Minor Illness Course Online 2025
- Description
- Curriculum
- Notice
Learn to assess and manage common minor illnesses confidently—anytime, anywhere.
This online Minor Illness Course is specifically designed for nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and other clinicians new to managing minor illness presentations in primary care, general practice, and community healthcare settings.
Course Aims
This course aims to build your confidence and competence in managing a wide range of minor illnesses using real-life case studies, webinars, and a guided competency document. It’s ideal for those preparing for advanced practice or transitioning into patient-facing roles in primary care.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
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Recognise, assess, and manage a variety of minor illnesses including ENT, skin, respiratory, eye, abdominal, and gynaecological conditions
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Identify red flags and escalate appropriately to prevent clinical deterioration
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Apply evidence-based guidelines to manage headaches, back pain, and eye conditions effectively
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Integrate antimicrobial stewardship into prescribing practice to reduce antibiotic resistance
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Use a competency document to track progress and work with a clinical mentor
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Refer to a comprehensive booklet for quick, practical guidance on minor illnesses
📚 Course Content Overview
🩺 Consultation and History Taking
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Effective patient-centred consultation models (e.g. SOCRATES, ICE)
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Techniques to gather accurate clinical information
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Managing challenging or complex consultations
🌿 Skin Conditions
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Managing eczema, acne, fungal infections, and more
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Identifying skin cancers and cellulitis
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Prescribing and advising on topical treatments
😮💨 Respiratory Illnesses
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Acute and chronic conditions: asthma, COPD, URTIs, LRTIs
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Red flags and respiratory emergencies
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NICE and GINA guideline-based care
🧠 Headaches and Back Pain
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Differentiating tension headaches, migraines, and secondary causes
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Red flag identification: neurological signs, infection, malignancy
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Managing musculoskeletal back pain safely
👁 Eye Conditions
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Diagnosing conjunctivitis, styes, and red eye
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Urgent ophthalmic red flags
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Treatment and referral protocols
👂 ENT Disorders
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Managing sore throats, otitis media/externa, sinusitis
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Identifying complications such as quinsy and hearing loss
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Appropriate antibiotic prescribing
🍽 Abdominal Pain
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Common causes: IBS, gastritis, appendicitis
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Red flags for urgent referral (e.g. acute abdomen)
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Practical approaches to diagnosis and treatment
💊 Antimicrobial Stewardship
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Principles of safe and effective antibiotic use
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Reducing resistance and improving patient outcomes
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Supporting self-care and delayed prescribing
🧬 Gynaecological Health
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Managing discharge, pelvic pain, and menstrual disorders
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Spotting signs of ectopic pregnancy, PID, endometriosis
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Effective and safe prescribing for women’s health
❤️ Sexual Health & Contraception
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Managing STI’s and offering sexual health advice
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Prescribing and reviewing contraception, including emergency contraception
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Addressing sensitive concerns with confidence
🌸 Menopause Management
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Identifying and managing symptoms of menopause
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Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) options
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Risk management: osteoporosis and heart health
🧠 Mental Health in Minor Illness
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Assessing anxiety, depression, and stress-related presentations
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Recognising mental health crises
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Supporting long-term mental health in a primary care context
🎓 Key Course Features
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100% Online Learning – Study at your own pace with flexible modules
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Live Webinars – Join expert-led interactive lunchtime sessions
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Downloadable Minor Illness Booklet – For use in everyday clinical practice
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Competency Framework – Work with a mentor to build real-world clinical skills
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Interactive Learning – Case studies, quizzes, and reflective portfolio tasks
⏱ Course Format & CPD Details
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Delivery Mode: Fully online, accessible 24/7
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Duration: 12 weeks (approx. 5–6 hours per week)
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CPD Accreditation: 150 CPD hours (equivalent to 30 credits)
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Assessment: Case-based online quizzes, portfolio for self assessment
Why Choose This Minor Illness Course?
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Tailored for new clinicians new to working in an advanced role in primary care, urgent care, and community nursing
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Ideal for nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and AHPs preparing for advanced clinical practice
ible Online Healthcare Courses
- 3History Taking HandoutsText lesson
These handouts and resources are to be used as a guide during consultation.
- 4Recording: History Taking and Consultation Skills1 hr
This recording explore the importance of good history taking. Good history-taking is fundamental to effective clinical practice in primary care and general practice. It forms the cornerstone of diagnosis and management, enabling clinicians to:
- 5Reference ListText lesson
This list of books and articles on history takign and consultation skills is for guidance only.
- 6Reflection on Practice1hr
Reflection is a critical component of professional and personal development, particularly in healthcare. It involves actively analysing experiences to gain insights, improve performance, and enhance learning. By reflecting, clinicians can identify strengths, recognise areas for improvement, and develop strategies to deliver better patient care.
- 7History Taking Quiz3 questions
- 8ENT HandoutsText lesson
This session will provide an understanding of ENT anatomy, discuss diagnostic techniques, and explore up-to-date management strategies to enhance patient care in clinical settings
- 9Recording: ENT Disorders in Primary Care2hrs
This session explores common ENT conditions in primary care.
