
Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) remain leading causes of morbidity across Africa, with preventable exacerbations frequently driven by suboptimal diagnosis, incorrect inhaler technique, and inconsistent use of guideline-directed therapy. This high-impact CPD program distills the latest evidence and global guidance into clear, context-appropriate practice for clinicians working in Ghana and similar lower-middle-income settings. Through focused keynote updates, live demonstrations, and case-based discussions, participants will refine diagnostic reasoning, master device technique coaching, and strengthen individualized care plans that improve day-to-day outcomes.
TOPICS TO BE PRESENTED
1. Current Updates in GINA Guidelines on asthma management in children, adolescents and adults, inhaler techniques, and the Asthma Action Plan.
2. Diagnosing and Managing COPD: Examining the real evidence and real-world practice in lower-middle-income countries.
WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND
i. Guideline confidence: Translate the newest GINA recommendations into practical, age-appropriate treatment pathways.
ii. Hands-on mastery: Receive live coaching on inhaler selection and technique—pressurized MDIs, DPIs, spacers—and how to troubleshoot common errors.
iii. Sharper diagnosis: Strengthen differentiation between asthma and COPD (history, spirometry/peak flow patterns, response to bronchodilator, biomarkers) to reduce misclassification.
iv. Actionable plans: Build, communicate, and audit Asthma Action Plans that patients and caregivers can actually follow.
v. LMIC realism: Bridge the gap between evidence and what is feasible in resource-constrained clinics, including step-wise therapy and referral thresholds.
vi. CPD accreditation: Earn verifiable CPD credit (via MDC accreditation process) for professional advancement.
vii. Networking & mentorship: Engage with expert faculty and peers; pose real cases and leave with practical solutions.
PARTICIPANT CONSENT AND DATA PRIVACY NOTICE
By registering for “Diagnosing and Managing Asthma and COPD,” you consent to participate in this training hosted by CES on behalf of AstraZeneca. Your registration will provide us with the necessary information to facilitate the event and issue CPD accreditation through the Medical and Dental Council (MDC). Please note that CES is committed to safeguarding your personal information and will not share any personal data with AstraZeneca. Your data will only be shared with the relevant regulatory bodies, such as MDC, for the sole purpose of accrediting you with CPD points earned through this training. Additionally, participants are free to opt out of the meeting at any time, and should you wish to do so, no further action is required on your part. We respect your privacy and ensure that your participation will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
ORGANIZED BY GMA UPPER EAST REGIONAL DIVISION
IN COLLABORATION WITH ASTRAZENECA
This will be a virtual event. It will be streamed LIVE on this page.
Date: Fri, the 19th September 2025
Time: 16:00 - 1800 GMT (4:00- 6:00 pm Local Time)
Target Audience: General Practitioners (GPs)
The agenda is available to download in the downloads section.
A high-impact Virtual CPD programme led by two seasoned clinicians, this session delivers practice-ready updates on asthma and COPD across the age spectrum, combining case-based teaching, live inhaler-technique demonstrations, and clear decision pathways aligned with the latest GINA guidance. Participants will sharpen diagnostic accuracy, reduce misclassification, and design actionable Asthma Action Plans while integrating real-world evidence for lower-middle-income settings—covering LMIC-appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies, referral thresholds, and follow-up auditing to improve outcomes. Highly interactive and tailored to frontline realities, it offers immediate clinical takeaways and verifiable CPD credit.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
1. Apply current GINA recommendations to initiate, step-up, or step-down asthma therapy across pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations.
2. Demonstrate correct technique for common inhaler devices and coach patients to minimize critical errors that undermine control.
3. Construct individualized, comprehensible Asthma Action Plans, incorporating peak-flow/ symptom monitoring and clear escalation steps.
4. Differentiate asthma from COPD using clinical history, objective testing (spirometry/peak flow where available), and response to therapy.
5. Classify and manage COPD severity and exacerbation risk, and implement context-appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions in
LMIC settings.
6. Establish referral, follow-up, and audit protocols that support continuity of care, adherence, and outcome measurement.
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