Chronic Disease Learning Pathway

The Benchmarque Group have received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health to deliver 4 nationally accredited programs Care Planning, Foot Health, Nutrition and Management Tools. The Foundations of Chronic Disease is a free program and the 4 nationally accredited programs are fully-funded which means there is no cost for participating organisations or individuals.  

These programs will be delivered under a new Chronic Disease Learning Pathway. The first level of this pathway, Foundations of Chronic Disease, is an online-only program that must be completed prior to registering into the level two programs: Chronic Disease Care Planning, Chronic Conditions and Nutrition, Chronic Conditions of the Foot, and Chronic Disease Management Tools.

This form is to capture interest from organisations to support the work-shop components of the following programs:

• Chronic Disease Care Planning
• Chronic Disease Conditions and Nutrition
• Chronic Conditions of the Foot

All workshops run for 8 hours. To deliver these workshops a minimum of 12 registrations are required, with Chronic Disease Care Planning capped at 22, and Chronic Disease Conditions and Nutrition, and Chronic Conditions of the Foot are capped at 16.

Please find further information on the programs below, and a link to an Expression of Interest form.

Entry Requirements (all programs). Relevant roles would include:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers or Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses
• General Practitioners
• General Practice Registrars
• Allied Health Workers
• Social and Emotional Wellbeing Workers
• Others on request. 

Foundations of Chronic Disease (Non-accredited)

• Online only program with an estimated 10 hours of active learning 
• Students must complete the Foundations of Chronic Disease prior to level two programs. 

The program includes detailed information on the determinants of health, indigenous health, chronic disease frameworks, the patient journey, health literacy, and chronic conditions. 

Upon successful completion of the program students should have the ability to: 

• Understand the burden of chronic disease 
• Identify priority groups 
• Understand your role in Close the Gap 
• Understand the patient journey and link to coordinated care, cultural safety, health literacy and communications styles 
• Identify the need for prevention and the use of prevention tools 
• Understand care coordination 

Chronic Conditions of the Foot (CHCCCS013 Provide basic foot care)

• One day face to face workshop with estimated 10 hours of active learning

The program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to recognise general foot conditions, determine foot care requirements, and prepare and use basic equipment and medications for those people not requiring services of a professional podiatrist in a range of residential and community service contexts.  

Upon successful completion of the program students should have the ability to: 

• Recognise general foot conditions 
• Safely perform a basic foot care assessment 
• Determine foot care requirements 
• Prepare and use basic equipment and materials 
• Document foot, skin and nail care according to organisational requirements 
• Make appropriate referrals in a timely manner

Chronic Disease Care Planning (CHCCCS001 Address the needs of people with chronic disease) 

• One day face to face workshop with an estimated 7 hours of active learning  

The program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to determine the supports required for chronic disease management, support person-centric care, engage the client, identify and manage risk factors, and contribute to a multi-disciplinary service approach within the care planning model. 

Upon successful completion of the program students should have the ability to: 

• Determine the persons chronic disease management needs, identify risk factors, understand engagement 
• Support the person in behaviour change, recognise the need for referrals, recognise the need for follow-up and review 
• Apply effective care planning techniques to support the management process 

Chronic Conditions and Nutrition (HLTHPS010 Interpret and use information about nutrition and diet)

• One day face to face workshop with an estimated 7 hours of active learning  

The program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge required to interpret and use basic information about nutritional principles and healthy diet. 

Upon successful completion of the program students should have the ability to: 

• Access nutritional and dietary information
• Use information about diet and nutrition
• Maintain own knowledge of nutrition