Overview
Chronic respiratory conditions affect almost a third of Australians. They significantly impact patients' quality of life and productivity and lead to thousands of deaths each year. The online Foundation Certificate of Respiratory Conditions & Infections equips medical practitioners with the knowledge to diagnose, manage and prevent common respiratory illnesses, including asthma, COPD, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infections – one of the most common presentations managed in general practice.
Topic Covered
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Sinusitis
- Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
Improve patients' quality of life through effective prevention and management of respiratory illnesses.
Manage common respiratory illnesses, including asthma, COPD, sinusitis, lung cancer, and upper respiratory tract infections.
- This course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses and degree-qualified health professionals.
- CPD-accredited.
Course Benefits
- Reduce costs and hospital admissions for patients with chronic respiratory problems.
- Save lives through the early detection and prevention of potential complications associated with lung diseases.
- Improve patients' quality of life by treating respiratory conditions in-house and reducing referrals.
Get unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support, and more.
Course Contents
Asthma
This course commences with the description and epidemiology of asthma. The history, pathogenesis and a range of risk factors are outlined. An overview of the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with asthma also includes mimics of asthma symptoms. Diagnosis and management for adolescents and adults including diagnostic tools are outlined then moves to the diagnosis, diagnostic tools and management of asthma in infants and children. Red flags to look for are described. The course concludes with information on thunderstorm asthma, asthma emergencies, acute asthma in primary care, vaccination and lists available asthma resources.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This course discusses COPD and the possible contributing heterogenous group of associated processes. Characteristics, aetiology, pathogenesis and the burden of this disease are outlined. Each stage of the COPD-X guidelines: Case finding and confirm diagnosis, Optimize function, Prevent deterioration, Develop a plan of care and manage eXacerbations are explained in detail, including investigations, impact assessment, the overlap of asthma and COPD and measuring severity. Barriers to COPD diagnosis are detailed. Management options to optimize lung function and prevent deterioration including lifestyle factors, immunization and pharmacotherapy options are outlined. Comorbidities associated with patients with COPD are detailed and referral options outlined. The course also includes palliative care options. The course concludes with a summary of take home messages.
Sinusitis
This course begins with explaining the purpose of sinuses and how sinusitis can develop. Contributing risk factors and presenting symptoms are outlined. Examination rules are described for the nose, throat, ears and lungs including red flags for infection. Awareness of the stages of sinusitis, classifications and investigation options determine management options. Management options are detailed including nasal sprays, reducing inflammation, treating the underlying cause and safety netting at each step. Onward referral information is included. Prevention strategies and potential complications are outlined that consider other contributing factors that may lead to an alternative diagnosis. The course concludes with a clinical case example that reinforces the course content.
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
This course begins with an overview of URTI’s including the anatomy of the upper respiratory tract. Common infections are outlined including their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, differential diagnosis and treatment options. These infections include rhinitis, sinusitis, ear and mastoid, pharyngitis, tonsilitis, deep neck, laryngitis, croup and epiglottitis. The various severity levels of each of these conditions is described to assist with determining management options.
Study Modes
100% Online
Study at your own pace and to your own schedule.
- View and replay video lectures at your convenience.
- Participate in online case discussions with your peers.
- Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD hours and certificate.
HealthCert 365
Easily meet your CPD requirements and gain valuable skills – all in one place for $83 per month.
- Customize your learning experience by accessing and focusing only on course modules that interest you the most.
- Gain access to 200+ additional CPD activities and 50-hour special focus CPD programs, sourced from all HealthCert university-assured programs.
Pre- and Post-Course Information
Entry Requirements & Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
The Foundation Certificate of Respiratory Conditions & Infections is tailored for medical practitioners who wish to improve patients' quality of life through effective prevention and management of respiratory illnesses.
This course is for physicians and degree-qualified health professionals. There are no prerequisites.
Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.
Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
Participants who have already successfully completed the module on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease as part of the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Chronic Disease & Conditions may request a one-module reduction in fees for this course. The module examination questions will still need to be completed to ensure knowledge remains current.
Further professionally recognized qualifications and prior studies may be recognized for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Foundation Certificate of Respiratory Conditions & Infections and CPD hours.
This certificate course:
- Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
- Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
- Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
- Is recognized by Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP). The RNZCGP recognizes all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Peer review and audit are compulsory.
- Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
- Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.
- Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit HealthCert's FAQs.
Providers Terms
Course Transfers
Face to Face Courses
Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Tickets:
Course Fee$652| Contact Hours: | 40.5 hrs |
| Format: | Online Lectures |
| Duration: | Multiple Days |
| Lecture Videos | |
| Compatability: | All Devices |
| Language: | English |
| Subtitles: | Not Available |
| Provider: | HealthCert Education |
| Contact: |
Speaker(s):
 | Dr. Vaishali BhaleraoMBBS, MD, DGO, FRANZCOG, Doctor, Royal Hobart Hospital |
Beginning her medical career in Mumbai, India, Dr Vaishali Bhalerao has 22 years of knowledge and experience to impart. She completed her master's degree and went on to establish her own private practice, which she ran successfully for 15 years. During this period she also worked as Associate Professor in a state government hospital.
Before coming to Australia, Dr Bhalerao worked in one of the NHS hospital in the UK and since arriving in Australia in 2011 she has worked in various hospitals in Tasmania and Victoria including Mercy Werribee Hospital and Sunshine Hospital.
 | Dr. Kate MoriartyBMed (Hon), FRACGP, DCH, Registrar supervisor and senior lecturer for UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus |
Dr Kate Moriarty works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia, where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. She is a senior lecturer for UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus. She has special interests in women’s health and medical education.
She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.
 | Dr. Alice LamMBChB, FRACGP, General practitioner |
Dr Alice Lam is a general practitioner passionate about evidence-based medicine and education for medical professionals and their patients. She has over 23 years of medical experience in Australia and overseas. Dr Lam graduated from the University of Manchester, UK and practiced both as a locum and partner. Since 2008, she has worked as a GP in Melbourne, Australia. Her other interests include digital health, health writing and education for health professionals and patients.
 | Dr. Joseph SinghMBBS, FRACGP, Clinical Lead for Education, West Australian General Practice Education and Training |
Dr Joseph Singh is an Australian trained General Practitioner and a Fellow with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. After completing his expert qualification, he has developed special interests in medical education and skin cancer medicine.
Alongside practising medicine as a general practitioner, Dr Singh is also the Clinical Lead for Education at West Australian General Practice Education and Training (WAGPET), Lecturer at Curtin Medical School, and examiner for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
