EM2301D "The Role of Race in Lung Function Interpretation: A Modern View" (IM GR-012023)
Purpose and Overview
This presentation will provide a modern view of the role of race in lung function interpretation. Traditionally we have been taught that lung size varies with age, sex, height and race. However, a more critical examination of the role of race in lung function interpretation has emerged that now questions this role. This new view recognizes that race is a social construct and differences in lung size among people of the same age, sex and height include reasons related to important social determinants of health. Moving toward a race-neutral approach to interpreting lung function is a worthy goal, but doing so may mask underlying important social determinants and other factors that may be critical to optimizing lung health.
Target Audience
UT Southwestern faculty, fellows, residents and medical students, community physicians, nurse clinicians, physician assistants and nurses.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
- Explain how we measure and define normal lung function.
- Describe how race has been incorporated into lung function interpretation over the years.
- Understand the clinical implications of including race in lung function interpretation.
David Kaminsky, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Medical Director of Pulmonary Function Laboratory
The University of Vermont
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA
- 1.00 Ethics
Price
Required Hardware/software
Activities should be run with recent versions of common browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome