Variation in spirometry utilization between trained general practitioners in practices equipped with a spirometer.

Objective: To explore spirometry utilization among general practitioners and identify practitioner and practice-related factors associated with spirometry utilization.

Design: Multivariate multilevel cross-sectional analysis of a questionnaire survey.

Setting: Some 61 general practices involved in a spirometry evaluation programme in the Netherlands.

Feedback information from flow volume curves to the practice.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of feedback information provided by viewing flow volume (F/V) curves during spirometry performed by practice assistants improves spirometry test quality.

Methods: Randomised controlled single session crossover study. Eight practice assistants performed spirometry in healthy subjects (=47).