Breathe Easy: Choosing the Right Lung Test for the Right Patient Workshop

May 1, 2023

Respirology (Lungs & Breathing), Primary Care / Family Medicine

Improper diagnosis of lung disease can result in inappropriate use of medications, increased urgent care utilization, and poor health outcomes. Confirmation of diagnosis with objective lung function testing is still often overlooked. Not all patients require a full Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) which includes: 1) Spirometry, 2) Lung Volume Testing, and 3) Diffusion Capacity. For example, suspected airway obstruction can be investigated using only spirometry testing, which is the gold standard test to confirm a diagnosis of COPD and a key component in the diagnosis of asthma. A full PFT may only be required for suspected Interstitial Lung Disease or other potentially restrictive forms of chronic lung disease. 

This workshop was co-developed and organized in collaboration with the Edmonton Southside PCN and Medicine Strategic Clinical Network, with the aim of supporting primary care providers in identifying patients at risk for chronic lung disease and offering a useful guide for selecting the most appropriate objective lung function test for patients. The workshop was presented by Dr. Ron Damant, Dr. Jacqueline Tay, and Dr. Tina Nicholson and with planning support from Dr. Rose Yeung. 

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