Alberta Quits Learning Series Syllabus 2016-2017

The AlbertaQuits Learning Series provides health professionals with the awareness, knowledge and skill set needed to assess and implement tobacco intervention effectively in a variety of healthcare settings.

Research shows that receiving support and advice from a health professional specially trained in tobacco cessation can double a tobacco user’s chances of successfully quitting. Current evidence supports the implementation of the 5 A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist and Arrange) tobacco intervention approach for health professionals in any setting to identify and provide at least minimal support for every tobacco user.

The AlbertaQuits Learning Series includes online and classroom learning units to deliver comprehensive learning and best practice guidance for participants. The AlbertaQuits Learning Series also prepares health care professionals for the opportunity to write the national Certified Tobacco Educator exam through the Canadian Network for Respiratory Care (CNRC).

The following is an outline of the learning units included in the Series. Each unit builds upon the learnings of the previous unit.

Unit Name / Description / Format
Tobacco Basics** / Participants will be provided with a broad and general understanding of tobacco use, exposure, and its impact on our society. Topics include tobacco use epidemic, tobacco industry tactics, tobacco use prevention and health promotion strategies, tobacco products/impacts and tobacco reduction resources.This unit is recommended as foundational knowledge for anyone involved in tobacco prevention, protection and cessation. / eLearning
2-3 hours
Brief Tobacco Intervention / A wide variety of health related settings provide opportunity to help individuals who use tobacco and tobacco-like products. Participants will be provided learning that is a best practice, evidence-based approach for brief tobacco intervention. Participants will raise their awareness, knowledge and skill set to help clients who use, are exposed to, and who are trying to abstain from tobacco and tobacco-like product use. This unit addresses how to use the 5A’s approach in a brief intervention. / eLearning
2-3 hours
Tobacco Cessation Pharmacology** / Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of tobacco use and dependence among people who regularly use commercial tobacco products including: tobacco cessation pharmacology, drug toxicity and medication interactions, how to assess level of nicotine dependence (addiction) and withdrawal: as well as, the specific medications metabolized differently when a person smokes tobacco and then stops smoking. An overview of key points on how to support the pharmacotherapy needs of clients in specific sites or populations will be highlighted. / eLearning
2-3 hours
Intensive Tobacco Intervention** / This learning unit provides a best practice, evidence-based approach for intensive tobacco intervention. Participants will raise their awareness, knowledge and skill set to help clients who use, are exposed to, and who are trying to abstain from tobacco and tobacco-like product use. This learning unit addresses how to follow the 5A’s approach in an intensive tobacco intervention.The Tobacco Cessation Pharmacology unit, or equivalent learning, is needed, prior to completing Intensive Tobacco Intervention. / eLearning
Approx. 10 hours
Applied Tobacco Intervention** / This learning unit is designed to help professionals provide evidence-based effective tobacco interventions. It is delivered face to face and uses a cooperative learning approach to practice the skills required for brief and more intensive tobacco interventions. Participants will receive a workbook that provides the materials and activities for the training as well as tools and reference materials for future use. / Classroom
6.5 hours
Tobacco Cessation Pharmacology for the Mental Health Population / Participants will understand the impact of tobacco use in the mental health population; gain an understanding of tobacco cessation pharmacology, drug toxicity and interactions.
This course is intended for physicians and pharmacists, however other health professionals working with this population would also benefit from this learning unit. / Classroom/
Telehealth
1.5 hours
Tobacco Cessation Pharmacology in Oncology / Participants will understand the impact of tobacco use for adults with cancer; learn about tobacco cessation clinical practice guidelines for adults with cancer; gain an understanding of tobacco cessation pharmacotherapies and clinical consideration for cancer patients; apply knowledge of tobacco treatment to case studies.
This course is intended for authorized prescribers (physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners); however, other health professionals working with cancer patients would also benefit from this learning unit. / Classroom/
Telehealth
1.5 hours
Facilitation Workshops
Health Educator Workshop** / A two-day workshop that provides a strong foundation in core health education competencies including health promotion, communication (including motivational interviewing), practical application of health education theories, behavioural self-management counselling and facilitation skills, educational interventions, resource management, professional practice and program evaluation. The workshop is designed to have a maximum of 20 per cent didactic presentation with the remainder a blend of different participatory learning activities. / Classroom
14 hours with pre-reading
QuitCore Facilitator Workshop / Provides health professionals with an orientation on how to effectively deliver the QuitCore Group Cessation program. / Classroom
7 hours
Tobacco Free Futures: Implementation Workshop / Designed for designated AHS site management and tobacco champions who will provide vision, leadership and guidance for the implementation of the Tobacco Free Futures initiative at their site or within a program.
Sites interested in implementing TFF and hosting this workshop can email / AHS Sites
1.5 hours

**These courses are a prerequisite for the national CNRC Certified Tobacco Educator exam. Previous TRAC or PCCLS training may also be considered as eligible tobacco training. For further information or questions about eligible courses can be found on or.**

Registration:

  • eLearning Units:
  • AHS Staff: MyLearningLink
  • Non-AHS Staff: Chronic Disease Management Education
  • Classroom/TelehealthUnits: AlbertaQuits

The following supporting documentscan be viewed at

  • AlbertaQuits Learning Series - Frequently Asked Questions
  • AlbertaQuits SeriesInfographic – this flowchart provides an ‘at a glance’ view of the learning units available

Additional questions can be directed to .

May 2016