Approach to the Patient with Gastrointestinal Disease – Flexi CPD Course

224,00 € Ex VAT

Type:  Flexi CPD (converted from a tutored course)
Start:  On-demand / Unlimited Lifetime Access
CPD:    12 hours (UK), 12 points (approved in AUS, NZ and ZA)
Level:  Intermediate

 

Description

SAVC and AVNAT Approved Course
This flexi CPD course is aimed at vet nurses and vet technicians in general practice and is available on-demand with unlimited lifetime access.  Each module consists of a tutorial, quiz and further reading articles

 

In recent years there has been a marked interest in identifying the causes of gastrointestinal disease in companion animals; the path to diagnosis has progressed with the identification of serological biomarkers and more access to endoscopy within general practice. Novel protein diets have been developed by veterinary food companies resulting in a positive effect on outcome in combination with pharmaceuticals for some animals.

 

The veterinary nurse plays a key role investigation, treatment and client support for these often, chronic cases. Having an enhanced level of knowledge on the pathophysiology and treatment options, together with a firm understanding of the diagnostic process is paramount to patient recovery.

 

After completing this 6 week online course, the participants will have a greater knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of gastrointestinal disease which they can apply regularly in practice.

 

Module 1

Diseases of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) anatomy refresher
  • UGIT hereditary and acquired abnormalities
  • Investigation of vomiting and regurgitation
  • Sedation and general anaesthesia considerations

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • List the main structures of the UGIT
  • Describe the normal function and processes of the UGIT
  • Identify the difference between vomiting and regurgitation and the common causes
  • Understand the diagnostic approach to patients with UGIT symptoms
  • Explain the reasons why patients with UGIT disease are higher risk for investigative procedures
  • Evaluate current methods used in practice to sedate patients with UGIT disease and analyse if modifications to practice would be beneficial

Module 2

Diseases of the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Lower gastrointestinal tract (LGIT) anatomy refresher
  • LGIT pathophysiology
  • Mechanisms and classification of diarrhoea
  • Investigative process for LGIT symptoms
  • Patient preparation for GI endoscopy
  • Supportive treatment for patients with LGIT

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • List the main structures of the LGIT
  • Describe the normal function and processes of the LGIT
  • Differentiate diarrhoea types and common causes
  • Understand the diagnostic approach to patients with LGIT symptoms
  • Evaluate current care plans used in practice to prepare patients for endoscopy and analyse if modifications to practice would be beneficial
  • Summarise the key therapeutic treatments for patients with LGIT

Module 3

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • Anatomy and functions of the gastroscope
  • Cleaning and sterilising procedures
  • Endoscopy sourcing, storage, and auditing

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • Label the main components and list the functions of a gastroscope
  • Explain the bedside procedure for cleaning and then sterilising the gastroscope
  • Select the correct biopsy tools and materials for optimal sampling and histological value
  • Evaluate practice protocols to standardise in line with current best practice

Module 4

Interventional Endoscopy
  • Foreign body removal
  • Balloon dilatation
  • Injection of steroids and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Endoscopically placed feeding tubes

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • List the various interventional uses of gastrointestinal endoscopy
  • Select the correct forcep tool for foreign body retrieval
  • Describe the ballooning technique use for oesophageal strictures
  • Explain the indications, risks and technique for placing a PEG tube

Module 5

Nursing Patients with Gastrointestinal Disease
  • Nursing basics and care plans
  • Pain and emesis management
  • Oesophageal tube placement
  • Assisted feeding methods

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • List the essential care requirements for nursing patients with GI disease
  • Identify symptoms of pain and nausea
  • Compare patient assessment tools to monitor status and benchmark interventional treatment
  • Calculate energy requirements and feeding volumes for tube feeds

Module 6

Enteropathy Therapeutics and Nutrition
  • Terminology of diseases
  • Pathways and mechanisms of enteropathies
  • Medications and therapies
  • EBVM current information
  • Dietary needs

Learning objectives
After completion of this module, participants should be able to:

 

  • Differentiate between terms associated with chronic enteropathies
  • Analyse the treatments allocated to different types of enteropathy
  • Refer to updated resources and guidelines to further inform their knowledge and subsequently refer to it at a later date
  • Explain what a diet trial is
  • List the types of dietary allergen there are

 

The course will be available immediately following purchase, with unlimited lifetime access and will provide a total of:
12 hours of CPD (UK)
12 points (Australia and New Zealand)
12 points (South Africa – SAVC Accreditation Number AC/2873/26)

Release date: Sept 2025

9 reviews for Approach to the Patient with Gastrointestinal Disease – Flexi CPD Course

  1. Emily E-B –

    I enjoyed this course as a knowledge refresher. Really enjoyed the quizzes and tested knowledge well.

    Rated: Introduction / Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  2. Louisa G –

    I enjoyed it apart from week three, I an just not very interested in the care ect of endoscopes as it is not something I do. The different types of scope and their use was interesting.

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Qualified RVN in general practice >5 years – UK)

  3. Lyndsey B –

    The course gave me a good understanding of the steps we need to take in diagnosing GI dieases and how we as nurses can play a part in this

    Rated: Intermediate level
    (Newly qualified <2 years - UK)

  4. Karen H –

    Great interactive learning and tutorials

    Rated: Intermediate level

  5. Laura M –

    Really useful and interesting lectures and good varied tasks to complete each week

    Rated: Intermediate level

  6. Sophie B –

    The course was engaging, informative and structured well.

