The role of spirometry (lung function testing) in the management of chronic respiratory diseases (asthma and COPD) in general practice to improve quality of life.

The study has been designed around the research questions a) do patients with chronic respiratory disease (asthma and/or COPD) managed with lung function testing (spirometry) through general practice have better health outcomes than patients managed without spirometry? and b) to what degree does the use of spirometry influence the way general practitioners manage patients with chronic respiratory disease? This study aims to trial lung function testing ( spirometry) as an intervention for management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD) in a General practice setting. The main objectives are a) to evaluate the impact of spirometry on health outcomes of patients with asthma and COPD,compared with usual care alone ( no spirometry) and b) to identify the barriers and enablers to spirometry in general practice and primary care.