Abstract
Objective: To conduct a survey to determine the status of the introduction of the new guidelines in the revised version of “Evaluation of Health Check-up Results and Follow-up Guidance in Ningen Dock” in pulmonary function testing conducted at Japan Society of Ningen Dock member facilities. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey by mail of Japan Society of Ningen Dock member facilities twice in 2008 (in February and July) concerning forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity, parameters used in spirometry, and the timing of the change to the Japanese procedures for measuring them. The status of adoption of the new guidelines was also surveyed. Results: The recovery rates were 51.3% for the first time the questionnaire was sent out and 39.2% for the 2nd time. Adoption rates for the Japanese Respiratory Society's procedure for measuring forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV. ) were 27.0% and 34.6% for the 1st and 2nd surveys, respectively, showing that more than 60% of institutions were still using other procedures, even at the time of the 2nd survey. With regard to the timing of the change to the Japanese procedures, the response rate for “no schedule for change/no answer” was 58.0% and response rates regarding adoption status of the new guidelines were: new guidelines-38.0%, old guidelines - 56.8%and no answer -5.2%. Conclusion: These findings indicate that it is necessary for the Japanese Society of Ningen Dock to conduct educational programs to make facilities more familiar with the new guidelines and of the necessity of them introducing the Japanese measurement procedures.
