Completion time: approximately 1 hour

This online learning program is designed for members of the health workforce who are involved in the delivery of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin injections. On completion of this program, participants will be able to

• define acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
• describe secondary prophylaxis within the context of acute rheumatic fever.
• describe best practice delivery of intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin for secondary prophylaxis.
• identify strategies available to manage pain and distress for the person receiving injections.

More information is available in the Australian guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (3rd edition).

Topics include

1. Introduction to acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
2. Physiology of rheumatic heart disease
3. Secondary prophylaxis
4. Injection sites
5. Managing injection pain and distress

This program is accredited by the following organisations:

• Australian College of Midwives (AMC) – 1.0 CPD hour
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) – 1.0 CPD hour
• National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) – 1.0 CPD hour

Please note: Images and videos have been shared with permission for educational use. First Nations people are advised that this program may contain images or voices of people who have died.