- 10References and Reflective QuestionsText lesson
There are a wide range of resources available. Check local policy and guidelines especially around antimicrobial prescribing.
- 11ENT Quiz3 questions
- 12Ophthalmology HandoutsText lesson
This comprehensive course provides healthcare professionals with essential skills and knowledge to diagnose and manage common eye disorders. Learn to conduct basic examinations, understand treatment protocols, and effectively educate patients on maintaining eye health.
- 13Ophthalmology1hr
This session focusses on assessment and management of eye conditions.
- 14ReferencesText lesson
Please refer to local guidelines and policies. Reflective questions are an excellent tool to encourage deep thinking and self-assessment after a session on eye disorders.
- 15Ophthalmology Quiz3 questions
- 16Recording : Headaches in Primary Care1hr
This sessions discuss clinical decision -making in patients who present with a headache in primary care settings.
- 17Recording : Red Flags in Headaches1hr
This is an update discussing red flag symptoms iin patients that present to urgent and primary care settings.
- 18Headaches : References and ReflectionText lesson
Use these references for further reading. BASH is a useful site for support groups and updates in management of headaches.
- 19Headaches Quiz3 questions
- 23Dermatology : Skin Rashes3hrs
- 24Eczema, Food intolerances and skin rashes lecture recording2hr
This recording from a recent webinar by a paediatric consultant discusses the link between food intolerances and eczema in children.
- 25Recording: Emollients and Steroids in Primary Care1hr
This session focusses on the use of emollients and steroids in the treatment of skin conditions in primary care. Session by Dr Ahmed Kazmi, dermatology consultant.
- 26References and ReflectionText lesson
Reflection helps identify strengths and gaps in diagnosing and managing conditions, leading to more accurate and confident decision-making.By reflecting on past cases, clinicians can learn from experiences, adjust their approach, and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
- 27Skin Disorders Quiz3 questions
- 28Gynaecology Conditions1hr
This session explore common gynaecology sessions seen in primary care settings and will develop your skills in recognisisng PCO's, endometriosis and treating abnormal uterine bleeing.
- 29Abnormal Uterine Bleeding RecordingPreview 1hr
The session is designed for healthcare professionals working in primary care and women’s health services, aiming to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the different causes of AUB, ranging from hormonal imbalances to structural abnormalities such as fibroids and polyps. Dr Jenkins will emphasise the importance of recognising red flags for serious underlying conditions like endometrial cancer and when to refer for specialist investigation.
- 30Reflection and ReferencesText lesson
Reflection and continuous learning are essential to delivering safe, effective, and up-to-date patient care. By engaging in regular reflection and staying informed with current guidelines, clinicians can improve their diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, and overall quality of care.
- 31Gynae MCQ3 questions
- 32Recording: Asthma Presentations and GINA Update1hr
This session focusses on treating asthma patients that preset to minor illness clinics in primary care settings.
- 33Respiratory LectureVideo lesson
- 34Respiratory : References and ReflectionText lesson
Reflective practice provides you with an opportunityy to reflect on what you have learned and identify further learning needs.
- 35Respiratory Quiz3 questions
- 39Menopause HandoutsText lesson
This session is for healthcare professionals to improve their knowledge and skills in managing menopausal women. This session covers the physiological changes during menopause, common symptoms, and evidence-based treatment options, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal approaches. Participants will learn to identify and manage the long-term health risks of menopause, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, while applying the latest guidelines to ensure optimal patient care. This session is ideal for clinicians in primary care, urgent care, and women’s health settings.
- 40Recording: Menopause1hr
This session focusses on the latest guidelines in assessing premenopausal and menopausal women and the most current treatment options.
- 41Resources and Reflective PracticeText lesson
These references and reflective questions are designed to support continuous professional development and application of evidence-based care for menopausal patients
- 42Menopause Quiz3 questions
- 44Summary Antimicrobial GuidelinesText lesson
These guidelines update regularly. Ensure you stay up to date.
- 45Recording: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Primary Care1hr
This session discusses how antimicrobials work and current guidelines on use for common minor ailments.
- 46Antimicrobial Prescribing Quiz3 questions
- 47References and Reflective Practice30min
Reflection is an opportunity to review your knowledge on antimicrobials and understand how bacteria, fungi and viral infections present. It is also important to recognise what has caused increased antimicrobial resistance worldwide.
- 51Recording: Chest Pain in Primary CareVideo lesson
This session discusses assessment of the patient presenting with chest pain in out of hospital settings.
- 52References and Reflective Practice: Chest Pain in Primary Care30minutes
Reflection on practice is important to review learnign and identify areas for improvement.
- 53Chest Pain in Primary Care Quiz3 questionsThis quiz explores the management of an individual with chest pain.
- 54Sexual Health Update2hrs
This session will provide an update on the latest evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and managing common sexual health conditions in primary care.
- 55References and Reflection30minutes
Reflection is an opportunity to review learning and identify areas to improve practice.
- 56Sexual Health MCQ9 questions
This is an eLearnign course. You will have access to the live lunchtime webinars.
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