Welcome to the MORPh Associateship Hub

Interpretation of Blood Results

This session was recorded: 29/04/2024

This session covers:

• Introduction to interpreting blood results
• Anaemias: identifying & interpreting iron/folates/b12 and when to refer, Red flags
• Thyroid: understanding TSH, T3 & T4 and what to do
• LFT: what do they mean, how do they impact on medicines, red flags

Renal, LFTs & Haematology

This session was recorded: 03/12/2024

Thyroid Function Tests & Endocrinology

This session was recorded: 05/12/2024

Lipid Profile Interpretation

This session was recorded: 17/12/2024

Heart Failure 

This session was recorded: 18/01/2024

This session covers:

• Understanding heart failure
• Differentiating between heart failure types (HFpEF, HFrEF)
• Pathophysiology and underlying causes
• Signs, symptoms and diagnostic tests
• Discussion on drug classes- ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Beta-blockers, diuretics etc..
• Recent developments and emerging treatments
• Guidelines and recommendations for managing HF in primary care
• Role of SGLT-2 Inhibitors
• Challenges and common pitfalls in medication management
• Presenting case scenarios and discussing medication selection and management
• Challenges and common pitfalls in medication management – case study approach

Headaches & Migraines 

This session was recorded: 12/02/2024

This session covers:

• Pathophysiology of migraine and headaches
• Epidemiology and impact of migraine
• Diagnosis of migraine and other headaches
• Medication overuse headache and when to be worried
• Treatment options including acute treatment and prophylaxis options
• Triptans, Antiemetics and other less common treatment options
• Red flags and when to refer

Managing Polypharmacy & Opioids Using Practice Data

This session was recorded: 19/03/2024

Appropriate Prescribing of Antibiotics Including Dermatology and UTIs

This session was recorded: 18/09/2024

This session covers:

• Provide an overview of antibiotic prescribing guidelines in primary care
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) importance and guidance nationally
• How pharmacy professionals in primary care can support AMR reduction
• AMR in UTIs when to treat, when to refer
• AMR in Dermatology in Acne, Rosacea and Psoriasis
• Antibiotic stewardship

What’s New In Acne 

This session was recorded: 03/10/2024

This session covers:

• What’s new in Acne
• Isotretinoin Update
• Q & A

Management of T2 Diabetes & Footcare Essentials

This session was recorded: 21/02/2024

This session covers:

• Overview of T2 Diabetes – prevalence, causes and risk factors
• Importance of footcare in T2 Diabetes management
• Anatomy of diabetic foot – understanding the vulnerabilities
• Impact of diabetes on foot health complications and risks
• Identifying warning signs – neuropathy, ulcers and infections
• Daily footcare practices – recommendations and best practices
• Role of Pharmacist in diabetic footcare – engaging with patients
• Prevention Strategies, footwear, hygiene and lifestyle recommendations
• Medication management impact on foot health and wound healing

CGM & BG Monitoring In Primary Care

This session was recorded: 24/04/2024

This session covers:

Basics of Blood Glucose Monitoring

• Understanding the importance of blood glucose monitoring in diabetes management
• Different methods of blood glucose monitoring (self monitoring, CGM etc.)
• Key parameters to consider in blood glucose monitoring

Interpreting BGM & CGM Data

• Understanding the data generated by BGM & CGM systems, trends patterns and insights
• How to use BGM & CGM data to make treatment decisions

Guidelines and Best Practices

• New NHS Commissioning Guidelines and recommendations for CGM use in primary care

Patient Centred Approach

• The role of primary car pharmacists in patient education and support
• Strategies for empowering patients to use CGM effectively
• Addressing patient concerns and questions

Frail Elderly – Nutrition, Bone, Deprescribing 

This session was recorded: 08/03/2024

This session covers:

• Defining Frailty in the Elderly
• Impact on Frailty on the healthcare system
• QoF indicators
• The Role of Pharmacists in frailty management
• Importance of proper nutrition in frail elderly patients
• Common nutritional deficiencies
• Osteoporosis in the elderly
• Risk factors for falls and fractures
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions
• Managing polypharmacy in elderly patients

Frail Elderly – Nutrition, Bone, Deprescribing 

This session was recorded: 20/09/2024

This session covers:

• Defining Frailty in the Elderly
• Impact on Frailty on the healthcare system
• QoF indicators
• The Role of Pharmacists in frailty management
• Importance of proper nutrition in frail elderly patients
• Common nutritional deficiencies
• Osteoporosis in the elderly
• Risk factors for falls and fractures
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions
• Managing polypharmacy in elderly patients

Bone – RA, OA and Biologics

This session was recorded: 14/10/2024

This session covers:

Overview of Bone Health in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

• Understanding the impact of RA on bone health
• Common bone-related complications in RA patients
• Pharmacological considerations for managing bone health in RA.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and Its Connection to Bone Health

• Exploring the relationship between OA and bone health
• Identifying bone changes in OA patients
• Pharmacological interventions for promoting bone health in OA.

