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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: topical pain relief 

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

Reflection

• How are topical pain relief products displayed in the pharmacy?
• Do we make the most of the potential for linked sales (e.g. oral and topical analgesics, food supplements, complementary therapies, support bandages)?
• Am I up to date with the latest guidance on osteoarthritis from NICE?
• Am I aware which preparations the NICE guidance recommends as first-line?
• Are we clear on when to use heat and when to use cold treatment in cases of joint injury?
• Do we discuss all management options with customers (i.e. oral and topical analgesics and dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin)?

Training checklist

Ensure support staff understand the following key points:

• The causes of joint pain, including injury and arthritis
• What types of joint pain can be considered for management in the pharmacy
• Which customers should be referred to the pharmacist
• The use of hot and cold in cases of joint injury
• The use of the ‘PRICEM’ method for treating sports injuries
• The importance of taking oral analgesics for the shortest possible period of time
• Questions to ask the customer
• The importance of asking about medication. An acute joint injury could be caused by a fall which, particularly in an older person, could have been caused by medication
• The role of dietary supplements (e.g. fish oils, glucosamine).

I will:

• Study the NICE guidelines on osteoarthritis
• Train my pharmacy assistants to ensure that they can meet the points in the training checklist
• Use this module as an opportunity for an entry in my CPD record.