Introduction

Treatment adherence is generally regarded as an important factor in achieving optimal outcomes of many diseases. Poor adherence risks the immediate health of the patient, but also risks creating permanent treatment resistance to that agent or group of agents within a given combination therapy regimen. The causes of poor adherence to medication are extremely diverse, and include complexity of therapeutic regimens, treatment side effects, poor health literacy, poor patient-health-worker relationship and limited access to medication. Treatment approaches, such as educational interventions, have been shown to improve adherence to therapy. This course on adherence counselling can be applied to the management of all chronic diseases but the content of the course focuses on the management of ART programmes to improve outcomes of treatment and to reduce the morbidity and mortality as it pertains to AIDS.

Learning Outcomes

On achieving this course, a learner will be able to:

• Demonstrate the difference between HIV, TB, and Non-communicable diseases through effective communication with patients.
• Discuss the assessment, counselling, and assistance to patients who a going on or are on chronic medication and thereby need to adhere with treatment.
• Explain the process to support therapy supervision.
• Discuss the empowerment of patients to take responsibility for self-management/care of their condition.
• Explain the monitoring of treatment, identification of side effects, the management and referral of adherence to treatment.

Who Should Enroll

All health care workers

Course Design

This is an eLearning course.

Course Content

The following modules are included in this short course:

1. Introduction to HIV/AIDS, TB, STIs and non-communicable diseases
2. Counselling and communication skills assessment, counselling, and assistance to patients who a going on or are on chronic medication.
3. Treatment Adherence
4. Support therapy supervision.
5. Essential Information for ART, TB and STI Patients

Assessment

Participants are assessed on the self-study component of the course through means of MCQ’s after each module for which a pass mark of 70% is required.

Time

The minimum period for completion is 3 months from date of registration.

Certification

FPD will award successful participants with a certificate on completion of this course should they successfully complete the assessment process.

Accreditation

Accredited according to the HPCSA’s Medical and Dental Board Guidelines for Health Care Professionals for 30 clinical CEU’s on Level 2.

Course Fee

R999.00 (Inclusive of VAT and taxes where applicable)

When Can You Enrol

Participants can enrol for this course at any time.

Contact

For more information or to register, please contact
FPD Nursing School
Email: nursing@foundation.co.za
Tel: +27 87 821 1109