Managing
Respiratory Diseases:

Module content is delivered on the NHS Learning Hub and the FPM Learning Hub, providing flexibility that allows participants to make more effective use of their time. The modules are between 30 and 45 minutes in length.

Module 1 is designed as the introduction to some of the common themes and issues, including the definition and clinical presentation of acute respiratory infection, epidemiology and pathogenesis, seasonality and spread.

Then, modules 2 to 4 delve into greater detail into Coronavirus, Influenza, and RSV. These modules include an investigation of the burden of disease, clinical presentation and diagnosis, management and treatment options, and guidance from the UK Government, NICE and others.

The series has been designed to suit a range of learning styles and accessibility requirements. If you would like more information, please see FPM’s e-Learning Accessibility Statement.

This series is designed for healthcare professionals across a range of disciplines It is especially relevant for those working in general practice, hospital settings, urgent care, and public health.

However, it is also relevant for a range of pharmaceutical physicians, including those who want to enhance their understanding of acute respiratory infections and those new to industry.

No prior specialist knowledge is required. The series is designed to be accessible to a wide range of healthcare and pharmaceutical medicine professionals, from those new to the topic to those looking for a refresher or update on current guidance.

It is recommended to start with the introductory module as it provides foundational knowledge, but the other modules can be completed in any order depending on your interests or clinical focus.

Yes, a digital certificate is awarded upon successful completion of each module. These can be downloaded and used as evidence of CPD.

Yes, each module includes interactive elements such as quizzes, case-based questions, and knowledge checks to help reinforce learning. These are not graded, but they provide helpful feedback to guide your understanding.

The content for the modules has been written by a team of subject matter experts in the field, working under the auspices of a clinical lead, Dr Cynthia Wat MFPM, and with feedback and support from FPM’s Infectious Disease Expert Group and an end-user review group.

The project is managed by the FPM staff team, in association with a team of third-party instructional designers.

Our e-Learning series has been designed to improve patient outcomes for all, inclusive of health inequalities. We want to ensure healthcare professionals can appropriately identify high risk patients and know the correct treatment and management pathways.

Our e-Learning modules focus on key viral respiratory diseases which currently pose a large burden in the UK:

• It is estimated that among adults, approximately 487,000 GP episodes, 18,000 hospitalisations, and nearly 8500 deaths are attributable to RSV per average season. [ref]
• Between 1995 and 2009 RSV accounted for 450000 GP appointments, 29,000 hospitalisations, and 83 deaths per year in children and adolescents, the majority in infants. [ref]
• Young children between 0-4 years old are particularly vulnerable to Influenza, with hospitalisation rates ranging from 30 to 50 per 100,000. Their higher risk underlines the importance of preventative measures, including messaging around vaccination. [Public Heath England]
• During the 2017-2018 flu season, there were approximately 120,000 additional A&E attendances attributed to flu-related symptoms. [Public Heath England]
• In a retrospective meta-analysis of national cohort studies, the COALESCE consortium recently reported that under vaccination resulted in ~7000 additional sever outcomes (hospitalisation or death). Encouraging those eligible to get vaccinated needs continued effort to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of COVID on the NHS. [ref]

The series will be reviewed annually to ensure they reflect the latest clinical guidance and research. Any major updates, such as changes to government or NICE recommendations, will trigger a content revision and learners will be notified where appropriate.

In addition, this e-Learning was last tested on 23 September 2024 against the WCAG 2.1 AA standard. We plan to review this again by September 2025.

Learners can move through the series at a pace that suits them and provide feedback on both platforms. On the NHS Learning Hub, you can anonymously rate the modules out of 5. On the FPM Learning Hub, there is a short form where learners can provide anonymous feedback.

Your honest feedback will help us to continue to refine and focus the content. Please note, some of your comments might be used as testimonials in future marketing activities.

Yes, learners can move through the series at a pace that suits them. Once you have enrolled onto the course, you will have unlimited access. Please note, on the FPM Learning Hub, if you do enrol onto this course and do not access the course within 365 days, the system will automatically revoke your access, and you will need to sign up again. You will be warned about this via email ahead of this happening.

No, once you’ve enrolled, you have unlimited access to the content.

Just be sure, if you signed up to access the course via the FPM Learning Hub, you must access the course at least once every 365 days to avoid your enrolment being revoked.

Absolutely. We encourage you to share the course with colleagues who may benefit. However, they will need to sign up via our website and enrol individually to track their progress and receive certificates.

Learners can access this e-Learning series on the NHS Learning Hub which is the primary platform for hosting all NHS e-Learning resources for health and social care staff, or via FPM’s Learning Hub.

You do not need to be working in the NHS or have an nhs.net email address to access this learning for free. Please see here for information on who can access the Learning Hub.

Similarly, you do not need to be working for the NHS to access it on the FPM Learning Hub. However, if you do not have an NHS email, you might find it easier to access this content via the FPM Learning Hub.

Yes, if you encounter any technical difficulties or issues accessing content, please contact training@fpm.org.uk for assistance.