APhA | Pharmacy-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management Certificate Program
Program Overview
APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Management is an innovative and interactive certificate training program that explores the pharmacist’s role in cardiovascular disease risk management. This practice-based activity is the first step for pharmacists interested in learning the essential skills to successfully assess risk, promote cardiovascular disease prevention, and encourage patient adherence to therapy.
Course Information
- Educate pharmacists on current evidence-based treatment goals and clinical management recommendations for dyslipidemia and hypertension.
- Familiarize pharmacists with important concepts related to healthful lifestyle changes that focus on cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Introduce techniques and skills for encouraging patient adherence to prescribed therapies.
- Ensure pharmacist proficiency in blood pressure measurement technique and point-of-care lipid testing.
- Enhance pharmacist experience in applying elements of motivational interviewing with respect to medication adherence and lifestyle modifications.
- The self-study modules will focus on these core areas:
- Module 1. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment — Assessment of factors that put patients at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
- Module 2. Managing Dyslipidenia — Review of pathophysiology, explanation of the recommended approach to treatment, and extensive discussion of pharmacologic options for the management of dyslipidemia.
- Module 3. Managing Hypertension — Review of pathophysiology, explanation of the recommended approach to treatment, and extensive discussion of pharmacologic options for the management of hypertension.
- Module 4. Lifestyle Modifications and Risk Factor Management —Discussion of recommended dietary interventions, physical activity, weight reduction, and smoking cessation.
- Module 5. The Pharmacist’s Role in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Management — Explanation of ongoing patient monitoring techniques and communication with prescribers to optimize patient self-management (including adherence and behavior change counseling).
- The live seminar will focus on these core areas:
- A case-based approach to cardiovascular disease risk assessment and treatment decisions, managing special situations, treating hypertension in a patient with diabetes, and lifestyle modifications and motivational interviewing.
- Skills assessments on blood pressure measurement technique and motivational interviewing. Participants will be conducting blood pressure assessments on other participants.
- A discussion regarding the role of the pharmacist and existing business models for cardiovascular disease risk management services.
- Registration
- Morning Session:
- Welcome and Introductions
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment and Treatment Decisions
- Aspirin for Primary Prevention of ASCVD Events
- Special Considerations for Management of Hypertension and Lipids in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease or Advanced Age
- Treatment Decisions for Patients with Borderline Risk
- Managing Risks of Statin Therapy
- Hospital Re-admissions
- Lifestyle Modifications
- Lunch and Networking
- Afternoon Session
- Motivational Interviewing
- Motivational Interviewing Activity
- Patient Assessment Skills
- Blood Pressure Measurement Practice
- Business Considerations and Practice Models
- Transitions of Care Patient Case
- Take Home Points, Questions, and Final Instructions
- Adjournment
Course material and exams will be accessed online - In order to participate in this activity, registrants must have access to a computer with minimum system requirements: Internet connectivity with current version of internet browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer (V8 and above); Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash Player 8 or higher, Windows 95, Pentium 3 or equivalent processor, 64 MB of free memory (not 64 MB total), and Audio: Sound card and speakers or earphones. CLICK HERE for full technology requirements.