Atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias

This learning programme will enable you to improve the detection of atrial fibrillation in your role and provide person-centred care to support people with atrial fibrillation to self-manage their condition. 

This focal point is linked to the Fundamentals of cardiovascular therapeutics e-course. As part of the preparation for the focal point it is essential that you work through Unit 2 of this e-course before attending the focal point online workshop.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme you should be able to:

• describe how you can work collaboratively to improve the detection of people with atrial fibrillation
• support people by taking a person-centred approach in the prevention of stroke and risks associated with atrial fibrillation
• demonstrate a shared decision-making approach to consultations to support people with atrial fibrillation
• apply clinical guidance in practice to support people with medicines optimisation for atrial fibrillation
• empower people to make lifestyle changes and reduce modifiable risk factors to help prevent further complications associated with atrial fibrillation.

The aim of this e-course is to develop your knowledge and skills in cardiovascular therapeutics. This will enable you to provide a person-centred approach to support the healthcare of people living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. It is designed for pharmacy professionals working in all areas of practice.

To facilitate your learning, we have structured the course into seven units. Some units are larger than others, but we estimate that you will need to commit an average of three hours of learning for each unit.

• Unit 1 – Introduction to cardiovascular therapeutics
• Unit 2 – Atrial fibrillation
• Unit 3 – Blood pressure
• Unit 4 – Cholesterol
• Unit 5 – Stable angina
• Unit 6 – Acute coronary syndrome
• Unit 7 – Heart failure

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of all aspects of this learning programme, you should be able to:

• describe the anatomy and function of the cardiovascular system
• explain the changes to cardiovascular system anatomy and function occurring in common cardiovascular conditions
• identify opportunities to develop your role and professional networks to deliver holistic and seamless care for people living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• apply your knowledge of medicines and cardiovascular guidelines to support evidence-based decisions and medicines optimisation for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease
• demonstrate a shared decision making approach to the care of people living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• create a personal action plan that describes the actions you will take to support people living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease

We have a portfolio of clinical fact sheets which includes topics such as pneumonia, UTIs and healthcare associated infections. Each fact sheet should refresh your knowledge of that particular condition and provide you with links to appropriate further resources.

Each fact sheet should refresh your knowledge of that specific condition such as Atrial Fibrillation and provide you with links to appropriate further resources.

This e-assessment is linked with the CPPE Fundamentals of cardiovascular therapeutics e-course programme, and assesses you on the learning outcomes in that programme. 

Why should I do this assessment?

This e-assessment completes the learning you began with the CPPE Fundamentals of cardiovascular therapeutics e-course. Access and successful completion will contribute to your own personal development plan, be recorded in your My CPPE record and will enable you to complete a CPD entry on the learning. It may also provide evidence for achieving competencies in the RPS Foundation or Advanced Pharmacy Frameworks. If you are working towards completing a Declaration of Competence for a pharmacy service, successful completion of this assessment will provide evidence of your learning.

Calculate the stroke risk for people with atrial fibrillation using the CHADSVASC score.