Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

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Chronic Disease & Symptom Optimization in the Care of the Older Adult: A Course for Nurse Practitioners and Advanced Practice Nurses

Date to be determined

6 week course

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Delivery Format: Online

Course Description
Format and Schedule
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  • Course Description

    This 6 week online course, designed by nurse practitioners specialized in the field of geriatric care, is a companion course to Excelling in the Care of the Older Adult. You will further enhance your skill and knowledge in geriatric care, through an in depth focus on special topics such as end of life care deprescribing, and controlled drug and substance use. Ten common chronic diseases including comorbidities and complexities will be reviewed with a focus on relevant pathophysiology, assessment, clinical reasoning, assessment, and management. The course will also address the management of common conditions and symptoms including pain, aging skin disorders, weight loss and nutrition, thyroid disease, influenza, and polymyalgia.  Throughout the course, increased emphasis will be placed on application of learning through review of complex cases.

    This course includes:

    • 6 weeks of course content and 2 live sessions focusing on case discussions
    • Access to Nurse Practitioners specializing in the field of geriatric care
    • Access to all course resources such as references, practice standards, clinical practice guidelines and tools.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

    1. Describe the management of common chronic diseases and co-morbid/complex conditions in the elderly.
    2. Identify evidence informed practices in the care of the elderly related to pain management, and end of life care.
    3. Discuss approaches to the management of common conditions and symptoms such as skin disorders, weight loss, dizziness, polymyalgia, influenza, and thyroid disease.
    4. Employ best practices in prescribing and deprescribing for the elderly.
    5. Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills during case study discussions of complex patient management cases.

    Audience

    • Nurse Practitioners
    • Advanced Practice Nurses
    • Clinical Nurse Specialists
    • Nurse Educators
    • Registered Nurses specializing in geriatrics

  • Faculty

    Lead Faculty

    Michelle Acorn DNP, NP-Adult/PHC,  MN/ACNP, GNC(C), CGP, FCAN
    Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

    Course Faculty

    Karen Lock RN(EC), MN, CON(C), CHPCN(C)
    Nurse Practitioner, Supportive Care, North York General Hospital
    Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

    Donna Ruffo RN(EC), MN, NP-Adult, GNC(C)
    Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Medicine
    Adjunct Lecturer, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

    Katherine Trip NP-Adult, MN
    Assistant Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto

  • Format and Schedule

    Lead Faculty

    This course is offered as an online primarily asynchronous course through the University of Toronto Learning Portal – QUERCUS. Each week, participants will view  e-learning modules, review required readings and resources, and actively engage with learning activities such as discussion board. Two synchronous sessions focused on a case discussion will be scheduled during the course during the evening. All synchronous sessions will be recorded for those who cannot attend the live session.

    Each week will consist of a recorded lecture by faculty who are expert clinicians in their field. Faculty will be available for questions through the discussion boards during the scheduled week for the module. Additional clinical resources will be provided such as clinical practice guidelines, references, relevant practice standards, and clinical tools for practice.

     

    Week

     

    Topic

     

    Faculty

     

    Activity

    1 Management of Common Chronic Diseases: Comorbidities & Complexities (Top Ten)

    • Hypertension
    • Hyperlipidemia
    • Heart Failure
    • Atrial Fibrillation
    • Diabetes
    Michelle Acorn Discussion Board
    2 Management of Common Chronic Diseases: Comorbidities & Complexities (Top Ten)

    • Arthritis
    • COPD
    • Pneumonia
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Post CVA Management
    Donna Ruffo Discussion Board
    3 End of Life Care

    • Prognostication
    • Symptom Management
    • Goals of care and Advance Care Planning
    • MAID
    Karen Lock Discussion Board
    4 Advanced Pharmacology Management and Deprescribing

    • Review deprescribing of PPIs, Antipsychotics, Anticholinergics, Benzodiazepines, Glycemic Agents, Lipid Agents
    • Cased based Applications of Appropriate Prescribing
    Michelle Acorn Discussion Board

    Live Session on End of Life Care

    5 Management of Common Conditions and Symptoms

    • Weight Loss and Nutrition
    • Thyroid Disease

     

    Management of Common Conditions and Symptoms

    Acute and Chronic Pain

    • Controlled Drugs and Substances
    Donna Ruffo

    Kathy Trip

    Discussion Board

    Live Session on Deprescribing

    6 Management of Common Conditions and Symptoms

    • Polymyalgia, Giant Cell Arteritis, Trigeminal Neuralgia
    • Skin Conditions
    • Influenza
    Michelle Acorn Discussion Board
  • Registration Information

    Fees

    Early Bird price (ends February 3, 2021) $650 + HST
    Regular price (starting February 4, 2021) $720 + HST
    U of T Nursing Alumni save 15%* $615 + HST
    NPAO Member save 15%* $615 + HST

    Site Groups

    A group discount rate is available for site groups of three or more people. For details please contact pd.nursing@utoronto.ca.

    Please Note

    • Refund Policy – To withdraw from the course and receive a refund, your written request must be emailed to pd.nursing@utoronto.ca by January 22, 2021. No refunds will be given after this date. All refunds are subject to an administration fee of $100 + tax. As an alternative, a colleague may attend in your place. Please send your substitution request at least 7 days before the course.
    • Registration is limited.
    • Advanced registration is required. You must register by February 19, 2021.
    • U of T Nursing Alumni discount is available to participants who hold a BScN, MN, PMNP Diploma, MScN or PhD from the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto.
    • U of T Nursing Faculty discount is available to participants who hold a current faculty position, a clinical instructor position, an adjunct appointment or a status appointment to the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto
    • NPAO (Nurse Practitioner Association of Ontario) members may register at the NPAO rate which is 15% off the regular rate. Please note, your name will be used to confirm that you are a member of the NPAO.
    • Applicable taxes (13% HST) will be added to the registration fees.
    • Course Cancellation Policy – The university reserves the right to cancel courses due to unavailability of instructors, facilities or insufficient enrollment. Decisions on course cancellations are made at least 15 calendar days prior to the course starting date, so early registration is recommended. If you enroll in a course that is subsequently cancelled, you may transfer to another section of that course if an alternative is available; or you may receive a full refund of the fee and tax you paid to the University of Toronto. We are not responsible for travel arrangements, travel fees, or any expenses incurred by you.
  • Contact Us

    Email: pd.nursing@utoronto.ca
    Website: bloomberg.nursing.utoronto.ca/pd
    Phone: (416) 978-5207
    Address: Centre for Professional Development
    Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
    University of Toronto
    Suite 130
    155 College Street
    Toronto, ON
    Canada M5T 1P8

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