A comprehensive half-day workshop on Pleural Effusion, Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), and Asthma was successfully conducted with the aim of enhancing clinical knowledge and practical skills in the diagnosis and management of common respiratory conditions.

The workshop was designed to improve participants’ understanding of respiratory diseases, strengthen diagnostic and management capabilities, and provide hands-on exposure to pulmonary investigations and procedures. A total of 52 participants, including doctors, nurses, trainees, and medical students, attended the session.

Key Learning Areas

Pleural Effusion
Participants received in-depth training on the definition and types of pleural effusion, including transudative and exudative effusions. Common causes such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, malignancy, and heart failure were discussed. Sessions covered clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic approaches using chest X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan, along with pleural fluid analysis.
The workshop also highlighted indications and contraindications of thoracentesis, possible complications and their prevention, basic management principles, and case-based discussions to enhance clinical decision-making.

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
The PFT module focused on the introduction and importance of pulmonary function testing. Participants learned about indications, types of PFTs including spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity (DLCO). Special emphasis was placed on interpreting spirometry results, differentiating between obstructive and restrictive patterns, and understanding the role of PFTs in asthma and COPD.
Hands-on demonstrations of spirometry and interpretation of real patient reports were key highlights of this session.

Asthma
The asthma session covered the definition, pathophysiology, types, triggers, and risk factors of asthma. Participants were guided on clinical features, diagnosis, asthma severity assessment, and control evaluation. The role of PFTs in asthma diagnosis, stepwise management, inhaler types, correct inhalation techniques, and management of acute asthma exacerbations were discussed in detail, along with patient education and follow-up strategies.

Teaching Methodology and Faculty

The workshop employed interactive teaching methods, including lectures, live demonstrations, and case discussions. The sessions were facilitated by experienced respiratory specialists:

Dr. Usman Soomro, Chest Specialist, DHQ Badin

Dr. Malik Tabish Khan, Chest Specialist, DHQ Badin

Dr. Mujahid, Consultant, Indus Hospital, Karachi

Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants demonstrated improved confidence in diagnosing and managing respiratory diseases. All attendees received a certificate of participation, acknowledging their successful completion of the program.