Since 2002, the National Asthma Council Australia has offered best-practice asthma and respiratory management education workshops for GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals, supported by the Australian Government.

Our current GP and Allied Health Professional Asthma and Respiratory Education Program (GPAHPAREP) is funded from 2009-2013 as part of the Department of Health and Ageing's wider Asthma Management Program.

The NAC's Program offers five workshop types, delivered via a unique and effective model that provides both national consistency and local flexibility.

Workshop types

• Primary Care Asthma Update [A-Team ®] (2 hours) - best-practice essentials for all primary care health professionals
• Asthma & Respiratory Management Seminar for Practice Nurses (6 hours) - role-specific education for practice nurses
• Spirometry Training Course (6 hours) - comprehensive training in the application, measurement and interpretation of spirometry for GPs and practice nurses
• Spirometry Training Update (2.5 hours) - refresher training for GPs and practice nurses who have undertaken formal spirometry training previously
• Asthma Update for Aboriginal Health Workers (3.5 hours) - role-specific education for Aboriginal health workers

Workshop format

Each workshop event is run as a single stand-alone session, held in conjunction with a local host organisation (usually a GP network/division). Workshops are available across Australia reflecting our commitment to reach regional and remote health professionals.

Workshops are presented by members of the NAC's team of experts, which include GPs, asthma and respiratory educators, practice nurses and respiratory scientists. All presentation material is provided by the NAC to ensure the information is consistent, complete and up-to-date regardless of where the workshop is held.

Attendance is free.

Participants may be eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) points from their professional association. See the relevant workshop webpage for details.

Attending a workshop

Attendance and scheduling of workshops is coordinated by the host organisation (usually a GP network/division). If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact your local GP network/division.

Hosting a workshop

Each workshop is held in conjunction with a local host organisation, which is usually a GP network/division or primary care service. Hosting a workshop is generally quite straightforward, as the NAC coordinates the presenters and resource materials (including associated expenses).

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please complete the Workshop Request Form on the relevant workshop webpage.

Presenting a workshop

We are keen to involve suitably qualified and experienced health professionals from all areas of Australia in our presenting team. Members generally present workshops in their local region, although volunteers for travel are occasionally sought.

Presenter session fees are paid through the program funding from the Department of Health and Ageing. Travel expenses are also covered according to the NAC's policy.

If you are interested in joining our presenting team, please contact us.

More information

If you would like to know more, please contact:

Jessica Groom, Project Administrator
National Asthma Council Australia