Webinars

Tutors

• Dr Joanne McManus
  Consultant Gynaecologist, BHSCT

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of menopause, perimenopause and premature ovarian insufficiency.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Define menopause, perimenopause, and premature ovarian insufficiency and explain how they are diagnosed
• Recognise the range of symptoms and outline the key information to gather during a detailed clinical history
• Discuss the risks and benefits of HRT with patients to support informed decision-making
• Recommend appropriate strategies for symptom management including lifestyle measures, non-hormonal treatment and hormonal replacement treatment (HRT).

Tutors

• Ms Lorna Cairns
  Consultant pharmacist for cancer services, WHSCT

Aim

To equip you with the knowledge and skills required to support patients receiving cancer treatment.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Outline the available cancer treatment options, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy
• Explain the basic mechanisms of action and clinical applications of these treatments
• Recognise the side effects associated with these treatment options
• Discuss strategies to manage and minimise treatment-related side effects
• Understand your role in supporting patients receiving cancer treatment.

Tutors

• Dr Joanne McManus
  Consultant Gynaecologist, BHSCT

Aim

To provide an overview of the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the management of menopause.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe the different routes of administration and indications for HRT and identify the cautions and contraindications associated with HRT
• Select an appropriate hormone type and regimen based on individual patient needs and clinical considerations
• Recognise potential adverse effects of HRT, including managing unscheduled bleeding and monitor patients accordingly
• Support patients with the administration and supply of HRT, including identifying suitable alternatives during supply shortages
• Acknowledge the prescribing considerations of HRT in complex medical conditions, including women with a history of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, premature ovarian insufficiency, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and endometriosis.

Tutors

• Mrs Claire Hetherington
  Lead General Practice Pharmacist, East Belfast Federation

Aim

To equip you with the knowledge and skills to assess and reduce cardiovascular risk in practice.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe the key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• Calculate cardiovascular risk using an appropriate risk assessment tool and identify patients at high risk of CVD
• Provide patient education and lifestyle advice to support patients to reduce their cardiovascular risk
• Undertake shared decision-making to initiate and monitor pharmacological therapy for the prevention of CVD
• Implement appropriate follow-up strategies to review patient progress.

Tutors

• Dr Lisa Byers
  Controlled Drug Accountable Officer (CDAO, Primary Care NI)
• Ms Chantelle Kay-Boom
  Controlled Drugs Coordinator, North West Controlled Drug Accountable Officer team, NHS England

Aim

To outline the new process for GP pharmacists when reporting controlled drug-related issues and concerns that occur in the primary care general medical services (GMS) setting.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe the statutory responsibility of the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer (CDAO) for primary care NI, in relation to the GMS setting and with regard to the CD Regulations NI 2009
• Identify what constitutes a CD incident or concern
• Understand the legal requirement to notify the CDAO of any concerns or adverse incidents involving CDs as part of a risk management process
• Demonstrate how to use the new CD reporting tool
• Outline how CD-related adverse incidents and concerns are managed once reported.

Tutors

• Ms Stephanie Park
  Lead Care Homes Pharmacist, Medicines Optimisation in Older People (MOOP)

Aim

To equip pharmacists with the knowledge and skills required to support the safe and effective management of older people living with frailty.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Identify frailty in older people using appropriate assessment tools in the different settings
• Understand the different frailty syndromes and their associated risk factors
• Recognise how different levels of frailty impact care decisions and medication management
• Understand the key domains of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and the role of medicines
• Apply an evidence-based approach to medicines review in older adults with frailty, using appropriate resources and tools.

Tutors

• Dr Dan Corbett
  Senior Lecturer (Digital Education), School of Pharmacy, QUB

Aim

To provide an introduction to, and overview of generative artificial Intelligence (GenAI), and to provide insight into its appropriate and professional application within pharmacy practice

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Define what GenAI is, and compare and contrast commonly available GenAI tools
• Evaluate the benefits, risks, and limitations of using GenAI in a pharmacy practice context
• Appreciate how to make use of GenAI platforms effectively, including via the use of appropriate prompting
• Identify how GenAI may be effectively and efficiently integrated into activities related to pharmacy practice, enhancing a range of workflows
• Evaluate data governance, privacy, and ethical considerations when integrating GenAI tools into pharmacy practice activities, and effectively manage their use in these contexts

