Available on the Learning Hub
This programme is available on the NHS Learning Hub. We recommend you read the information on this webpage to find out more about the programme before you access the learning (https://learninghub.nhs.uk/catalogue/chronic-breathlessness).
More information about the Learning Hub and the migration of elfh programmes can be found here.
About the programme
Many people live with chronic breathlessness. Long-term conditions,
like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure, can cause breathlessness that persists even when the underlying condition is being medically managed as well as possible.
Patients, their carers and health professionals often feel helpless, believing nothing can be done to relieve the symptom. However, there are many self-management techniques that can make a difference, allowing people to feel more in control, confident and able to get on with their daily lives.
This course aims to help health professionals make sense of, and manage, chronic breathlessness. By the end of the session, you should understand how breathlessness can still be improved even when the underlying condition cannot, you will have learned some practical tips to manage the symptom, and you will have considered other sources of support for people living with chronic breathlessness.
This session takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. It is relevant for any health professional who looks after people with long-term conditions causing chronic breathlessness. This includes nurses, therapists, advanced practitioners, doctors and psychologists working in primary care, community care and secondary care.
More information
This elearning was developed as part of the NHSE Respiratory Long Term Plan Breathlessness Management workstream in response to the lack of easily accessible education for health care professionals wishing to provide non-pharmacological self-management support for people living with chronic breathlessness.
Primary and secondary audiences
The session is for any health professional looking after people 
experiencing chronic breathlessness.
Acknowledgements
- Dr Anna Spathis (joint lead) – Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge. Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service
- Sarah Kearney (joint lead) – Respiratory Clinical Nurse specialist, Isle of Wight NHS Trust
- Dr Ann Hutchinson – Research Fellow, Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School
- Dr Flavia Swan, Research Fellow in Cancer Rehabilitation, Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School
- Prof Matthew Maddocks – Professor of Health Services Research & Rehabilitation, King’s College London
- Prof Morag Farquhar – Professor of Palliative Care Research, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia
- Dr Charles Reilly – Consultant Physiotherapist in Chronic Respiratory Disease, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Rose Nakibirango – Programme Manager NHSE
Editorial team
Dr Anna Spathis (joint lead)
Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge. Honorary Consultant in Palliative Medicine, Cambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service
Sarah Kearney (joint lead)
Respiratory Clinical Nurse specialist, Isle of Wight NHS Trust
Dr Flavia Swan
Research Fellow in Cancer Rehabilitation, Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School
Dr Ann Hutchinson
Research Fellow, Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School
Dr Charles Reilly
Consultant Physiotherapist in Chronic Respiratory Disease, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Prof Morag Farquhar
Professor of Palliative Care Research, School of Health Sciences, University of East Anglia
TEL team members
Sarah Gray
Programme Manager - Technology Enhanced Learning, NHS England
Nicole Beckford
Senior Project Manager - Technology Enhanced Learning, NHS England
Alice Denham
Lead Learning Designer - Technology Enhanced Learning, NHS England
Abigail Lingford
Graphic Designer - Technology Enhanced Learning, NHS England
Kieron Bradshaw
Marketing and Communications Officer - Technology Enhanced Learning, NHS England
How to access
To access this elfh programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.
To view the Managing chronic breathlessness programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme .
NHS healthcare staff in England – ESR
The Managing chronic breathlessness programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details are available here.
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Managing chronic breathlessness programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub