Foundations in Asthma & COPD

Build Confidence in Respiratory Care | 24-Hour CPD Programme

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​Build your confidence in respiratory care through this practical, evidence-based programme designed for healthcare professionals who are new to asthma and COPD, or would benefit from a structured refresher.

The programme develops knowledge progressively, taking you from understanding the conditions through to confident assessment, management and delivery of high-quality annual reviews in primary care.

Choose to complete the full 8-week programme or enrol on the Asthma Foundations or COPD Foundations module individually.

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Who is this programme for?

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This programme is designed for healthcare professionals who are new to respiratory care, or those looking to build confidence in the assessment and management of asthma and COPD in primary care. It is suitable for:

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• Practice Nurses

• Nursing Associates

• Clinical Pharmacists

• Physician Associates

• Paramedics

• Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

• Other healthcare professionals involved in respiratory care

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Already experienced in asthma or COPD?
If you are confident with the fundamentals and are looking to develop advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis and management skills, our Advanced Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis & Management of Asthma or Advanced Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis & Management of COPD modules may be more suitable.

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Programme Overview

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• 8-week blended learning programme

• 24 hours of CPD

• Weekly delivery

• 16 hours of live interactive webinars

• 8 hours of self-paced e-learning

• Interactive quizzes after every session

• Live case discussions throughout

• Certificate of Completion

Complete either:

• Foundations in Asthma (4 weeks)

• Foundations in COPD (4 weeks)

• Or both as the full 8-week programme

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Learning Outcomes

 

This programme focuses on developing the core knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to assess and manage patients with asthma and COPD. Learning is reinforced through the application of current evidence and guideline-based care to realistic primary care scenarios.

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By the end of this programme, you will be able to:

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• Describe the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD and explain how this relates to clinical signs, symptoms and disease progression.

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• Recognise the key features of asthma and COPD and understand the principles of diagnosis using current national guidance.

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• Apply the fundamentals of evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological management to support high-quality patient care.

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• Select appropriate inhaler devices and demonstrate the importance of optimising inhaler technique and adherence.

 

• Recognise patients with poorly controlled disease or at increased risk of exacerbations and understand when treatment should be reviewed or specialist advice sought.

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• Conduct structured, patient-centred asthma and COPD reviews that promote good disease control and reduce future risk.

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• Support patients to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their condition using personalised care plans.

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• Apply learning to realistic primary care scenarios through case-based discussions and reflective practice.

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The course agenda:​

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Asthma Foundations (4 Weeks)

Over four weeks you will develop the knowledge and confidence to assess and manage asthma in primary care.

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Week 1 – Asthma Fundamentals

• Overview of asthma in primary care

• Basic pathophysiology (airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction)

• Disease burden

• Aims of asthma management (control and risk reduction)

• Your role in ongoing monitoring/care

• Recognising red flags and when to escalate

(Establishing safe foundational knowledge)

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Week 2 – Asthma Pharmacology

• Benefits of inhaled therapy as the method of delivery

• Mechanisms of action: asthma medicines explained

• Introduction to inhaler device types and why device choice matters

• Inhaler technique

• Side effects & management

• Local formularies and treatment principles

 (Developing therapeutic knowledge)

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Week 3 – Initial Asthma Management

• Applying current guidance

• Principles of AIR and MART

• Applying pharmacology to early treatment decisions (BTS/SIGN/NICE 2024)

• Monitoring response

• Recognising poor control

​​ (Applying knowledge in early management)

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Week 4 – Asthma Reviews & Personalised Care Planning

• Conducting a structured asthma review

• Identifying sub-optimal control

• Recognising future risk of exacerbation

• Assessing inhaler technique and adherence

• Identifying common comorbidities

• Constructing a Personalised Asthma Action Plan (PAAP)

  • Triggers

  • Symptom recognition

  • Medication adjustments

  • Exacerbation management

 (Applying knowledge in reviews and personalised care)

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COPD Foundations (4 Weeks)

Build confidence in recognising, assessing and managing COPD in primary care.