Tutors

• Miss Karen Caughey
  Renal Pharmacist, SEHSCT

Aim

To provide an overview of acute kidney injury (AKI) and enable pharmacists to optimise the use of medicines to avoid or prevent harm and reduce the risk of AKI.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the role of the kidneys in normal physiological function
• Define AKI and its diagnosis
• Identify common causes, potential risk factors plus the signs and symptoms associated with AKI
• Consider the impact of medication, both prescribed and over-the-counter on kidney function and optimise medication use to prevent harm and reduce the risk of AKI
• Recommend appropriate management strategies and outline the pharmacist’s role in the prevention and management of AKI.

Tutors

• Ms Fionnuala McCullagh
  Frailty Pharmacist, WHSCT

Aim

To provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to optimise medicines for older patients with multiple long-term conditions, using a structured approach to medication review.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the implications of polypharmacy and the impact on patient safety, treatment effectiveness, and quality of life
• Outline the 7-steps to appropriate polypharmacy framework as a structured approach to medication review
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to prioritising deprescribing decisions, using appropriate resources and tools
• Deprescribe, reduce or substitute inappropriate medicines through a structured medication review, involving the patient and their family members/carers.

Tutors

• Ms Fionnuala McCullagh
  Frailty Pharmacist, WHSCT

Aim

To provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to optimise medicines for older patients with multiple long-term conditions, using a structured approach to medication review.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the implications of polypharmacy and the impact on patient safety, treatment effectiveness, and quality of life
• Outline the 7-steps to appropriate polypharmacy framework as a structured approach to medication review
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to prioritising deprescribing decisions, using appropriate resources and tools
• Deprescribe, reduce or substitute inappropriate medicines through a structured medication review, involving the patient and their family members/carers.

Tutors

• Ms Fionnuala McCullagh
  Frailty Pharmacist, WHSCT

Aim

To provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to optimise medicines for older patients with multiple long-term conditions, using a structured approach to medication review.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the implications of polypharmacy and the impact on patient safety, treatment effectiveness, and quality of life
• Outline the 7-steps to appropriate polypharmacy framework as a structured approach to medication review
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to prioritising deprescribing decisions, using appropriate resources and tools
• Deprescribe, reduce or substitute inappropriate medicines through a structured medication review, involving the patient and their family members/carers.

Tutors

• Ms Fionnuala McCullagh
  Frailty Pharmacist, WHSCT

Aim

To provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills to optimise medicines for older patients with multiple long-term conditions, using a structured approach to medication review.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the implications of polypharmacy and the impact on patient safety, treatment effectiveness, and quality of life
• Outline the 7-steps to appropriate polypharmacy framework as a structured approach to medication review
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to prioritising deprescribing decisions, using appropriate resources and tools
• Deprescribe, reduce or substitute inappropriate medicines through a structured medication review, involving the patient and their family members/carers.

Tutors

• Ms Cairine Gormley
  Consultant pharmacist, Respiratory, WHSCT

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of pneumonia.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognise the clinical features and diagnostic indicators of pneumonia
• Use assessment tools for community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia to support severity assessment and decisions on place of care
• Select and optimise antimicrobial therapy, including choice, dosage, and duration, to ensure safe and effective management
• Implement principles of antimicrobial stewardship to promote appropriate use of antibiotics and minimise resistance
• Provide patient-centred advice and support on pneumonia treatment, recovery and prevention.

Tutors

• Prof Alexander Miras
  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Ulster University

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of obesity.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Explain the pathophysiology of obesity and describe the health risks of being overweight or obese
• Measure and categorise a patient’s degree of overweight or obesity using appropriate equipment and techniques
• Provide advice to patients on the role of a healthy diet and physical activity in preventing and managing weight gain
• Outline the main pharmacological treatments used in the management of obesity, including the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and key safety considerations

Tutors

• Ms Clare Lenaghan
  Lead Mental Health Pharmacist, BHSCT

Aim

To provide an overview of the management of anxiety.

Learning outcomes

Having attended this webinar, you will be able to:

• Differentiate between the various types of anxiety disorders
• Recognise the common signs and symptoms associated with each anxiety disorder
• Outline the main non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments used in the management of anxiety
• Provide comprehensive advice and support to patients regarding the management of anxiety.