Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management
New eLearning programme for primary care nurses launched
New eLearning programme for primary care nurses launched

The Heart Foundation is launching a new free, accessible and high-quality eLearning programme for nurses working in primary care.
Online courses provide easy access to cardiovascular learning for New Zealand nurses, and communities, to reinforce heart health knowledge.
The new programme offers flexible eLearning for primary care nurses to assist with professional development and the renewal of Annual Practising Certificates. Each course can be applied in day-to-day practise and contribute towards professional development hours.
“We’re proud to offer a learning solution for heart health that meets the needs of nurses and communities throughout New Zealand, and especially for those that work with priority populations,” says Heart Foundation Head and Care and Support, Angela Aldous.
“Primary Care nurses have many demands on their time and need to have a breadth and depth of knowledge in many important health topics. These new courses will mean nurses have heart health information at their fingertips to keep their knowledge relevant and current. Nurses were crying out for more professional development support and this programme will help to give them the confidence to have heart health conversations as they care and support their patients,” says Angela.
With more than 170,000 New Zealanders currently living with heart disease, the eLearning programme will be a critical and valued tool for care roles in communities that are often isolated and working with some of the most vulnerable groups.
The Heart Foundation’s Primary Care eLearning programme will be available from 24 February at heartfoundation.org.nz/professionals/health-professionals/elearning-nurses
The first three courses available are:
- Anatomy and physiology of the heart
- Coronary artery disease / ischaemic heart disease
- Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease