Race, Ethnicity, and Pulmonary Function Test Interpretation
Released On
September 30, 2025
Expires On
September 18, 2026
Media Type
Internet
Completion Time
60 minutes
Specialty
Neonatology, Pulmonology
Topic(s)
Respiratory
Providers
Provided by The France Foundation and The American Thoracic Society
Grant Support
This activity is supported by independent medical educational grants from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Chiesi USA, Inc.
Credit Available
- Physicians — maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- Nurses — 1.0 Nursing Contact Hour
- PAs — 1.0 Physician’s Assistant Contact Hour
All other health care professionals completing this course will be issued a statement of participation.
Target Audience
This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of pulmonary and critical care specialists, surgeons, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and other clinicians who have a role in the interpretation of PFTs.
Program Overview
A shift toward race-neutral pulmonary function test (PFT) interpretation is underway. This activity breaks down the ATS’ official statement on race and ethnicity in PFT interpretation and explores the evidence that informed this major change. You’ll gain clarity on the scientific rationale, what the new recommendations mean for patient care, and why the shift matters. Through real-world case examples, the module offers practical guidance on how to implement race-neutral PFTs across individual, institutional, and systems levels. Walk away with the confidence to align your practice with the latest guidance in respiratory care equity.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
- Recognize the ATS’ official statement for clinicians on race, ethnicity, and PFT interpretation
- Identify the recent scientific evidence that supports new recommendations related to race-neutral interpretations of PFTs
- Evaluate case examples for the implementation of new PFT interpretation recommendations at the local, institutional, and systems levels
Faculty
Nirav Bhakta, MD, PhD
Pulmonology, Pulmonary Critical Care
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Aaron Baugh, MD
Pulmonology, Pulmonary Critical Care
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD
Pediatric Pulmonology
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, NY
Accreditation Statement
This physician activity is provided by the American Thoracic Society.
This nurse and PA activity is provided by The France Foundation.
American Thoracic Society – AMA Credits
Physicians
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Physician Credit Designation
The American Thoracic Society designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The France Foundation – ANCC and AAPA credits
In support of improving patient care, The France Foundation is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the health care team.
NURSES
The France Foundation designates this activity for 1.0 contact hours.
PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES
The France Foundation has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 09/30/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest
Nirav Bhakta, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine
UCSF Pulmonary Function Lab Co-Director
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Disclosure
Bhakta receives royalties from a pharmacology book for which the subject matter is unrelated to the topics presented.
Aaron Baugh, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Disclosure
Consultant for Regeneron.
Regeneron Advisory board- Participated in a discussion on unbranded educational needs of under-served patient populations. Not connected to any marketing or branded effort, and no recommendations related to branded products or services were made. Commitment ended Oct 2024.
Stephanie Lovinsky-Desir, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Chief, Pediatric Pulmonary Division
Columbia University
New York, NY
Disclosures
Nothing to disclose
Margaret Das, PhD, Planning Committee Member, TFF Content Reviewer
- No relevant financial disclosures
Patrick Harty, PhD, TFF Content Reviewer
- No relevant financial disclosures
Amanda Noe – TFF Staff
- No relevant financial disclosures
Emily Perkins – TFF Staff
- No relevant financial disclosures
Heather Tarbox, MPH – TFF Staff
- No relevant financial disclosures
Jen Siegel-Gasiekski – ATS Staff
- No relevant financial disclosures
Instructions for Participation and Credit
There are no fees for participating in and receiving CME credit for this enduring activity. To receive CME credit participants must:
- Read the CME/CE information and faculty disclosures
- Participate in the online activity
- Submit the evaluation form
Certificates will be emailed to the participant.
Course Viewing Requirements
Supported Browsers:
Internet Explorer 8.0+ for Windows 2003, Vista, XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and above
Google Chrome 28.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux
Mozilla Firefox 23.0+ for Windows, Mac OS, or Linux
Safari 6.0+ for Mac OSX 10.7 and above
Supported Phones & Tablets:
Android 4.0.3 and above
iPhone/iPad with iOS 6.1 or above
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
The France Foundation and the American Thoracic Society require that faculty participating in any CME activity disclose to the audience when discussing any unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved for use in the United States.
Disclaimer
This activity is designed for educational purposes. Participants have a responsibility to utilize this information to enhance their professional development to improve patient outcomes. Conclusions drawn by the participants should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information. The participant should use his/her clinical judgment, knowledge, experience, and diagnostic decision-making before applying any information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.
Contact Information
For CME questions please contact [email protected].