EducAir Online Educational Series
The South African Thoracic Society in collaboration with GSK South Africa is proud to present the EducAir online educational series. This is part of SATS and GSK South Africa’s ongoing efforts to improve the management of patients living with obstructive airways disease in South Africa.
The modules are available on demand, each of the modules is CPD accredited meaning you can complete one module and receive CPD points, all you need to do is register. Each module has playback and repeat functions, a closed captions option, and extended narration to enhance your learning experience. On completion, you will also be able to share feedback on the module and we are looking forward to hearing from you on this.
The content includes materials useful for all levels of clinical practice for registered doctors and shares valuable learnings in the management of COPD patients. Certain medications and medical devices referred to in these training modules are not registered in South Africa, but are registered with the FDA and/or EMA with COPD patient management indications. These are included for educational purposes relevant to current guidelines on COPD treatment. The inclusion of medications and medication delivery devices does not imply the future registration of it in South Africa.
It is known in South Africa that patients living with COPD are underdiagnosed and undertreated and we hope that EducAir will contribute to improving on this for patients. So, please click on the modules below to engage with the content, share feedback and continue improving the lives of our patients.
EducAir Learning Modules
The South African Thoracic Society in collaboration with GSK South Africa is proud to present the EducAir online educational series. This is part of SATS and GSK South Africa’s ongoing efforts to improve the management of patients living with obstructive airways disease in South Africa.
Please remember to update your profile under “My Account” with your MP number. This is important so your MP numbers will show on your CPD certificate.
The Basics of COPD
We review the basics of COPD including it’s definition, diagnostic criteria, prevalence and burden, assessment and management and a focus on acute exacerbations of COPD. These modules set important context for management of patients living with COPD and serve as a refresher on current thinking in COPD clinical practise.
The Basics of COPD Module 1: What is COPD?
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
We revisit current thinking about the basics of COPD with up to date references. Module 1 entitled "What is COPD?" shares the current definition, aetiology, risk factors, common comorbidities, pathophysiology and how to support patient management adherence.
The Basics of COPD Module 2: Prevalence and Burden of COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
We look at the aspects of prevalence of COPD patients as well as the burden of disease and how this impacts COPD patients, their caregivers, clinicians and health systems.
The Basics of COPD Module 3: Assessing and treating COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
In this module, we take a detailed look at diagnosing COPD in patients and the clinical management cycle including assessment, adjustment and review steps for patients.
The Basics of COPD Module 4: Acute Exacerbations of COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
Acute exacerbations of COPD, or 'Lung Attacks", are critical clinical events for COPD patients. We review its definition, classification, management at primary care, management in hospital including high care and ICU.
The Basics of COPD Module 5: Optimisation of COPD treatment
EARN 1 CPD POINT
We present case studies to assist you with applying your learning to clinical case studies.
The role of triple therapy in COPD patient management
This series consists of four modules focusing on clinical decision making with COPD patients and COPD pharmacological treatment options. This includes the latest recommendations from the Global Obstructive Lung Disease report (GOLD 2023).
GSK EducAir Training Series Module 1: Addressing the unmet need in COPD using Treatable Traits
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
COPD patients have many unmet clinical needs in South Africa today. Module 1 shares the treatable traits approach which helps reduce symptom burden in patients and reduce the risk of future acute exacerbations or lung attacks.
GSK EducAir Training Series Module 2: Early optimization of treatment in patients with COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
Often clinicians consult patients living with COPD after the disease has progressed to cause significant morbidity. Module 2 expands on the treatable traits approach, explaining options available to patients for optimal treatment early in their COPD disease course and the benefits thereof.
GSK EducAir Training Series Module 3: Case studies in the management of COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
COPD patients who remain symptomatic on current treatment can be a challenge. Module 3 presents case studies assisting in understanding when and how to escalate treatment in COPD patients who are still symptomatic on treatment.
GSK EducAir Training Series Module 4: The unmet need of reducing the risk of mortality in patients with COPD
EARN 3 CPD POINTS
Globally, COPD is the third leading cause of death. Module 4 looks at survival outcomes in major COPD studies. Treatment interventions in clinical trials in which mortality of COPD patients was studied as an outcome measure is discussed as well as the data showing a positive impact on mortality.