Open Learning

NEW COURSE Course Overview:
Learning hours: 8

This course aims to develop knowledge and skills while achieving a level of competency in the delivery of pharmaceutical care to infants and children.

Having completed this course, you should be able to:

*apply knowledge and understanding of the effects on drug handling, prescribing and daily living with respect to childhood developments - anatomical, physiological, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamic and psychosocial changes.
*apply knowledge and understanding of the effects of drugs in pregnancy and during breastfeeding and how this impacts on antenatal and neonatal care.
*obtain the relevant background information relating to paediatric medicines information enquiries and use the appropriate sources of information to answer them.
*deal appropriately with prevalent diseases and problems with prescribing medication in children.
*identify risk issues within paediatric pharmaceutical care and know how to address them.
*take a holistic approach to pharmaceutical care of paediatric patients in order to ensure appropriate, seamless care and concordance.

NEW COURSE Course Overview:
Learning hours: 10

This course aims to assist pharmacists in competently integrating an understanding of complementary and alternative medicines into their daily practice.

Having completed this course, you should be able to:

*describe how complementary medicines and therapies fit into a patient centred approach to healthcare;
*describe the philosophy of complementary medicines and put this in the context of conventional medicine;
*describe the current evidence base for the use of complementary medicines and therapies;
*advise on the use of OTC complementary medicine for common ailments.
*identify, record and report potential adverse drug reactions and interactions between complementary and conventional medicines.
*identify quality and safety issues in relation to complementary medicines.

UPDATED COURSE Course Overview:
Learning hours: 10

The aim of this course is to examine the medical conditions that commonly affect the eye, while emphasising a cost-effective and rational approach to therapy, with a view to improving the use of prescription and non-prescription medication to ensure satisfactory outcomes.

Having completed this course, you should be able to:

*describe common diseases of the eye.
*respond to eye symptoms in the pharmacy.
*describe drug and disease-related eye problems.
*provide advice on how to keep eyes healthy.

This self-study course is printed in colour. Extensive use of colour photographs will assist in the identification of eye conditions. It includes the new practice guidelines for OTC sales of chloramphenicol.

The aim of this course is to examine the medical conditions which commonly affect the joints and connective tissues.

Having completed this course you should be able to:
Describe the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout
Discuss the drug therapy available and indicate the principles of rational drug choice in individual patients
Identify the advice and information needs of patients
Offer guidelines for monitoring patient progress by identifying symptoms indicative of an improving or worsening clinical state

The course is presented as a 106-page book, containing 10 case studies and 19 figures that illustrate the distribution of affected joints and the appearance of each condition. The course is accompanied by a separate answer booklet and insert-cards which provide additional information on the management and monitoring of patients with rheumatic diseases.

The aim of this course is to examine the more community encountered neurological diseases emphasising a rational approach to therapy. The course will describe the pathophysiology of epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease. The course will also evaluate the available drug therapy and indicate the principles for rational drug choice for individual patients. In addition the course will allow you to identify the advice and information needs of patients and their families. This will enable them to manage their conditions and medications more effectively and identify symptoms indicative of an improving or worsening clinical state.

Aim
To promote the effective and efficient use of wound management products.

Learning outcomes Having completed this course, you should be able to:
Describe the risk factors associated with the development of wounds and how these can be minimised.
Recognise the most commonly encountered wounds and factors which promote their healing.
Identify the functions and characteristics of an ‘ideal dressing’.
Review the presentation, indications and methods of use for each dressing.
Demonstrate optimal wound healing through the appropriate rational choice of dressing.

Additional information Wound management is presented as a study guide with over 70 colour photographs.

Course Title:
STRESS MANAGEMENT Course Overview:
Stress management is an audio CD-Rom available from ICCPE for your personal development. The recording, compiled and narrated by a psychologist, discusses the everyday stresses of our lives and how to manage them. Topics covered include:

- Learning from the tortoise
- Know yourself
- Personality types
- What motivates you - the Enneagram Theory
- Recognising your warning signs
- Coping mechanisms
- Positive self-talk
- Reframing
- Irrational beliefs
- Visual imagery exercises

Warning: May cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

Older people have special needs relative to their use of medicines. They are more susceptible to disease, they use 40 per cent of prescribed medicines, they have physiological changes leading to greater sensitivity to medicines and may have communication problems. This course will discuss the ageing process and its impact on drug therapy. It will describe the general prescribing guidelines for older patients and describe the common prescription and OTC medication related problems experienced by older patients. Finally, it will provide practical steps to improve medication compliance in this patient group.

The aim of this programme is to improve knowledge and competency in the area of lower gastrointestinal tract disease.

Having completed the course, you should be able to:

*Describe the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, diverticular disease and functional bowel disorders.
*Critically evaluate optimal drug therapy for each condition.
*Recognise the role of lifestyle and dietary modification in managing systems.
*Describe the various types of stoma; their formation and functioning patterns.
*Identify the nature of common problems presented by stoma patients and offer solutions.
*List the range of stoma care appliances and the criteria for their usage.
*Encourage co-operation between health practitioners in the care of stoma patients.

Course Title:
EVIDENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY DISEASE (2005)
NEW COURSE Course Overview:
Learning hours: 14

The aim of this course is to enable healthcare professionals to provide effective care for patients suffering from asthma and COPD.

Having completed this course you should be able to identify risk factors associated with the development of asthma/COPD, review the underlying pathophysiology of asthma/COPD and how these affect normal physiological functioning, and effectively monitor patients with respiratory diseases. The course will also enable you to describe best practice in managing patients with asthma and COPD, using both drug therapy and non-pharmacological methods, and to demonstrate the correct use of inhaler devices.

This course is accompanied by a CD-Rom containing guidelines and peak-flow charts. In addition, a clinical record to a patient with COPD demonstrates the management of this condition.

UPDATED COURSE

Course Overview:
The aim of this course is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the role of nutrition in health and disease and in relation to medication, and to competently integrate this understanding into daily pharmacy practice.

NEW COURSE

Course Overview:
Aim To support pharmacists in implementing an effective adverse drug reaction reporting system.

Learning outcomes

•   understanding the yellow card scheme;
•   defining what adverse drug reactions are, why they are a problem and who may be at risk;
•   understanding the common ADRs affecting the different body systems and how collecting information on ADRs can improve patient safety;
•   understanding the epidemiology of ADRs and how to identify them in practice;
•   communicating effectively with people about ADRs and explaining possible risks;
•   helping people to identify and report ADRs;
•   identifying useful information sources on ADRs.