THE ORIGINAL ProCAM

The Need for Improvement in Professional Practice

Studies have indicated that under-diagnosis of asthma, inappropriate treatment, and lack of patient education result in over utilization of health care and poor self-management skills.

Studies have also shown that the development of a therapeutic relationship is as important as the education provided.

THE PURPOSE OF ProCAM

ProCAM aims to help participants:

• Develop into skilled health professionals who have special competence in asthma management.
• Develop effective patient education skills.
• Develop therapeutic approaches to build effective patient/provider relationships and emphasize a patient-centred approach
• Develop professional practice behaviors that will promote interdisciplinary partnerships.
• Develop asthma management plans that emphasize prevention, health promotion and patient self-management

EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR ASTHMA PATIENTS

ProCAM is designed to assist health care professionals to help the patient enhance:

• asthma management skills
• quality of life
• optimal health
• individualized action plans
• asthma symptom control

EDUCATION METHODS

ProCAM is a self study course which utilizes principles of adult learning.

• Self-directed learning encourages participants to identify their educational needs, and then apply the literature and practical activities of the course to expand their skills.
• Required objectives and activities are completed and participants are encouraged to design personal objectives and activities.
• Small group discussion facilitates learning from the knowledge and experience of peers and other health care disciplines.
• Staged learning allows participants to build on knowledge and skills acquired in previous modules as they continue to develop their asthma management practices.
• Practical Experience allows participants to implement skills developed in the course while still in the learning environment.
• Course Facilitators are in contact with participants throughout the course to provide guidance and feedback.

CERTIFICATION

Certification from the Alberta Asthma Centre will be awarded to participants based on:

• Completion of pre-study activities
• Participation in the ProCAM workshop
• Completion of all practicum activities

Demonstration of in-depth knowledge and refined skills in the final examination.

First ProCAM graduating class of 1995.

PRE STUDY ACTIVITIES

The pre-study activities are divided into 4 modules. Each module includes: core objectives, profession-specific objectives, reading preparation, core and profession-specific questions and course case studies.

• Module 1
  "Understanding the Person" concentrates on the knowledge and skills you will need to establish good rapport and lay the foundation for a therapeutic patient/professional relationship.
• Module 2
  "Understanding Asthma" emphasizes the assessment of asthma the disease, plus the specific impact it has on individuals.
• Module 3
  "Developing Independence" focuses on understanding and communicating the principles of guided self-management.
• Module 4
  "Maintaining Control" concentrates on evaluating the results of the actions the patient has taken and interpreting the self-monitored data documented by the patient/family.

WORKSHOP

The workshop provides participants with the opportunity to meet with other participants and course facilitators. The workshop includes guest lecturers, case studies, group discussion and role play activities.

PRACTICUM ACTIVITIES

The third component of ProCAM consists of practicum activities completed in the setting of your choice following the workshop. Participants acquire a variety of required and self-selected practicum experiences and record these experiences in a Practicum Log. Practicum assignments allows participants to:

• familiarize themselves with programs available in their community
• apply skills to patients in their own practice setting
• increase sensitivity to patient experience.

FINAL EXAMINATION

The examination of competence includes a knowledge test, review of a patient interaction video and evaluation the subsequent follow-up plan.