Table 1. Doctors’ reasons for the use of diagnostic measures in routine clinical practice – results of the DQ.
| Diagnostic measures | BP | Spirometry | Chest X-ray | CAT | mMRC | Eosinophil count |
| Respiratory specialists, n (%) N = 27 | ||||||
| Time/frequency of execution * | ||||||
| For diagnosis | 24 (88.9) | 16 (59.3) | 16 (59.3) | 12 (44.4) | 7 (25.9) | 16 (59.3) |
| Regularly | 26 (96.3) | 19 (70.4) | 14 (51.9) | 17 (63.0) | 6 (22.2) | 3 (11.1) |
| When needed | 5 (18.5) | 8 (29.6) | 13 (48.1) | 7 (25.9) | 5 (18.5) | 10 (37.0) |
| Advantages of this measure * | ||||||
| Diagnostic for… | ||||||
|
27 (100) | 20 (74.1) | 22 (81.5) | 15 (55.6) | 15 (55.6) | 18 (66.7) |
|
13 (48.1) | 8 (29.6) | 16 (59.3) | 4 (14.8) | 4 (14.8) | 15 (55.6) |
| Monitoring of… | ||||||
|
24 (88.9) | 24 (88.9) | 7 (25.9) | 17 (63.0) | 12 (44.0) | 4 (14.8) |
|
27 (100) | 23 (85.2) | 13 (48.1) | 20 (74.1) | 15 (55.6) | 8 (29.6) |
| Recommended by guidelines | 9 (33.3) | 8 (29.6) | 3 (11.1) | 5 (18.5) | 5 (18.5) | 3 (11.1) |
| Benefit for the patient | ||||||
| None | 0 | 0 | 2 (7.4) | 2 (7.4) | 4 (14.8) | 4 (14.8) |
| Low | 0 | 2 (7.4) | 1 (3.7) | 3 (11.1) | 6 (22.2) | 4 (14.8) |
| Medium | 2 (7.4) | 10 (37.0) | 11 (40.7) | 17 (63.0) | 11 (40.7) | 14 (51.9) |
| High | 25 (92.6) | 15 (55.6) | 13 (48.1) | 5 (18.5) | 6 (22.2) | 5 (18.5) |
*
Multiple responses were possible; BP = body plethysmography; CAT = COPD assessment test; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DQ: doctor’s questionnaire; mMRC = modified Medical Research Council (dyspnea assessment test); N = 27 (number of respiratory specialists)