Online learning
The Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC) at the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association offers a variety of continuing education programs to support and enhance your practice skills. DIRC is committed to providing accredited, interactive, online education to help pharmacists build their skills and knowledge and grow their practice.
Our online learning system offers access to a wide range of program topics, and allows pharmacists to enhance their learning when and where it’s convenient for them – from home or work, first thing in the morning or after everyone has gone to bed.
Flexible program formats allow pharmacists to complete full programs or select individual modules from within a program. All modules come with slide presentations (with video), links to other educational information, and easy-to-use practice tools.
- Complimentary programs
- Paid Certificate programs
Accessing OPA’s online learning programs
It’s easy to get started:
Step 1: Find the program that you’re interested in.
Step 2: Click on the “Request access” button to send an email to the Ontario Pharmacists’ Association’s education department. The Ontario Pharmacists’ Association will send you a personalized login and password to the learning management system.
Step 3: Enter your online learning account and complete your profile information.
Step 4: Use your login and password to access all of the modules and accompanying documents that are associated with the program you selected.
- For complimentary programs: your login and password gives you access to all of the complimentary online programs offered by OPA.
- For paid certificate programs: you will be required to request access to each individual program and will receive a unique username and login for each program.
NEW PROGRAM
Why the common cold and flu matter: A look at prevention
This online lesson is designed to help pharmacists understand the impact that colds and flu have on the healthcare system and on the community. The program content examines some of the complications of upper respiratory tract infections. Information about preventive measures including natural products and supplements is also presented.
Topics include:
- The impact of colds and flu on the healthcare system and the community
- Some of the complications of upper respiratory tract infections
- Natural product and supplement recommendations for the prevention of colds and flu
This program is assigned 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs).
This complimentary program was made possible through an educational grant from Afexa Life Sciences, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.
Participants must sign on to the Canadian Healthcare Network site to view the lesson.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it These online modules are designed to provide pharmacists with tools to effectively manage their patients on methadone maintenance therapy. Modules include:
- Motivational Interviewing (new for 2013)
- Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Multiple Substance Use and Aberrant Behaviours (new for 2013)
- Pain Management in People on Methadone Maintenance Treatment (new for 2013)
- How to Initiate Methadone Services at Your Community Pharmacy (new for 2013)
- Addiction management principles
- Answers to common and difficult dispensing questions
- Dealing with difficult situations in methadone maintenance therapy
- Methadone drug interactions
- Methadone in chronic pain management
- Methadone during pregnancy and lactation
- Methadone maintenance treatment in patients with concurrent psychiatric illnesses
- Methadone treatment in special populations: Patients with comorbid health problems
- Policies guiding methadone dispensing in Ontario
- The pharmacological management of opioid dependence
The Methadone Education Program qualifies as an approved training course for methadone dispensing pharmacists as part of their training update. Updates are required at minimum every five years as indicated in the Ontario College of Pharmacists’ “Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Dispensing Policy”.
Please note that this program does not replace the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Opioid Dependence Treatment course, which Designated Managers and pharmacists are required to complete in order to dispense methadone as outlined in the Ontario College of Pharmacists’ “Methadone Maintenance Treatment and Dispensing Policy”.
This complimentary program is made available through funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
This program is for educational purposes only. No continuing education units (CEUs) or certificate or record of completion are provided.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Have you had a lot of questions about vitamin D supplementation? This one-hour session that will review the use of vitamin D in osteoporosis, focusing on the sources of vitamin D, vitamin D insufficiency in Canada, the benefits of vitamin D, and current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation.
This program is presented by Dr. Angela Cheung, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and Director, Osteoporosis Program and Associate Director, Women’s Health Program with Toronto’s University Health Network / Mount Sinai Hospital.
This program was made possible through an unrestricted financial grant by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd.
This program is for educational purposes only. No continuing education units (CEUs) or certificate or record of completion are provided.
