PHFI launches certificate course in Management of Thyroid Disorders

The four-month executive, on-the-job, programme aims to train and develop competencies in primary care physicians

A pan-India Certificate Course in Management of Thyroid Disorders was launched by Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Chellaram Diabetes Institute (CDI), Pune. The national launch was simultaneously done in Pune and Guwahati by respective regional faculties along with members from PHFI. The course is a four months executive on the job programme that aims to build capacity amongst primary care physicians to address management, counselling, referral and prevention of thyroid disorders. The programme is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from GSK India.

Officially launching the first cycle of the course in Pune, Dr AG Unnikrishnan, CEO of Chellaram Diabetes Institute, said, “There is a high burden of thyroid diseases in India, which is under-addressed both within the population level and also the medical fraternity level too. Thyroid diseases are different from other diseases in terms of their diagnosis and medical treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment is the cornerstone of management of thyroid disorders, hence there is an urgent need to build capacity in this area as Thyroid has become a serious health threat with exploding population. The Chellaram Diabetes Institute, a state-of-the-art hospital in Pune that aims to make an impact on diabetes and related diseases in India as well as globally – is proud to be associated with PHFI for leading a pan-India course that will ultimately benefit patients with thyroid diseases in India. In Pune centre itself we have 32 doctors enrolled, and I hope that the successful doctors from this course take the responsibility and duty to secure a healthy future for generations ahead.”

Launching the first cycle of the course in Guwahati, Dr Manash P Baruah, Director Excel Centre Guwahati and PHFI CCMTD National Expert, Assam said, “There is a high burden of thyroid disorder in the North Eastern parts, primarily due to the prevalence of iodine deficiency and goitre disorders in the Himalayan regions. Frequent flooding and change of river course attributed to the major causes of iodine depletion in the soil making North East a bed-ground for thyroid disorders. To manage, treat and to prevent the complications of thyroid diseases we need a trained set of doctors who are equipped with the latest advancements, and follow the cutting-edge international and national guidelines. This course by PHFI is a timely and well-designed compendium that will help tackle the challenges of disease detection, management, and further familiarising doctors with advancements in the subject. I hope that the successful doctors from this course take the responsibility and duty to secure a healthy future for generations ahead.”

In his address, Dr Sandeep Bhalla, Programme Director PHFI said, “Recently various studies have indicated that thyroid disease should be considered during routine evaluation of the subcontinents susceptible group and should be followed by appropriate detection and treatment. The findings support the usefulness of training, screening and management for early detection that will benefit in preventing adverse health outcomes in the population such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia. At PHFI, it is our endeavour to help strengthen education, training, and research in the area of public health. The launch of the first cycle of CCMTD is a step further to tackle the rising prevalence thyroid disorders, aiming to strengthen the capacity of doctors to deal with the enormous challenges it poses, with the ultimate aim of improving the health outcomes of people.”

The course comprises study modules spanning over four consecutive months, with once a month contact session. These sessions will be conducted at 25 regional centres (covering 13 states, two Union territories and 22 cities) across India. The course has been designed by a panel of 15 national experts, will be delivered by 25 regional faculty across India. The programme has been conceptualised to train primary care physicians (PCP) across the with its main objective is to enhance knowledge, skills and core competencies of primary care physicians to address case management, counselling, referral & prevention of thyroid disorders in patients. This will enable early diagnosis and prompt referrals of patients and establish a referral linkage pattern. The course utilises a variety of teaching/learning techniques. Training in management of thyroid disorders will be complemented by providing the participants with various distinct case studies and challenging assignments. The course will be interactive with the inclusion of hands-on activities for the participants. Videos to highlight certain points will also be a feature of the course. It will be offered on a modular basis with a mix of case-studies, group discussion and direct teaching by eminent experts, with inbuilt flexibility to accommodate participant’s requirements.