Seminar for Practice Nurses

Asthma and respiratory management seminar for practice nurses.

Part of the National Asthma Council Australia's GP and Allied Health Professional Asthma & Respiratory Education Program, supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

The Asthma and Respiratory Management Seminar for Practice Nurses provides role-specific education on best-practice asthma and respiratory management for practice nurses.

Starting with the principles of diagnosis and management, each session then covers current statistics, paediatric and adult asthma, allergy, medications, device technique and COPD followed by an overview of conducting spirometry in general practice.

Workshops are presented by health professional peer educators from our team of experts, which includes asthma and respiratory educators and practice nurses.

The NAC piloted the Seminar in 2009 and is pleased to have received funding for a full roll out from 2010. Under the pilot program:

  • 98% of participants reported they had increased knowledge of evidence-based best-practice asthma management
  • 100% of participants reported they had developed practical skills to support the use of evidence-based practice
  • 100% of participants reported the workshop was relevant to their practice

Key details

Participants: Practice nurses, asthma and respiratory educators
Duration: 6 hours (including breaks)
Cost: Free

Learning objectives

Learning objectives for participants - practice nurses:

  • Increase knowledge and awareness of current, evidence-based best practice in asthma and respiratory management
  • Develop practical skills to support the use of evidence-based procedures and practices (e.g. device use, patient education, spirometry)
  • Learn strategies to incorporate this knowledge/skills systematically into routine clinical practice
  • Increase confidence in managing patients with asthma and linked chronic respiratory conditions

Professional development recognition

Seminar participants may be eligible for continuing professional development (CPD) points from the following organisations:

  • Australian Practice Nurses Association (APNA): This activity has been endorsed by APNA according to approved criteria. Completion of this activity entitles eligible participants to claim 5 APNA CPD hours.
  • Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA): This workshop has been endorsed by RCNA according to approved criteria for 5.5 CNE points as part of RCNA’s Life Long Learning Program (3LP)

This activity has been endorsed by Australian Asthma and Respiratory Educators Association Inc.

Workshop request

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).

The host organisation will need to:

  • Schedule and organise the session
  • Arrange the venue, audiovisual equipment and catering
  • Promote the workshop to local practice nurses and asthma & respiratory educators
  • Receive registrations and confirm attendee participation
  • Be on-hand to coordinate the running of the workshop
  • Provide a brief report on the workshop after the session

Funding is available to assist host organisations with their costs.

If your organisation would like to host a workshop, please complete and return the Workshop Request Form.