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.

This activity will provide participants with an overview clarifying the dynamics by which the business of health care is affected by the processes of capturing a patient’s reason for their visit and the care provided in response. With a focus on accurate coding that justifies patient services or procedures performed by the provider, it will examine the role of diagnostic-related group (DRG) classifications in payment determination under the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS), payment systems, ICD-10 coding requirements and payer criteria. The roles of revenue cycles, payer methodologies and patient access in the business of health care will also be examined.

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.

This activity will focus on various evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including psychopharmacology, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and intensive behavioral therapies, including applied behavioral analysis (ABA). The significance of early intervention services and educational support beyond preschool will be highlighted. In addition, the benefits of supportive practices such as mindfulness and stress management for caregivers will be explored.