Welcome to the IPU Academy Spring Programme

Welcome to the IPU Academy Spring Programme, which follows our successful Autumn Programme, where 2,300 attendances were recorded. Using your personal membership login, you can view and book online all the live learning courses in the IPU Academy Spring Programme.

The IPU Academy Spring Programme will deliver Continuing Education (CE) in traditional presentation format, i.e. a two-hour live learning seminar, at a location near you. In addition to the live learning events, we plan to hold a number of national webinars on www.ipuacademy.ie during the Spring Programme.

The five topics in the IPU Academy Spring Programme were selected based on your feedback and, as usual, will be delivered in venues countrywide. The topics are all of current relevance and designed to assist you in developing and delivering services to your patients in your pharmacy.

The format for the live learning remains unchanged; courses will start at 8pm sharp and will last two hours. Coffee and refreshments will be served. 

Please note: We decided to introduce an Express Topic Course into the IPU Academy Spring Programme 2017, which proved very popular. The Cystic Fibrosis course will start at the earlier time of 7.30pm and finish at 9pm. Coffee and refreshments will be available from 7pm, prior to the course starting at 7.30pm, instead of the usual coffee break midway through the course.

The new IIOP system for monitoring our engagement with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has now come into effect. IPU Academy is here to support your engagement with the new CPD system. There are five stages to the CPD cycle. A copy of the CPD cycle is included in the CPD template which is provided for each topic. You can enter at any stage of the CPD cycle, e.g. by attending an IPU Academy course you will have completed an Action stage of the CPD cycle. You can then download your IPU Academy Attendance Certificate to assist in completing the Document stage of the CPD cycle.

Feedback and suggestions for future topics to be developed by IPU Academy are welcome at ipuacademy@ipu.ie.


Dyslipidaemia

It is widely acknowledged that cholesterol is a significant modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, despite the wealth of evidence on the benefit of cholesterol reduction in reducing the risk of a cardiovascular event, many patients are still unaware of this positive impact and thus the importance of risk factor screening.

The aim of this course is to provide an update on the impact of cholesterol as a CHD risk factor, target values for lipids and effective management strategies to achieve and maintain optimal cholesterol values.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrhythmia which, if not managed correctly, places patients at an increased risk of stroke. With our aging population, the incidence of AF is growing, which gives rise to an increased emphasis on the understanding, screening and treatment of AF.

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of AF risk factors, outline treatment options available and provide useful information on AF monitoring and management.


Update on Proton Pump Inhibitors

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) continue to be the most widely prescribed items in Ireland (PCRS, 2015). The IPU Academy Spring Programme 2013 course on PPIs discussed the indication for their use, as well as highlighting emerging concerns around the long-term use of PPIs.

The aim of this course is to provide an update on the safety and efficacy of PPIs and provide information on auditing use of PPIs in at-risk patient groups such as the elderly or nursing home residents.

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid dysfunction can manifest itself in many ways so the diagnosis of a thyroid disorder may be delayed because of the range of symptoms linked to thyroid disorders.

The aim of this course to provide information on the symptoms, diagnostic criteria and management of thyroid disorders.

Cystic Fibrosis

(Express Topic, 7.30pm – 9pm)

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is Ireland's most common genetically inherited disease. With over 1,200 patients with Cystic Fibrosis, Ireland has the highest incidence (per head of population) of CF in the world.

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of CF, its causes, symptoms and all options available for its treatment and management.