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Record learning outcomes

Training your team and ensuring everyone's knowledge is up-to-date are important CPD triggers. We suggest that you get the team together for a training session based on the activities below and discuss the various ways in which you can offer customers and patients added care in this category.

Subject: digestive health

This Train Your Team checklist provides support and information to run a team training session on digestive health. This content can also be used for your own CPD.

Reflection

• How well do we check customer requests for products that may be indicative of a more serious GI condition?
• Do we focus on appropriate lifestyle advice for customers who may overindulge during the festive period?
• Do we take the opportunity to encourage appropriate customers to attend the GP for cancer screening?
• Are we alert to the signs and symptoms of possible bowel cancer?
• Do we take the opportunity to engage customers on issues of weight management, alcohol consumption and smoking?
• Do we consider the use of probiotics in bowel conditions?
• Do we have information to hand on the various self-help groups for GI conditions?

Training checklist

Ensure your support staff understand the following key points:

• The risk factors for upper GI problems
• The difference between heartburn and indigestion and how customers use these terms interchangeably
• How an early diagnosis for bowel cancer can increase the chances of recovery and survival
• The importance of talking to customers who are frequently buying antidiarrhoeals or laxatives
• The range of symptoms associated with IBS
• When to refer customers with GI problems to the pharmacist.

Action. I will:

• Evaluate the evidence base for probiotics in bowel health
• Consider how we can raise bowel cancer awareness in the pharmacy
• Ensure that we advise customers on the importance of appropriate diagnosis of bowel symptoms
• Train my pharmacy assistants to ensure that they can meet the points in the training checklist.

Practice point

• Which common conditions and foods can cause bloating? Can you identify any specific foods commonly consumed at Christmas time? www.nhs.uk/Livewell/digestive-health/Pages/beat-the-bloat.aspx