New online program trains pharmacy assistants in smoking cessation
Tuesday April 28, 2009
A groundbreaking online learning program 'Clearing the Smoke' is now available to facilitate healthcare professionals in assisting their patients with smoking cessation.

The active learning program offers General Practioners, Pharmacists, Nurses and other health professionals the opportunity to build on their current knowledge of smoking cessation while further developing counselling skills and the overall management and expertise needed to offer the best service to their patients.

The program's unique online interactive platform provides healthcare professionals with flexibility in completing the various learning modules. The program is tailored to assist and enhance any healthcare professional who deals with or has interests in smoking cessation.

The content of this learning program has been peer reviewed by Dr John Litt, Noarlunga Health Surgery and Professor Nick Zwar from the General Practice Unit at Fairfield Hospital. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points have been allocated by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) - 40 category one points, Australian College of Rural Remote Medicine (ACRRM) 10 points, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) - 6 points and the Royal College of Nursing (RCNA) - 6 points.

Program reviewer, Professor Nick Zwar explained that Clearing the smoke is unique in that it provides a comprehensive online education program in smoking cessation for both GPs, Pharmacists and Practice Nurses. The modules of ?Clearing the Smoke? cover not only nicotine dependence and pharmacotherapy but also counselling skills such as motivational interviewing and how to incorporate smoking cessation into everyday practice.

'Clearing the Smoke' encompasses seven modules two core compulsory modules and five elective modules. These include: Science of Addiction; Pharmacotherapy; Impact of Smoking; How Can I help?; Counselling; The Team Approach and Challenging Scenarios.

To register for "Clearing the Smoke" visit clearingthesmoke.com.au

'Clearing the Smoke' has been developed by Ogilvy Healthworld and funded by Pfizer Australia.