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Apr 3, 2012, volume 10, number 7
Ensure your pharmacy benefits from DIRC's drug information service in 2012 by completing your subscription renewal form as soon as possible. Please note that your DIRC subscription is a separate application and not connected to, or included in, your OPA membership renewal. See the “DIRC Subscription” section for more information.
2. In the
News
Click on the title for access to the
article or abstract.
Canadians more likely to rely on pharmacists as health source, survey finds
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3. Continuing Education Opportunities
Live programs 2012,
Toronto
Registration for all programs will be available
soon. Visit http://www.opatoday.com
for more information.
Injection and Immunization Certificate Program: Various dates and locations
The Injection and Immunization Certificate Program is a comprehensive two-part series designed to support pharmacists in the provision of injections for the purposes of education, demonstration and, eventually immunization once the regulations are in place. This blended program consists of live and web based components that will prepare pharmacists to eventually provide routine vaccinations and other injections. Prior to being able to deliver these services, pharmacists should also complete CPR/first aid training to the equivalent of the Red Cross Workplace Standard First Aid and CPR Course. Note that OPA has secured a special rate for members who complete this training with the Canadian Red Cross (see the member benefits section of the OPA website for details).
The live program will deliver all of the technical,
operational and procedural elements associated with injection, and will
include information ranging from the supplies needed, and an overview on
how to deal with emergency situations. Participants will benefit from
didactic lectures and practical training facilitated by trained healthcare
professionals. To receive the certificate of completion for this program,
participants will also be required to complete an online component.
Due
to the nature of this program, space is limited to 60 delegates.
Register now by clicking on the link
for:
April 22 (Thunder Bay), April 29 (Sault Ste Marie), June 14
(London), September 9 (Windsor), September 23 (Toronto)
More dates and locations are being planned.
Drugs by Inhalation Certificate Program: April 21
The Ontario Pharmacists’ Association is pleased to
offer its new Drugs by Inhalation Certificate Program, to help provide
pharmacists with the knowledge, skills and techniques to administer a drug
via inhalation once expanded scope of practice regulations are approved.
This one-day program, made up of both didactic lectures and hands-on
workshops, covers topics including: the types of drugs and specific
medications delivered by inhalation, the various types of devices, proper
administration technique and common errors in administration, care and
cleaning of devices, how to monitor patients to ensure proper technique,
and incorporating education on drugs by inhalation via the MedsCheck
program.
To receive the certificate of completion for this program,
participants will be required to attend the live program, achieve 70 per
cent or more on the post program examination, and be able to successfully
demonstrate the skills required to administer a drug by
inhalation.
Register now by clicking here.
Cardiovascular Patient Care: May 4-6
This three-day program enhances pharmacists’ understanding and skills in the area of cardiovascular patient care. The course brings together a number of studies, findings and clinical updates with the goal of providing participants with a comprehensive update on the current management of cardiovascular conditions.
Register now by clicking here.
Online Certificate
Programs
Available at www.pharmacisteducation.ca
Diabetes Patient Care - Level 1 Certificate Program
This online diabetes program provides pharmacists with a comprehensive overview of information required to obtain a basic understanding of the current management of diabetes in Canada. The program, taught by a multidisciplinary team of clinical experts, consists of 11 modules on various aspects of diabetes care based on the latest clinical practice guidelines from the Canadian Diabetes Association. This is a CCCEP-approved program.
Complimentary Online
Programs
Available at www.pharmacisteducation.ca
Methadone Education Program
These online modules are designed to provide pharmacists with tools to effectively manage their patients on methadone maintenance therapy. Modules cover topics such as the policies guiding methadone dispensing in Ontario, addiction management principles, methadone use in chronic pain management, and treatment in patients with co-morbid health problems.
This complimentary program is made available through funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Vitamin D in Osteoporosis
A review of the sources of vitamin D, vitamin D insufficiency in Canada, benefits and current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation are provided.
Smoking Cessation
This program discusses a current approach to smoking cessation that takes into account patients’ readiness for intervention, pharmacists’ availability, and currently available resources and tools to optimize the pharmacist-patient encounter. This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc.