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Week 1 – COPD Fundamentals

• Overview of COPD in primary care

• Basic pathophysiology (chronic bronchitis and emphysema)

• Disease burden

• Aims of COPD management (symptom management and exacerbation prevention

• Your role in ongoing monitoring and safety

• Recognising red flags and when to escalate

(Establishing safe foundational knowledge)

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Week 2 – COPD Pharmacology

• Benefits of inhaled therapy as the method of delivery

• Mechanisms of action: COPD medications explained

• Bronchodilators

• Triple therapy

• ICS in COPD – risks and benefits, who is suitable ‘steroid responsive’

• Side effects

• Introduction to inhaler device types and why device choice matters

• Inhaler technique

 (Developing therapeutic knowledge)

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Week 3 – Initial COPD Management

• Assessing symptom burden

• Treatment pathways (initial treatment and escalation)

• Follow up and monitoring

• An introduction to the Five Fundamentals

• National & global guidance

• Signposting to local guidance/formularies

 (Applying knowledge in early management)

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Week 4 – COPD Reviews

• Conducting a structured COPD annual review

• Assessing symptoms (MRC & CAT score)

• Identifying exacerbation risk

• Assessing inhaler technique and adherence

• Implementing the 5 fundamentals: smoking cessation, pulmonary rehab, vaccination, identifying comorbidities, supported self-management

• Constructing a personalised management plan

 (Applying knowledge in reviews and personalised care)

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Teaching Approach

Each week includes:

• 2-hour live interactive webinar

• 1-hour self-directed e-learning

• Interactive knowledge quiz

• Case-based discussion

• Opportunity to ask questions throughout

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Learning is practical, clinically relevant and designed to help you apply new knowledge immediately in practice.

It is recommended to block out 3 hours to enable attendance at the 2 hour live webinar plus the 1 hour of e-learning after.

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Programme Dates​

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January 2027

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Foundations in Asthma (4 Weeks)

​Live webinars: Tuesdays, 1:00–3:00 pm

Each live webinar is followed by approximately 1 hour of self-directed e-learning, to be completed before the next session.

​Week 1 – Asthma Fundamentals              Tuesday 19 January 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 2 – Asthma Pharmacology              Tuesday 26 January 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 3 – Initial Asthma Management      Tuesday 2 February 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 4 – Asthma Reviews                       Tuesday 9 February 1:00–3:00 pm

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Two-week break

 

Foundations in COPD (4 Weeks)​

Live webinars: Mondays, 1:00–3:00 pm

Each live webinar is followed by approximately 1 hour of self-directed e-learning, to be completed before the next session.​

Week 1 – COPD Fundamentals                 Monday 1 March 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 2 – COPD Pharmacology                Monday 8 March 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 3 – Initial COPD Management        Monday 15 March 1:00–3:00 pm

Week 4 – COPD Reviews                         Monday 22 March 1:00–3:00 pm

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Total Time Commitment

• 2-hour live webinar each week

• Followed by approximately 1 hour of self-directed e-learning between sessions

• Approximately 24 hours of CPD across the full programme

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Course Fees

This programme is partially funded by the pharmaceutical industry, enabling places to be offered at a reduced cost.

• Full Foundations in Asthma & COPD (8 weeks): £300 + VAT

• Asthma Foundations (4 weeks): £150 + VAT

• COPD Foundations (4 weeks): £150 + VAT​

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Industry Support

This programme is currently supported by the pharmaceutical industry, enabling places to be offered at a reduced cost.

As part of this support, one pharmaceutical company will deliver a 10-minute presentation at the beginning of each live webinar. The educational content of the programme remains independent and evidence-based.

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Booking

To book your place, please complete the registration form below. Please check your junk mail for the response

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Cancellation Policy

Places on this programme are limited and many are offered at a reduced cost through pharmaceutical sponsorship. If you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that your place may be offered to another delegate where feasible. Due to the impact on programme planning and sponsorship, late cancellations and failure to attend will be charged at the full course fee.​​

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