The value of spirometry for primary care: Asthma and COPD

Abstract

In this paper, the need for widespread use of spirometry in primary healthcare is appraised through a literature review. The added value of spirometry for and the quality of measurements made by general practitioners (GPs), and the economic consequences of greater use of spirometry in primary care are discussed. Appropriate application of spirometry in general practice may lead to improved health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, but consistent attention to quality assurance measures is vital. If good quality cannot be guaranteed in the general practice setting, the reliability and validity of the tests is uncertain. Pulmonary function laboratories, nurse-run asthma clinics, primary care group (PCG)-commissioned and mobile community-based spirometry services may be other choices, but it depends on local availability as to which choice is most suitable for organising primary care spirometry. It is concluded that spirometry is a potentially useful and feasible tool for GPs, provided that test results are easily integrated into the Gp's usual management of patients with obstructive lung disease. At this time, the health costs of widespread application of spirometry in primary care are unknown.