Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital, London and National Heart and Lung Institute (Imperial College)

Further details, such as programs/registration forms and dates of future events, can be obtained from Magda Wheatley:

The Courses

Introductory Medical Statistics Course

Next dates:

(external:)
23 & 24 September, 2010
Autumn 2011 (dates TBC)

(internal to NHLI + RBH staff:)
11 & 12 November, 2010;
31 March & 1 April 2011

Held twice yearly (internal delegates) and once yearly (external delegates). Please contact Magda Wheatley for further details.

Brief description:

Designed to introduce junior and trainee doctors, nurses, clinical research fellows and MSc students (anyone who uses statistics in their work or research) to statistical concepts including: epidemiological study design; identifying and describing different data types; selection of appropriate statistical tests (two and three group scenarios); calculation of sample size for basic study designs; understanding the principles behind various forms of regression analysis, including survival analysis. Limited to a maximum of 50 delegates.

Accreditation:

Internal course is accredited by Imperial College’s Academic Training Committee as being a recognised ‘B’ equivalent course on the GSLSM (Graduate School of Life Sciences and Medicine) Transferable Skills Programme; external course is accredited by the Royal College of Physicians (CPD): 12 non-clinical points.

“	All the lecturers explained the concepts very clearly and showed great patience. All the slides were very clear; examples and exercises well thought-out.	”
“	Excellent course — best I’ve been to as an SpR.	”
“	The constructive, helpful, "can’t do enough" mentality of the presenters/organisers make this a really useful course.	”
“	This is an excellent course for an introduction into medical statistics and hence very useful for reading and analysing medical papers. In this respect it will be very helpful.	”
“	Very much enjoyed the case studies and interaction between the delegates and lecturers.	”

Occupational Asthma Workshop

Next dates:
Friday 15 October, 2010;
Tuesday 24 May, 2011

Please contact Magda Wheatley for further details.

Brief description:

Especially suitable for Occupational Health Advisers, the day covers current issues in the diagnosis of occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma in a hospital setting, and examines the role of the Occupational Heath Practitioner in this process.

Workplace surveillance is covered, with input on the prevention of occupational asthma. We examine the management of occupational asthma once diagnosed. The implications for patients with such a diagnosis is discussed, and an interview with a patient volunteer is presented.

Limited to a maximum of 35 delegates.

Accreditation:

Accredited by the RCN Accreditation Unit and the Royal College of Physicians (CPD).

“	All speakers excellent. Small groups very conducive to discussions post-subject.	”
“	An excellent programme delivered by a very knowledgeable and approachable team.	”
“	I can honestly say that it was the best workshop/study day I have ever been to, so thank you very much for your excellent organisation, and a very enjoyable and informative day. I have taken away some very interesting thoughts and ideas.	”
“	I would most certainly recommend that this course is re-accredited; it is really excellent and we need more of this calibre. — Royal College of Nursing	”
“	Would totally recommend colleagues to attend workshop; look forward to attending the next one! Thank you!	”

Workshop on Lung Function Tests,
Asthma and Work

Next dates:
Tuesday 16 November, 2010;
Friday 24 June, 2011

Held twice yearly. Please contact Magda Wheatley for further details.

Brief description:

Suitable for all Occupational Health professionals with a particular interest in spirometry and lung function testing, and their implications in the workplace.

Examines the role of lung function testing in the workplace. Covers spirometry, histamine provocation and exercise testing: interpretation, abnormalities, longitudinal changes, individual variation and role in health surveillance; use in pre-employment screening/fitness to work; risk assessment of people with asthma.

NB: this is not a practical Spirometry course; a working knowledge of practical spirometry is assumed.

Limited to 30 delegates.

Accreditation:

Accredited by the Royal College of Physicians (CPD) and by the RCN Accreditation Unit.

“	As a first-time attendee, there is nothing else that I would have hoped for.	”
“	Excellent discussion of the relevant issues. Good chairmanship too!	”
“	Pitched at a level that all members could absorb and understand.	”
“	Very informative. Helpful in terms of adopting a confident and robust approach to supporting “asthmatics” in employment on a rational basis.	”
“	Very much enjoyed the case studies and interaction between the delegates and lecturers. What I really liked is that you achieved your aim of making it understandable. The pace was great. Liked the use of evidence to question current practice and provide insights into interpretation.	”

Forthcoming Courses

Course		Date	Suitable for	Who to contact
Lung Function Tests, Asthma and Work	View flyer View programme	16 November 2010 24 June 2011	Occupational physicians	Magda Wheatley
Occupational Asthma	View flyer View programme	15 October 2010 24 May 2011	Occupational health advisers Occupational health nurses Practice nurses	Justine Arbery, Magda Wheatley
Introductory Medical Statistics (internal to NHLI + RBH staff)	View flyer View programme	11-12 November 2010 31 March & 1 April 2011	RBH staff, Brompton campus NHLI staff	Jess Harris / Stephanie MacNeill / Susie Schofield; Magda Wheatley
Introductory Medical Statistics (external)	View flyer View programme	23-24 September 2010 Autumn 2011 (dates TBC)	Junior doctors, nurses, clinical research fellows, MSc students	Magda Wheatley

Staff Teaching Interests

Julie Cannon and Justine Arbery

In-house teaching on all aspects of occupational asthma. Occasional external teaching on occupational asthma. We like to encourage visitors to the department to observe challenge testing, skin prick testing etc. Please contact us directly if you are interested in visiting.

Professor Paul Cullinan (CASLAT*)

A wide range of teaching and invited lectures on occupational asthma and other occupational lung diseases, and the epidemiology of those diseases, both internally and externally in the UK, and also abroad.

Jessica Harris, Stephanie MacNeill (CASLAT*) and Susie Schofield

An introductory medical statistics course for research staff at the National Heart and Lung Institute [Brompton Campus only] and Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust is offered. The course covers how to describe data, choose appropriate statistical tests, interpret test results, interpret linear and logistical regression models and understand basic concepts in survival analysis.
Basic introductory lectures on various courses are also offered at Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust and Imperial College School of Medicine including MSc courses and the Evidence Based Health Care Course.

Meinir Jones (CASLAT*)

BSc Respiratory Medicine; MSc Medical Immunology Course.

Professor Sir Anthony Newman Taylor

A wide range of teaching and invited lectures on occupational asthma and other occupational lung diseases, and the epidemiology of those diseases, both internally and externally in the UK, and also abroad.

Jo Szram (CASLAT*, HEA**)

Holder of an Imperial College teaching development grant for the project "Lungs at Work: an e-learning programme for occupational lung disease".
Teaching Imperial College Medical Students.
Teaching on MRCP courses at Hammersmith, Ealing and St George's Hospitals.
Teaching postgraduate students undertaking Diploma in Thoracic Medicine / MSc Respiratory Medicine and Medical Immunology.
Supervisor for BSc Projects and student BTS abstract presentations.

* CASLAT

Holder of the CASLAT qualification: the Certificate of Advanced Student Learning and Teaching.

** HEA

Higher Education Academy Fellow.