Education for Health endorse new training programme - ASCEND (Asthma Skills, Continued Education and Nurse Development)

2 September 2010

It has been launched to help provide practice nurses with additional knowledge about the causes and management of asthma and to bridge the gap between pre-registration training and more specialist, post graduate learning.

The programme was created in response to our survey which showed that around 50% of nurses at intermediate level (autonomously conducting diagnostic or follow up consultations but not both) and 20% of nurses at advanced level (autonomously confirming the diagnosis and providing follow-up care) had not obtained accredited training in asthma.¹

The programme is aimed at newly qualified nurses and those that have little respiratory experience as well as more experienced nurses who would like to revise and update their skills and knowledge in asthma. It is available in five modules, which may be read individually or as part of a broader asthma education programme. Each module is designed to be completed in an hour or so and includes questions to test knowledge as well as reflection points to assist with self-learning. Module 1 is now available and the other four modules will be rolled out over the next six months.

• Module 1: Asthma: Epidemiology, anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology

• Module 2: Asthma: Causes, triggers and diagnosis

• Module 3: Asthma: Management and treatment

• Module 4: Taking control

• Module 5: The asthma review

You may wish to use the ASCEND programme for training purposes, either by recommending it to colleagues for individual learning or using it as a basis for a practice or local group training session. A set of introductory slides is available to provide an overview of the ASCEND programme. A trainer slide set will also be available later this year.

Modules are available free of charge in printed form (from MSD). The modules may also be accessed electronically via the CPD Zone on the Nursing in Practice website.

If you would like to discuss the ASCEND programme with MSD or request a CD-ROM of the introductory slides for you to use with colleagues, please contact the ASCEND Project Manager on 01992 452040 or send an e-mail to ascendmsd@merck.com 

References:

1. Upton J, Madoc-Sutton H, Sheikh A et al. National survey on the roles and training of primary care respiratory nurses in the UK in 2006: are we making progress? Primary Care Respiratory Journal 2007;16(5):284-290 06-12 SGA/13115-10 Primary Care Respiratory Society UK Secretariat

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