    Rated: Introduction / Intermediate / Advanced level

  7. Nathalie F –

    Very informative with very good tutorials and further reading, the tests at the end were interesting and I liked the crosswords

    Rated: Intermediate level

  8. Karen N –

    Good course which was easy to follow and informative

    Rated: Introduction

  9. Strachan C –

    Very informative, without being too technical. Perhaps a bit too long?

    Rated: Advanced level

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Speakers

Nicola Read MSc (Veterinary Nursing), PgCert (Oncology Nursing), PgCert (Vet Ed), DipAVN (Med), AFHEA, RVN
Head Oncology Nurse, Royal Veterinary College

 

Nicola qualified in 2000 from a well-established small animal general practice in North West London where she also gained the D32/33 Assessor qualification. She spent a year at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2001 to gain experience in a charity based organisation and then moved to the Queen Mother Hospital, Royal Veterinary College in 2002, in order to study for the RCVS Advanced diploma. In June 2008 she became the Head Medicine Nurse at the Royal Veterinary College, then Head Oncology Nurse in 2015 after a departmental split. She recently earned her MSc in Veterinary Nursing and PgC in Veterinary Education. Her clinical interests are endocrinology, gastroenterology, oncology immune-mediated disease and palliative care.

Speakers

Gina Parkes DipAVN(Small Animal), PgCert Vet Ed, FHEA, RVN
Head Medicine Nurse, Royal Veterinary College

 

Gina qualified in Northern Ireland in 2008 and found a passion for nursing in teaching hospitals at the University of Melbourne. She returned to the UK and joined the Royal Veterinary College as the Senior Medicine Nurse in 2011. She won best clinical abstract presented by a nurse at BSAVA in 2015 and became the Head Medicine Nurse in 2016. She completed her PgCert in Veterinary Education in 2018 and has a passion for infection control, endoscopy and endocrinology.

CPD Hours

This online course is worth 12 hours of CPD.

 

A certificate will be available from the ‘My Courses’ section, for you to download and print, once you have completed the course.  A permanent record of your total CPD hours will also be recorded in your account section.

AVNAT

Australia and New Zealand 

The Australian Veterinary Nurse and Technician (AVNAT) Regulatory Council has allocated 12 AVNAT CPD points to this continuing education activity.

 

This course is also recognised by the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) as providing 12 CPD points.

 

SAVC

South Africa

The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has allocated 12 CPD points to this continuing education activity. Accreditation Number AC/2873/26

Information

Upon purchase you will be immediately registered to attend the course, with unlimited lifetime access.  The course will consist of six modules, where each module provides two hours of CPD, in the form of a tutorial, a quiz and also a selection of further reading journals, articles or book chapters.

 

The course is completely flexible, where all the learning resources are provided immediately – it is designed for you to complete one module per week, but it is completely up to you, how and when you decide to complete the course. You have unlimited lifetime access to all the supportive learning materials, and once you have completed the whole course, a certificate will be automatically generated.

 

Looking for some further information? – please have a look at our Flexi Online CPD Courses – PDF Guide

Levels

This course has been listed as ‘Intermediate’ level

 

All of our courses are aimed at veterinary nurses in general practice, but everyone who works in the veterinary profession is very welcome to attend, whether you are a clinical receptionist, veterinary surgeon, student nurse or have been a qualified nurse for over 20 years!

 

The courses are not formally assessed for skill level, so the following CPD levels are just a rough guide to help you decide if a course may be more or less suitable:

 

Introduction
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice approaching a new topic or looking for a refresher course

Intermediate
– maybe most suitable for qualified nurses in general practice along with referral / specialist nurses looking for a refresher course

Advanced
– maybe most suitable for referral / specialist nurses and highly experienced qualified nurses in general practice

Invoice My Practice

Invoice

Debit or credit card is the preferred payment method

Please ask your practice manager or accounts department to visit the website, register an account in their own name, and during checkout, complete the ‘delegate name’ and ‘delegate email’ sections with your personal details.  We will then register you a personal account on your behalf, and transfer the course booking over to your new personal account.  We will of course email you all the information you need to access this new account and your CPD course.

 

If you need an invoice and no other payment method is available to you, then please email [email protected] with all the following information:

  • Full name of delegate
  • Email address for delegate
  • Course(s) booking
  • Any discounts / promotions being redeemed
  • Practice name and address
  • Invoice name and address (if different)
  • Corporate group name (Linnaeus, IVC, Medivet, VetPartners etc) (if applicable)
  • Practice code (eg Vet4Pets practices)
  • Booking / invoice reference (if required)
  • Email address to send the invoice (practice manager, accounts department or head office – not your own email address please)

Please note the following:

  • Invoices must be requested a minimum of 4-6 weeks prior to a course starting, to allow time for the payment to be received
  • Delegates will not be allowed access to any course without prior payment
  • An invoice will be emailed to the contact provided and the course booking will be reserved for 7 days, whilst payment via debit / credit card or BACS is arranged
  • There will be an administration fee of £2.50 +VAT per invoice generated. You may book multiple delegates / multiple courses on a single invoice to the same practice

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