The learning objective of this self-directed, online programme is to educate healthcare professionals on the legislation pertaining to benzodiazepines and the implications that has on the management of benzodiazepines in practice.
Course content will include examination of national guidelines relating to the management of benzodiazepines in clinical practice, details of the legislative requirements and the implications of this on practice, an investigation of the current issues that pertain to benzodiazepines, and possible strategies that could be employed in a collaborative approach to address these. The training programme will include interactive learning opportunities that incorporate examples and scenarios from primary practice.
The programme is a self-directed fully online training programme which may take approximately two hours to complete.
The training programme is designed to ensure achievement of the learning outcomes which are as follows:
a) Identify the general factors that must be considered in the management of benzodiazepines and z-drugs in the primary care setting;
b) Understand the implications of the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 on the prescribing and dispensing of benzodiazepines and z-drugs;
c) Articulate the specific factors that should be addressed by Practitioners in the prescribing, supply and ongoing review of patients who are taking benzodiazepines and z-drugs;
d) Identify the potential risks associated with benzodiazepines and z-drugs in the primary care setting and strategies to mitigate these;
e) Describe strategies that could be employed in a collaborative approach to patient care in the management of benzodiazepines and z-drugs.