Better Safer Prescribing Certificate

The Better Safer Prescribing course deals with the complexity of therapeutics, signposting to specific resources of most benefit for doctor and patient alike. Topics will address the need to reduce unnecessary medication burden, adverse drug reactions and interactions leading to positive outcomes for patients. The modular approach provides a GP friendly and accessible platform with an option to complete the entire course or to choose specific modules during the year. Each module attracts 4 CPD credits and 0.5 day GMS study leave. 

Course fees

• Members €750
• Non-members €1200

Fee per module

• Members €150
• Non-members €230

Course Director: Dr Naomi Johnson
Course Co-ordinator: Education Department, Irish College of GPs

If you need further information, please Contact Us

The course will commence on 09 October 2024 and run one module per month until Wednesday 26 March 2025. Pre-reading and other eLearning content will be available online when each module opens. In each module, participants are expected to attend a live Q&A session which will generally be held at 8pm on a Wednesday, as per the live Q&A  session schedule. 

Participants will have the option to complete the entire course or to choose specific modules during the year. 

• GPs and GP Trainees registration- Registration closes at 5pm on Tuesday 08 October 2024
• Admission deadlines and further information for each module are available in the next section on this page

Who is this course suitable for?
All GPs who wish to increase their learning in therapeutics; GPs in training who wish to augment their training in this area of interest

How will it be taught?

• Pre-module and post-module learning needs assessment
• A blend of pre-module reading and viewing of recorded content
• Live interactive webinar including Q&A with subject matter experts
• Participants will be expected to post anonymised clinical cases for discussion via a moderated discussion forum
• Participants have the option to post, review, and participate in anonymised clinical cases via a moderated discussion forum. 

What will I learn?
The course will provide evidence-based knowledge on therapeutics in primary care and aims to assist GPs with improving safety and efficiency in daily prescribing, managing adverse drug reactions, opiate essentials, polypharmacy, deprescribing, communication with patients around medication issues and prescribing in patients with renal impairment, renal failure and heart issues.

Participants will receive evidence-based learning on best practice and signposting to relevant guidelines.

Learning assessments needs will be addressed through pre course and post course learning needs.

How will the course/module be assessed?

• Attendance at live Q & A sessions
• Pre course and post course learning needs assessments
• Participation in discussions board
• Audit/quality improvement project*

*Participants may use their learning from the course to complete an audit/quality improvement project that meets this requirement for PCS in 2024 – 2025; this is not a mandatory requirement for the course itself.