Smoking Cessation
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Pharmacists can play a vital role in the quit smoking efforts of their patients. Not only are they some of the most accessible healthcare professionals, but they are uniquely familiar with patients’ drug therapy needs and the various smoking cessation therapies. Pharmacists are also recognized advocates for community wellness and are trusted by patients to offer information and support on a wide variety of health-related issues.
Effective September 1, 2011, pharmacists wishing to provide smoking cessation support to Ontario Drug Benefit patients under the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s pharmacy-based smoking cessation program are required to complete a smoking cessation training program in order to be eligible to receive funding for their expertise and professional services in this area.
The smoking cessation module offered by OPA meets the Ministry's requirements for this program and provides pharmacists with an overview of concepts and best-practice approaches currently used in the management of smoking cessation by healthcare professionals.
This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Canada Inc. It is presented by Dr. Andrew Pipe, an Ottawa physician and one of Canada’s foremost experts and advocates in smoking cessation. It has been developed and reviewed by Aaron Aoki RPh, BScPhm, MBA, CDE, CRE., Henry Halapy PharmD, and Jane Ling RPh, BScPhm.
Pharmacist Toolkit:
The program includes the following documents:
Smoking Cessation Algorithm
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Patient Quit Plan
Patient Record Worksheet
Smoking Cessation Therapy
Smoking Mnemonics
Resources
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This program was designed to help pharmacists understand their potential role in supporting patients with ulcerative colitis. This 90-minute module will bring attention to a condition that can often present with some classic symptoms and complaints, but that can also remain undiagnosed and sub-optimally managed until the condition progresses. Pharmacists who take this program will become familiar with the contributions they can make in the early identification and referral of their patients, as well as some of the strategies and considerations for optimizing treatment.
This complimentary program was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Warner Chilcott Inc.
Acknowledgements for program development: Dr. John Marshall MD MSc FRCPC AGAF, Brian Jurewitsch PharmD., and Amanda Mathur RPh, BScPhm.
Acknowledgements for expert review: Lisa Burry, BScPharm, PharmD, FCCP. and Co QD Pham PharmD.
This program is for educational purposes only. No continuing education units (CEUs) or certificate or record of completion are provided.
Practical Management of Cough and Cold
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Pharmacists are often approached by patients for advice on the management of cough and cold. This one-hour session was developed to provide pharmacists with an evidence-based approach to the epidemiology and pathophysiology of the common cold, differential diagnosis, and both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options for these common conditions. There is emphasis on managing special populations (including pregnant or lactating women, pediatric patients, and those with renal impairment or liver disease). The program will also introduce participants to tools and resources which may assist in patient assessment, product recommendation, monitoring and patient follow-up for cough and cold management.
This complimentary module was made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from Procter & Gamble Inc. It is presented by Louise Tétreault, BScPhm RPh CRE, who has been working as a community pharmacist for over 20 years.
Acknowledgements for program development and review: Elena Mow, BSc (Pharm) RPh ACPR, Michael Rieder, MD PhD FRCPC FAAP FRCP(glas), and Zubin Austin, BScPhm, MBA, MISc, PhD.
This program is for educational purposes only. No continuing education units (CEUs) or certificate or record of completion are provided.
Diabetes Level 1 Certificate Program
This CCCEP-approved program provides pharmacists with a comprehensive overview of current current clinical practice guidelines and provides education on their practical application. The program is based on the Canadian Diabetes Association’s latest clinical practice guidelines and there is a focus on understanding the importance of self-management and respecting individual readiness for change.
Module topics include:
- Diabetes update
- Microvascular complications
- Macrovascular complications
- Principles of insulin therapy
- Nutritional aspects of diabetes
- Treatment of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes
- Type 1 diabetes: A model of chronic disease management in children and adolescents
- Exercise and rehabilitation medicine for patients with diabetes
- The diabetes educator teaching for effect
- Diabetes: The pharmacist's role
- Diabetic adverse reactions and foot complications: The role of the pharmacist
This program is assigned 13 continuing education units (CEUs).
Registration for this program is currently closed. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .