MSD launches asthma training resources
pharmafile | August 6, 2010 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | MSD, asthma, medical education, merck sharp and dohme, nurses
A new training resource aimed at helping primary care nurses manage asthma has been launched with funding from Merck Sharp and Dohme.
The ASCEND (asthma skills, continued education and nurse development) programme is a five-module course written by nurses and accredited by the Royal College of Nurses.
Developed by representatives from Asthma UK, Education for Health, Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) and Respiratory Education UK (REUK), its aim is to fill in knowledge gaps on the causes and management of asthma.
“Asthma remains an important chronic disease affecting people of all ages and walks of life,” says Stephanie Wolfe, chair of the PCRS-UK Nurse Committee. “ASCEND is an excellent starting point for nurses and other healthcare professionals working in this field.”
Research by Education for Health found that more than half of nurses conducting diagnostic or follow-up consultations have no formal training in asthma.
Yet it is a widespread condition – figures suggest one in five UK households includes someone with asthma and the course is intended to be relevant for everyday practice.
“Continuing professional education and training is essential for all nurses,” said Erica Haines, asthma lead for Education for Health.
“ASCEND is designed to provide a foundation in asthma knowledge which can be further developed through postgraduate education,” she adds.
Staff shortages and lack of funding mean training can be difficult for nurses to access, but REUK national training manager Dave Burns says: “One of the advantages of the ASCEND modules is that they can be accessed and utilised by individual nurses, who can work through them at their own pace providing a great deal of flexibility.”
The first section – Asthma epidemiology, anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology – is available free in print from MSD or at www.nursinginpractice.com/cpd.
The other four modules will be rolled out in the next six months. They are: Causes, triggers and diagnosis; Asthma management and treatment; Taking control; and The asthma review.
Adam Hill
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