TY - JOUR T1 - How to pass your European Spirometry Driving test! JF - Breathe JO - Breathe SP - 289 LP - 292 DO - 10.1183/20734735.700113 VL - 9 IS - 4 AU - Sharon Mitchell AU - Brendon G. Cooper AU - Irene Steenbruggen Y1 - 2013/06/01 UR - http://breathe.ersjournals.com/content/9/4/289.abstract N2 - The information in this editorial is designed to inform Breathe readers about the European Spirometry training programme leading to the ERS Spirometry Driving Licence.The vital role of spirometry in the diagnosis and management of respiratory disease is undisputed [1, 2]. Standardisation of spirometry, access to spirometers and use of accurate and reliable spirometry measurements are requirements central to the treatment of lung diseases [3, 4].Are you aware that: Spirometry is grossly underused in practice, especially in primary care? [5, 6] Diagnosis made on inaccurate results has been reported regularly within the literature? [7] Many countries lack the delivery of training in quality diagnostic spirometry? [8] European Respiratory Society (ERS) have recognised the need to standardise spirometry practice with the publication of the ERS/American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines, Standardisation of Lung Function Testing 2005 [4]. In recent years, a number of new spirometers have been introduced to the market, some of which have been independently validated and the ERS Buyers' Guide also offers guidance to those performing spirometry in practice. However, to date, there has been relatively little achieved in the standardisation of training and education in spirometry measurement across Europe. Although efforts have been made in a number of European countries to train health professionals at a national and local level, results of an ERS survey 2012 highlight that content and duration of training vary widely and few training programmes are recognised by a professional body [8]. What do we learn from this? Although a number of quality spirometers are now available with guidelines available on lung function testing, no … ER -