Ulcerative Colitis
This 90-minute session provides a comprehensive overview of the current management of ulcerative colitis and describes ways in which pharmacists can become more integral in recognizing patients in the early stages of the condition. Pharmacists will gain insight into ulcerative colitis interventions that take into account the accessibility of the pharmacist within the community and their ability to recognize common symptoms that may lead to early physician evaluations and early diagnosis. This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Warner Chilcott Inc. (formerly Procter & Gamble).
Practical Management of Cough and Cold
This educational initiative was developed by OPA’s Drug Information and Research Centre in collaboration with content experts to provide an evidence-based approach to the management of cough and cold. During this one hour session both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options will be reviewed. There is also a focus on special populations. The program will introduce participants to tools and resources to assist in patient assessment, product recommendation, monitoring and follow-up for cough and cold management. This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Procter & Gamble Inc.
HealthForceOntario's Allied Health Professional Development Fund will provide grants for professional development activities completed between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012. Applications must be faxed, e-mailed or postmarked by March 31, 2012. Visit the website at www.ahpdf.ca for details.
4. Advisories and Adverse
Reactions
Click on the title for access to
the advisory.
Health Canada Warnings and Advisories
Advisories, Warnings and Recalls for Health Professionals
Advisories, Warnings and Recalls for the Public
Food and Drug Administration
2012 Safety Alerts for Human Medical Products
From the Institute for Safe Medication Practices
Drug Shortages and Medication Safety Concerns
5. Clinical Practice
Guidelines
Click on the title for access to
the guideline.
From the National Guideline
Clearinghouse
Screening
for Cervical Cancer
Guideline on antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients at risk for infection
From the
Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)
IDSA
clinical practice guideline for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in children
and adults
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6. Online
Publications
Click on the title for access
to the article or abstract.
From the Canadian Pharmacists
Journal
Evaluating the
labour costs associated with pharmacy adaptation services in British
Columbia
From the Canadian Paediatric
Society
Psychosocial
aspects of child and adolescent obesity
7. Evidence-Based
Reviews
Click on the title for access to
summaries.
Cochrane New and Updated Reviews
Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adults
Cholinesterase
inhibitors are beneficial for people with Parkinson's disease and
dementia
Join OPA's Faculty Registry as a speaker, facilitator or expert reviewer
The education department at OPA has an increased need for speakers, facilitators, and expert reviewers from across Canada for our growing number of educational programs. If you are interested in any of these roles, please click here to add your name to OPA's Faculty Registry.
Your 2012 DIRC subscription is now just $500 plus HST.
The Ontario Pharmacists' Association has lowered the cost of your annual DIRC subscription to make it more affordable for you to access DIRC's team of experienced, specially-trained pharmacists. You still receive unlimited access to DIRC's bilingual services and benefit from some of the fastest response times available to drug information inquiries in Ontario.
Your DIRC subscription also gives
you:
• subscribers-only access to the DIRC
website
• online access to New Drugs/Drug News, featuring drug
reviews and evaluations, drug product comparisons, and answers to
frequently asked questions, and Therapeutic Options, which gives
pharmacists access to pharmacotherapy-focused overviews of new clinical
guidelines on a variety of disease states
• up-to-date drug
information delivered right to your inbox every two weeks in the eDIRC
Bulletin
For more information about DIRC services and the various subscription options, or if you have not received your renewal form, please call Tina Starzenski at 1-800-268-8058 ext. 2252 or email tstarzenski@dirc.ca.
Why DIRC?
Through our timely,
unbiased, and evidence-based drug information, we aim to help
you:
• Increase efficiency in your day-to-day work
• Improve your patient relationships
• Build your
reputation with physicians and other healthcare professionals
Value for your subscription
As
a DIRC subscriber, you have access to:
• Hundreds of DIRC
publications on the DIRC website
• Current information from top
medical journals and databases
• A peer with whom you can
dialogue to resolve your drug-related queries
To subscribe, contact Tina Starzenski at tstarzenski@dirc.ca or 1-800-268-8058 ext. 2252 for more information.
Penny Tsang, BScPhm,
RPh
Nita Lakhani, BScPhm, RPh
Editors,
eDIRC Bulletin
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