COMPASS Notes

Aim

This course aims to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the current evidence base in relation to the treatment and prevention of migraine.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• state the classification, pathophysiology and features of migraine
• describe the available choices for the acute treatment of migraine
• discuss the objectives, limitations, and choices for preventative medications in migraine
• outline other issues in migraine management such as menstrual migraine, use of the combined oral contraceptive pill in migraine sufferers, migraine in pregnancy and lactation, and migraine during the menopause.

Aim

This learning material examines the evidence for the modern approach to treating acne. Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects almost everyone, to vary degrees, at some point in their life. This review discusses the aetiology, evaluation and treatment options for patients with acne.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you should be able to understand the:

• Clinical features of acne
• Causes of acne
• Impact of acne
• Treatments available for acne

Aim

This course has been written for healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense medicines for women with chronic conditions who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Learning outcomes

This is an update to the 2014 COMPASS Therapeutic Notes on management Chronic Diseases in Pregnancy. Having completed this course you should be able to:

• Understand the risks that chronic conditions pose to pregnancy.
• Understand the risks associated with the use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Describe the most suitable management option(s) for asthma, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension and thyroid disorders in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Aim

This learning material examines the evidence for the modern approach to treating chronic constipation. Chronic constipation is a common condition of multifarious aetiology. This review discusses the aetiology, evaluation and treatment options for patients with primary (idiopathic) chronic constipation. In addition, the management of constipation in pregnant and breast-feeding women is briefly discussed.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• define constipation
• describe the causes of chronic constipation
• discuss the impact of chronic constipation
• list the mechanisms of action of the various drugs used to treat chronic constipation
• outline the management of constipation in pregnant or breast-feeding women

Aim

This course has been written for healthcare professionals working in primary care, who prescribe or dispense medicines for patients with dementia. This publication seeks to provide an overview of how to manage both the cognitive and behavioural symptoms of dementia

Learning outcomes

Having completing this course you should be able to:

• Recognise the symptoms of dementia and the benefits of early diagnosis
• Have an understanding of possible preventative strategies for dementia
• Describe the different types of dementia and how each is managed
• Discuss management options for Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), including rational use of low dose antipsychotics.

Aim

This course has been written for healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense medicines for patients with osteoporosis. This publication seeks to provide an overview of osteoporosis, how to carry out risk assessment for people and how best to manage the risk of fragility fracture.

Learning outcomes

Having completing this course you should be able to:

• Recognise risk factors for fragility fracture
• Have an understanding of how to use risk assessment tools to assess individual patient risk
• Discuss management options for osteoporosis
• Be aware of the safety issues associated with drugs for osteoporosis and the related contraindications and cautions for use.

Aim

This course aims to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the current evidence base in relation to the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should understand:

• The importance of patient education in people with type 2 diabetes
• How to manage cardiovascular risk factors in people with type 2 diabetes
• How to individualise blood glucose targets
• How to manage blood glucose levels
• When it is appropriate to self-monitor blood glucose levels

Aim

This course has been written for healthcare professionals who prescribe or dispense medicines for patients with upper gastrointestinal disorders.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should be able to:

• Recognise possible causes of dyspepsia
• Describe the most suitable management option(s) for symptoms of dyspepsia, depending on the cause (uninvestigated dyspepsia, functional dyspepsia, GORD, peptic ulcer disease)
• Be aware of prescribing issues with proton pump inhibitors.

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of atopic eczema in primary care, focusing on the pharmacological approach to manage this condition.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you should be able to:

• describe the burden and prevalence of atopic eczema
• list the main diagnostic features of atopic eczema
• critically evaluate the pharmacological treatments available for eczema
• discuss how pharmacological treatment options should be used to achieve best effects

Aim

This course aims to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the current evidence base in relation to the management of chronic asthma.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should understand:

• the stepwise approach to managing asthma
• the safety issues associated with the use of inhaled corticosteroids
• how to step down asthma treatment
• how to review and monitor someone with asthma
• the importance of patient education, self-management and action plans in people with asthma.

Aim

This course aims to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the current evidence base in relation to the management of atrial fibrillation

Learning outcomes

Having completed this course you should:

• Understand the key concepts in the management of AF.
• Describe the use of rate and rhythm control strategies.
• Clearly recognise risk factors for thromboembolism.
• Appreciate the importance of thromboprophylaxis.

Aim

This course has been written for healthcare professionals working in primary care, who prescribe or dispense medicines for patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This publication seeks to provide a broad overview of the management of PD. Treatment of PD is under the care of a specialist. However, due to the complexity of the disease, primary care healthcare professionals will encounter many aspects of the disease. Attention is also drawn to non-motor symptoms. Three of the most common non-motor symptoms (depression, dementia and psychosis) present a major challenge for the management of PD and therefore are discussed in detail in designated sections.

Learning outcomes

Having completing this course you should be able to:

• Recognise the features of PD to ensure rapid referral to a specialist
• Understand how the condition is treated to facilitate shared care between primary and secondary care
• Discuss the management of motor symptoms in early and advanced stages of the disease
• Recognise the non-motor symptoms of PD to ensure prompt and effective management.