Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are commonly utilized for the diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of pulmonary conditions. However, the inclusion of race in the reporting and interpretation of PFT results introduces the potential to contribute to health disparities and amplify race-based health inequities. This activity aims to enhance participants’ comprehension of race-based adjustments in clinical algorithms and increase competency in race-neutral and impartial interpretation of PFTs. The faculty speaker for this webcast, Dr. Nirav Bhakta, served as the co-chair of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) workshop responsible for shaping the 2023 ATS statement on race in PFT interpretation. Drawing upon his extensive expertise as a pulmonologist and his pivotal role in the formulation of these new ATS guidelines, Dr. Bhakta will delve into the historical context behind race-specific PFTs, address the rationale behind the shift and review the pivotal aspects and implications of adopting a race-neutral approach.

When primary care and behavioral health providers collaborate effectively using shared care plans, the integration can improve patient outcomes, but there are still existing barriers. This activity will identify some common issues in a joint collaboration between medical and behavioral health providers and also will discuss psychotropic medications, their risks and benefits, effective interventions, behavioral health treatment, and effective care coordination.

Pediatric primary care has become an important venue for providing mental health services to children and adolescents. Integrated interventions with primary care providers as partners in the Medical Home Model designed to address mental health problems in pediatric health care can create optimal productivity and functionality for clinicians in joint patient care. This activity will discuss the role of effective integrated behavioral health care to aid in maximizing effectiveness and efficiency in joint visits.

Pediatric primary care providers play an important role in addressing behavioral health (BH) problems and the delivery of services to address these problems. This activity will discuss the management and treatment for pediatric aggression and the core symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and early onset bipolar disorder. ASD with aggressive behavior will also be highlighted.