The Asthma Educators Institute at Partners Asthma Center: One-day, in-depth symposia presenting the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective Asthma Educator and to prepare for the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) examination.

Appropriate for Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacists, and Asthma Case Managers

Presented by Partners Asthma Center, a collaboration among asthma specialists at:

Our introductory program, Becoming an Asthma Educator: Learning to Teach Patients and Families About Asthma, was first offered in 2003 to high acclaim. The format combines lectures, question-and answer sessions, case discussions, and hands-on demonstrations to maximize understanding about effective asthma education for young children, school children, and adults. This year’s course includes updated information about the new Asthma Guidelines from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program and the Global Initiative for Asthma.

On completion of this program, we anticipate that participants will be well prepared to take and pass the Certification Examination offered by the National Asthma Educator Certification Board.

In addition, this year we offer a new one-day advanced program for those wishing to focus on a specialized aspect of asthma: inner-city asthma.

Inner-City Asthma: Successes and Challenges will bring together experts from Partners Asthma
Center and beyond to discuss what is arguably the greatest challenge facing asthma care in America— delivering effective care to persons with asthma living in our inner cities, persons potentially burdened with poverty, multiple medical co-morbidities, misinformed health care beliefs, and limited resources for improving their circumstances. With keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive audience participation, we will address both the barriers to good asthma care and the effective strategies that can overcome these barriers.

An Asthma Educator Preceptorship can be arranged for those wishing individual or smallgroup (maximum = 5) teaching in asthma education. The Preceptorship gives you the opportunity to design a unique self-study program, including potential topics of special interest, such as pulmonary
function testing, allergy skin testing, or anti-IgE use and administration. For more information and to receive a brochure describing the preceptorship, call Elaine at 617-732-7419.

Comments from past course participants include:
“This conference was very informative and very organized. One of the best ones I have ever been to.”
"Relevant [and] easy to understand. Dealt with everyday situations.”
"Excellent seminar: speakers very well-informed, knowledgeable, and captivating.”

Introductory Program:
Becoming an Asthma Educator

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.            Registration
8:30 – 8:35                   Welcome/Orientation

8:35 – 9:20                   Understanding and Teaching the Mechanisms of Asthma
9:20 – 9:50                   The New Asthma Guidelines: Diagnosis and Assessment of Asthma
9:50 – 10:30                 The New Asthma Guidelines: Ambulatory Management of Asthma

10:30 – 10 50              Coffee Break

10:50 – 11:20               Lung Function Measurements/Peak Flow
11:20 – 12:00 Noon     Special Considerations in Children                   

12:00 – 1:00                 Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.           Assessing Allergic Sensitivity and Allergen Exposures
1:30 – 2:00                   Inhalers and Inhalational Aids
2:00 – 2:30                   Managing Asthmatic Attacks
2:30 – 3:00                   Developing an Asthma Action Plan

Advanced Program:
Inner-City Asthma:
Successes and Challenges

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.          Registration
8:30 – 8:35                 Welcome/Orientation

8:35 – 9:10                 Asthma in Our Cities: Keynote Speaker

9:10 – 9:45                 Is the Diagnosis Asthma?

9:45 – 10:00               Coffee Break

10:00 – 12:00 noon     Panel I: Identifying the Challenges:

12:00 – 1:00                Lunch

1:00 – 1:30           How do We Measure Good Asthma Care

1:30 – 3:30                  Panel II:

3:30 – 4:15                  Exhibits/Small Group Demonstrations

4:15 – 5:00                  Can Cultural Sensitivity Be Learned/Taught?

Sample Program:
Asthma Educators' Half-Day Preceptorship

8:00 – 8:30 a.m.            Welcome and Introduction Over Breakfast

8:30 – 9:15                   Introductory Lecture

9:15 – 10:00                  Allergy Skin Testing and Allergen Avoidance: The "Nuts and Bolts"

10:00 – 10:30               Developing an Asthma Action Plan

10:30 – 11:15           Review of Pulmonary Function Tests

11:15 – 11:45                Asthma Devices — Hands-on Demonstration

11:45 – 12:15 p.m.        Tips for Taking and Passing the NAECB Exam

12:15 – 1:00                  Lunch and Discussion with Members of Partners Asthma Center

This program can be modified to suit the specific learning needs of indivuals and small groups.

Program Directors:

• Christopher H. Fanta, M.D.,
• Kenan Haver, M.D.,
• Elaine Carter RN, BSN,
• Paul Nuccio, R.R.T., and
• Tara E. Abrams, Pharm. D.
  

Newton-Wellesley Hospital:

• Dennis Beer, M.D.

North Shore Medical Center:

• Philip Thielhelm, M.D.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital:

• Charistopher Fanta, M.D.
• Elaine Carter, R.N., AE-C

The faculty will draw on the resources of the Partners Asthma Center faculty and will vary with the site of the presentation.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

Saturday, September 27, 2008
Becoming an Asthma Educator
(Shipley Auditorium, Bowles Conference Center)

North Shore Medical Center

Saturday, November 1, 2008
Becoming an Asthma Educator
(Davenport 101, Salem Hospital)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Inner-Sity Asthma: Successes and Challenges
(Bornstein Amphitheater)

Asthma Educator Preceptorship
can be scheduled on a prearranged date convenient to you.

Continuing education (CRCE) hours (6 hours) for registered respiratory therapists have been approved by the American Association of Respiratory Care.

Continuing pharmaceutical education credit hours (6 hours; 0.6 CEUs) have been approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy.

Late Registration (within one month of course) $110

For the Asthma Educator Preceptorship:
Individual Session: $300.00
Small-group Session $200.00

Full Payment must accompany application. Make check payable to Partners Asthma Center

Register on-line at https://www.partners.org/departments/asthma/AEIRegistration.html
or by mail:
Partners Asthma Center
PBB-3
15 Francis Street, Boston MA 02115

Address inquiries to:
Partners Asthma Center,
15 Francis Street,
Boston, MA 02115 or made by phone: (800) 9PARTNERS or (617) 732-7419,
e-mail : asthma@partners.org.

Refunds: Refund requests must be received one week prior to the course. No refunds will be made thereafter.