The PACE Curriculum

The PACE program curriculum is delivered in two 2½ hour interactive sessions, ideally spaced one week apart to give participants an opportunity to try out the concepts from the first session.  Their experiences can then be discussed at the second session.   The seminar works best when there are three to four instructors:

• Primary care provider
• Asthma specialist
• Health educator
• Expert in practice coding and billing (for optional segment)

Resources for organizing and leading PACE include everything you need to deliver the PACE curriculum.  Below is a brief overview of the curriculum and didactic methods used.

To view a video clip that explains the PACE curriculum, click on the link below:

Training Video for Facilitators: The PACE Program Curriculum (run time 5:16 sec),
        you need RealPlayer on your computer.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Session 1

Segment 1: Clinical Aspects of Asthma and the Long-Term Treatment Plan

  SLIDE PRESENTATION: 

• Provides an overview of the clinical aspects of asthma, including the goals and prescribing patterns considered the standard of practice in asthma care today.
• Introduces methods clinicians can use to teach patients to respond to changing conditions by adjusting medications at home.
• Emphasizes the importance of formulating a long-term treatment plan in partnership with the family.

  DISCUSSION: 

• Using the guidelines recommended in the presentation as a framework, participants discuss how to treat children with different patterns of symptoms.

Segment 2: Communication Strategies

  SLIDE PRESENTATION: 

• Provides a theoretical framework which, when used to guide communication and behavior, can increase the likelihood that patients will follow clinician recommendations.
• Explains why good communication is essential.

  VIDEO PRESENTATION:

• Demonstrates communication techniques, which have been shown to enhance patient satisfaction with medical care and increase adherence to the treatment plan.

 DISCUSSION:

• Participants review the techniques depicted in the video and discuss ways the techniques can be tailored to fit each clinician's own style and practice.

ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION:

• Participants are asked to try during the following week one or more communication techniques they have not yet tried to see how they work with their patients.
• They are asked to observe and rate their own communication behavior using protocols provided.
• Participants are asked to bring in an asthma case from their practice for discussion during the next session.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Session 2

Segment 1: Patient Education Messages

  VIDEO PRESENTATION:

• Demonstrates the basic messages patients and families must receive in order to effectively manage asthma on a day-to-day basis.

   DISCUSSION:

• Participants discuss how best to provide the educational messages depicted in the video.  What are some barriers to getting the messages across, and how can they be overcome?

Segment 2: Clinical Case Studies

   DISCUSSION:

• Participants discuss asthma cases from their own practices.  Communication and educational aspects of cases will be addressed along with medical and pharmacological issues.

Segment 3: Documentation, Coding & Reimbursement (optional)

  SLIDE PRESENTATION:

• Institutional reviews have shown that many physicians fail to realize full reimbursement from their interactions with asthma patients.  This segment demonstrates how quality care for asthma education and counseling should be properly coded and gives practical tips for implementing these strategies.  This will help physicians receive appropriate and, usually, increased reimbursement for the quality care they provide.

  next page: Session Basics