Spirometry & Screening: Critical Interpretation & Practice

Module Code: HEA3077

Venue: Respiratory Education UK, Aintree
Cost: £ 640

Introduction

This module aims to provide healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills required to perform, interpret and critically analyse issues pertaining to spirometry as a tool for screening, diagnosing and assessing respiratory disease, utilising an evidence based approach

Successful completion of this module will result in joint accreditation in the form of a professional certificate of accreditation from the ARTP (Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology), along with the academic credits awarded by Edge Hill University

Module Format

The module is run on a blended learning basis supported by a comprehensive course pack and three structured study days over 20 weeks, which will include online and classroom discussion, workshops and lectures ensuring that theory and practice are integrated

Aims

This module will enable healthcare professionals to:

Demonstrate the process of performing spirometry
Examine the importance of correctly performing spirometry and critically apply this to the interpretation of results
Demonstrate an understanding of concepts of standardisation and reproducibility as they apply to the process of recording and interpreting spirometry, and demonstrate a critical awareness of issues such as the implications of ethnocentricity of normal values
Demonstrate a critical awareness of some of the difficulties in applying spirometry results to specific individuals
Critically evaluate current research and literature relating to the use of spirometry as a screening tool, appraising the case for screening, implementation of case finding strategies, improving diagnostic accuracy and benefits
Critically appraise the legal, ethical and moral issues in the context of screening patients for respiratory disease

Course Content

The content of this module includes:

Applied anatomy and physiology e.g. lung volume, common disorders
Patient assessment including spirometry within the context of full clinical history and examination
Performing Spirometry including rationale, care and use of equipment e.g. calibration, patient preparation and current guidelines
Interpretation of spirometry including lung function terminology, calculations and their significance
Assessment of reliability, validity, reproducibility and acceptability of tracing
Contention related to the application of data to ethnic groups
Contention related to differing political influences, bodies of knowledge, national and international guidelines and their application to diagnostic criteria
Contention related to the performance and interpretation of bronchodilator and reversibility testing
The case for spirometry screening as a method of early diagnosis, including exploration of issues related to screening e.g. at what age, cost analysis, resource allocation etc.

Assessment

The assessment is divided into three components:

A 3,000 word essay based on a scenario that requires students to critically comment on aspects of preparation, procedure and interpretation of spirometry and the utilisation of screening as a tool for early diagnosis

An OSCE related to the performance and interpretation of spirometry (20 minutes)

Submission of a portfolio of evidence including 10 spirometry tracings, together with a completed log detailing demonstration of interpretation

Student support

Comprehensive course materials are provided to students. Tutorial time is set aside to support students, with specialist staff always available by either phone, e-mail and on-line. REUK can also advise on funding possibilities and financial support from a number of sources, we encourage students to get in touch

Venue

This module is held at our Liverpool office

Credits: 20

Optional

Spirometry & Screening: Critical Interpretation & Practice

Introduction

This module aims to provide healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills required to perform, interpret and critically analyse issues pertaining to spirometry as a tool for screening, diagnosing and assessing respiratory disease, utilising an evidence based approach

Successful completion of this module will result in joint accreditation in the form of a professional certificate of accreditation from the ARTP (Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology), along with the academic credits awarded by Edge Hill University

Module Format

The module is run on a blended learning basis supported by a comprehensive course pack and three structured study days over 20 weeks, which will include online and classroom discussion, workshops and lectures ensuring that theory and practice are integrated

Aims

This module will enable healthcare professionals to:

Demonstrate the process of performing spirometry

Examine the importance of correctly performing spirometry and critically apply this to the interpretation of results

Demonstrate an understanding of concepts of standardisation and reproducibility as they apply to the process of recording and interpreting spirometry, and demonstrate a critical awareness of issues such as the implications of ethnocentricity of normal values

Demonstrate a critical awareness of some of the difficulties in applying spirometry results to specific individuals

Critically evaluate current research and literature relating to the use of spirometry as a screening tool, appraising the case for screening, implementation of case finding strategies, improving diagnostic accuracy and benefits

Critically appraise the legal, ethical and moral issues in the context of screening patients for respiratory disease

Course Content

The content of this module includes:

Applied anatomy and physiology e.g. lung volume, common disorders

Patient assessment including spirometry within the context of full clinical history and examination

Performing Spirometry including rationale, care and use of equipment e.g. calibration, patient preparation and current guidelines

Interpretation of spirometry including lung function terminology, calculations and their significance

Assessment of reliability, validity, reproducibility and acceptability of tracing

Contention related to the application of data to ethnic groups

Contention related to differing political influences, bodies of knowledge, national and international guidelines and their application to diagnostic criteria

Contention related to the performance and interpretation of bronchodilator and reversibility testing

The case for spirometry screening as a method of early diagnosis, including exploration of issues related to screening e.g. at what age, cost analysis, resource allocation etc.

Assessment

The assessment is divided into three components:

A 3,000 word essay based on a scenario that requires students to critically comment on aspects of preparation, procedure and interpretation of spirometry and the utilisation of screening as a tool for early diagnosis

An OSCE related to the performance and interpretation of spirometry (20 minutes)

Submission of a portfolio of evidence including 10 spirometry tracings, together with a completed log detailing demonstration of interpretation

Student support

Venue

This module is held at our Liverpool office