometry Training for information on the background and rationale of spirometry testing; information on when and when not to conduct a test and the requirements for a spirometry test.
Read the ERS Guidelines on the Standardisation of spirometry which addresses the most important aspects of spirometry and how to interpret the results.

The European Spirometry Driving Licence

A new European Respiratory Society (ERS) initiative to be launched later this year (September 2012) will help provide uniform training for spirometry across Europe. The European Spirometry Driving Licence will standardise educational documents and training in the practice of spirometry to strengthen patient care and improve quality of life for people with lung diseases.

Launched in 2008, the European Spirometry Driving Licence project has a specific training structure to train spirometry and ensure those being awarded the European Spirometry Driving Licence achieve competence to practice high-quality spirometry tests.

As part of the project, the organisers have designed a Train-the-Trainer programme to ensure that ERS experts are trained and qualified to oversee the training programme and certify those who have successfully completed their training. The programme will provide participants with the knowledge, skills and tools to teach high quality spirometry. More specifically, this training programme is a pre-requisite for those who would like to train and certify participants for the European Spirometry Driving Licence level I and level II within Europe.

The first spirometry train-the-trainer will take place as a post-graduate course during the ERS Congress Vienna September 1st 2012. Click here for more information and to register.

If you’re interested in becoming a spirometry trainer or if you would like more information on the European Spirometry Driving Licence in your country, visit the HERMES website for more information.

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