Introduction to Biologics in Rheumatology

• Overview of biologic therapies and their role in managing RA and OA
• Understanding the mechanism of action of biologics
• Potential impact of biologics on bone health

Management of Common GI Conditions in Primary Care

This session was recorded: 17/05/2024

This session covers:

• Common gastrointestinal disorders in primary care
• Symptoms, causes and diagnostic approaches
• Role of pharmacists in early detection and management
• Medication management for common GI conditions (GERD, IBS/IBD, Peptic Ulcers, Biliary Colic, Gallstones)
• Exploring OTC medicines and prescription medications
• Key considerations in pharmacological interventions
• Red Flags
• Importance of patient education and counselling
• Addressing patient concerns and promoting adherence
• Management of conditions in primary care to reduce interventions

Gastroenterology in Primary Care

This session was recorded: 15/10/2024

This session covers:

• Common gastrointestinal disorders in primary care
• Symptoms, causes and diagnostic approaches
• Role of pharmacists in early detection and management
• Medication management for common GI conditions (GERD, IBS, Peptic Ulcers, Biliary Colic, Gallstones, IBD)
• Exploring OTC medicines and prescription medications
• Key considerations in pharmacological interventions
• Importance of patient education and counselling
• Addressing patient concerns and promoting adherence
• Management of conditions in primary care to reduce interventions

Managing Paediatric Insomnia & ADHD

This session was recorded: 04/07/2024

This session covers:

• Setting the scene
• Sleep Hygiene tips for Parents.
• When to Refer and Shared Care approach
• How can Primary Care and Specialists work collaboratively to support sleep management in Children and Young People
• CBT or behavioural interventions for insomnia
• Local Guidelines: Treatments and Management Pathways for Insomnia including licensed indications and Immediate Release vs Modified Release differences for medications.

Depression: Bringing The Black Dog to Heel

This session was recorded: 29/07/2024

This session covers:

• Treatment guidelines
• Demographics
• Is it depression? Diagnostic considerations
• Suicide/self-harm considerations
• Non-drug/non-medicalised treatments
• Drug treatments:
  • Antidepressants and others
  • Pros, cons and limitations
• Reviewing antidepressants
• Switching
• Reducing and stopping

Understanding Dementia

This session was recorded: 04/11/2024

This session covers:

• Defining Dementia
• Types of Dementia
• Prevalence and Impact
• Common risk factors
• Early signs and symptoms and early detection importance
• Pharmacological interventions
• Medications and their effects – risks and benefits, managing adverse effects
• Non-drug strategies, lifestyle modifications
• Patient monitoring, communication with patients and caregivers
• Case Studies

Ophthalmology In Primary Care

This session was recorded: 08/02/2024

This session covers:

• Supporting NHSE Guidance on conditions for which over the counter items should not be routinely prescribed
• Dry eyes – causes and treatments. Cost effective and patient focused approaches
• Glaucoma management and treatment pathways
• Preservative free preparations and what this means in practice
• Acute eye conditions, red flags and when to refer
• Age related Macular degeneration – overview and management

SMRs & Medicines Optimisation and Sustainability in Respiratory Care 

This session was recorded: 30/09/2024

This session covers:

• Respiratory & Sustainability in QoF and DES
• Overview of common respiratory conditions in primary care
• Importance of optimising medication in respiratory care
• Benefits of SMRs in respiratory care
• Guidelines and frameworks for conducting SMRs
• Search criteria and standardised SOPs
• Sustainability vs cost effectiveness
• Case studies highlighting successful SMRs in respiratory care

Pharmacy Technicians Role in Conducting an SMR

This session was recorded: 28/06/2024

This session covers:

• What is an SMR?
• Different types of SMR
• Topics for conducting preliminary SMR’s
• Resources available
• Next steps on how to conduct a preliminary SMR
• Documentation on GP system
• Safety netting / Ways to communicate recommendations

Menopause & HRT Prescribing 

This session was recorded: 29/01/2024

This session covers:

• Pathology of menopause
• Guidelines
• Symptoms of menopause
• Treatment options: HRT, CBT
• Different forms of HRT and prescribing information, including dose changes and alternatives for stock shortages
• Risk factors when prescribing HRT