Becoming an Asthma Educator

Becoming an Asthma Educator is an on-line program with current information on asthma diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. It consists of a series of 9 video recordings, each approximately 40-45 minutes in length, and each followed by self-assessment multiple -choice questions with discussion of correct answers. It is designed to help allied health professionals to become qualified asthma educators.

• Module #1 Understanding & Teaching the Mechanisms of Asthma
• Module #2 Diagnosis & Assessment of Asthma
• Module #3 Introduction to Pulmonary Function Testing
• Module #4 Ambulatory Management of Asthma in the Adult
• Module #5 Special Considerations in Children                   
• Module #6 Assessing & Managing Allergic Sensitivities                         
• Module #7 Inhalers & Other Asthma-Related Devices    
• Module #8 Managing Exacerbations of Asthma                           
• Module #9 Developing an Asthma Action Plan

learn more about this course from Dr. Chris Fanta:

• Initial Launch: June 2024
• This course is due to be renewed & reaccredited in June 2025

Target audience

This activity is intended for nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and other advanced practitioners.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe to patients and their families about asthma; allergy testing; proper medication use; and peak flow monitoring.
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the use of pulmonary function testing in the diagnosis and assessment of asthma.
• Specify the distinction between asthma severity and asthma control, and employ techniques to help patients develop a strategy to achieve good asthma control.
• Acquire and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate across disciplines in asthma education.  Both nurses and respiratory therapists are asked to administer inhaled medications to patients with asthma and teach skills (like peak flow monitoring) useful in preventing asthma attacks.  Attendees are encouraged to recognize the unique set of skills brought to bear by each discipline.

Registration instructions

• For technical support or questions regarding CEs, please contact Maxine Harney at the MGB Office of Continuing Professional Development. 
• For medical questions about asthma, please contact Christopher Fanta, MD

Additional information

Mass General Brigham Asthma Center & Mass General Brigham

Faculty credentials

Christopher H. Fanta, MD – Course Co-Director
Mass General Brigham Asthma Center, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine
Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Kenan Haver, MD – Course Co-Director
Pulmonary Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital

Elizabeth Klements, MS, RN, PPCNP-BC, AE-C
Boston Children’s Hospital (retired)

Disclosure Summary of Relevant Financial Relationships

MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Mass General Brigham has implemented a process to mitigate relevant financial relationships for this continuing education (CE) activity to help ensure content objectivity, independence, fair balance and ensure that the content is aligned with the interest of the public. 

The following planners have no reported relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company:

Christopher H. Fanta, MD
Victoria Forth, PA-C
Elizabeth Klements, MS, RN, PPCNP-BC, AE-C

The following speakers have reported no relevant financial relationships with an ineligible company:

Christopher H. Fanta, MD
Kenan Haver, MD
Elizabeth Klements, MS, RN, PPCNP-BC, AE-C

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, Mass General Brigham is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation Statements

Nursing
Mass General Brigham designates this activity for 6.75 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
Mass General Brigham has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 6.75 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until June 2025. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.