Virtual Course on the Implementation of the HEARTS Technical Package in Primary Health Care

INTRODUCTION:

The Global HEARTS initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to improve practices in the control of cardiovascular diseases in the primary care level through the use of five technical packages: MPOWER for tobacco control, SHAKE for the reduction of salt consumption, REPLACE for the elimination of trans fat, ACTIVE for increasing physical activity, and HEARTS for the clinical management of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia (https://www.paho.org/en/hearts-americas/hearts-americas-technical-package). HEARTS prioritize the systematic and comprehensive management of hypertension through effective diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

The course consists of 11 modules, from module III to XI each one is composed of 5 parts: 1) Module introduction and main concepts based on a presentation by an expert with experience in the implementation of HEARTS initiative, 2) Learning capsules consisting of short learning videos called "capsules" and other didactic material 3) Clinical exercise, 4) Recommended reading: include a set of reading to complement the learning, and 5) Evaluation, composed of 5 to 10 multiple choice questions that cover everything related to theoretical, practical, and reading material.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This course is intended for primary care physicians, nurses, and others health workers, such as physician and nurse assistants, nutritionists, social workers, psychologists and other members of primary care team and health care managers.

Additionally, faculty at health sciences programs, including medicine, nursing, public health, are encouraged to make the course available to their students or to embed it in appropriate courses.

COURSE FORMAT

The course is available on the platform of the Virtual Campus for Public Health of PAHO/WHO, (VCPH) accessible 24/7, on a self-administered modality to be taken at the participant’s own pace, independently or as part of on-the-job professional development programs.

COURSE MODULES

• MODULE 0 Welcome remarks
• MODULE I Course structure and content
• MODULE II Framework of the HEARTS Global Initiative
• MODULE III Healthy-lifestyle counseling
• MODULE IV Evidence-based treatment protocols
• MODULE V Access to essential medicines and technology
• MODULE VI Risk based CVD management
• MODULE VII Team-based care
• MODULE VIII Systems for monitoring
• MODULO IX Implementation
• MODULE X Implementation and research
• MODULE XI Cost