Health Innovation Hub Ireland Coordinates the development and delivery of a new online Asthma Management Programme.
| By Gillian O'Mahony | 0 Comments
October 8th 2018: Health innovation Hub Ireland, UCC School of Pharmacy, and the Department of Physiotherapy (University College Cork) launch http://asthmamangement.ucc.iea new online course aimed at Pharmacists and Physiotherapists for the management of Asthma.
About Asthma Programme
This course was developed by a collaboration between the School of Pharmacy, Department of Physiotherapy (University College Cork), GSK, the Physiotherapy Department of University Hospital Kerry, the Asthma Society of Ireland and Health Innovation Hub Ireland. The course incorporates novel flexible learning software to provide physiotherapists, pharmacists and all healthcare professionals with up-to-date knowledge on the causes and treatment strategies of asthma, and strategies that physiotherapists and pharmacists can use to optimise patient welfare. The course also provides these professionals with tools to empower patients to manage their own conditions.
Professor Stephen Byrne, Chair in Clinical Pharmacy Practice, and Head of the School of Pharmacy in University today commented;
“that the Asthma programme will be successful due to the combined interprofessional efforts taken in the design and development of materials which are patient-centric in nature. The importance of having collaborated with the Asthma Society will further enhance the adaption of this material across all healthcare professionals. I am delighted to have been part of this project and to see such a wonderful educational package produced at the end.”
GSK Funded
This online continuing professional development (CPD) course was possible because of the very generous funding from GlaxoSmithKline through their Independent Medical Education grant. This funding allowed for the closure of a gap in the care of patients with asthma in Ireland. GSK spokesperson today commented;
‘’ GSK is proud to support this innovative Asthma Management Programme and the UCC School of Pharmacy’s mission to educate pharmacists to the highest professional standards. This free online CPD accredited module will enable community pharmacists all over the country to remotely access up to date information on the diagnosis, treatment and management of asthma. Optimal asthma management is essential to prevent attacks and GSK is committed to helping those with the condition do more, feel better and live longer.”
CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, Sarah O’Connor also commented;
“We in the Asthma Society of Ireland are delighted to have been involved with UCC and GSK in creating the new CPD training for pharmacists and physiotherapists on asthma. There are 470,000 people with asthma in Ireland – we have the fourth highest prevalence of asthma in the world, where one in five children and one in ten adults have asthma. We aim to help people with asthma to live a full life, symptom free and this course will assist pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in their work to support people with asthma. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals are key gatekeepers in asthma care, patients rely on them and they can hugely help patients to manage their condition. We want to eliminate asthma deaths and we believe that pharmacists can play a key role in achieving that. This CPD course is only one step in the journey of working with pharmacists and healthcare professionals, but it is a very important one.”
About Course
Both physiotherapists and pharmacists can be intimately involved in the treatment of patients with this long-term respiratory condition. However, there are infrequent opportunities for both groups of professionals to develop a shared understanding of patient’s experience of the condition, and of the important work that both professions play in improving to the fullest the quality of life of patients suffering from asthma. Whilst this programme is aimed primarily at pharmacists and physiotherapists, it is of relevance to all healthcare professionals in both primary and secondary care settings.
Asthma Programme
Link to Asthma Management programme overview and content http://asthmamanagement.ucc.ie