Table 1.

Training seminar for general practitioners: 2-day workshop

Module 1: Introduction	Introduction to the concepts of the Education Thérapeutique des patients Insuffisants Cardiaques (ETIC; Therapeutic Education for Patients with Cardiac Failure) trial and patient education
Module 2: Heart failure	Chronic heart failure: definitions; epidemiology; clinical diagnosis; treatment guidelines; echocardiographic criteria; cardiac biomarkers—B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP (how and when to prescribe them) Clinical symptoms: how to recognise heart failure in daily practice New York Heart Association (NYHA) stages: definitions; assessment of NYHA stages from case vignettes Suspicious clinical signs Adaptation of physical activity as a function of NYHA stage
Module 3: Concepts of patient education	Assessment and building on patients’ existing knowledge Identification of lifestyle and dietary habits, physical activity, hobbies, leisure activities, projects and resources available to the patient Assessment of patients’ stage of change, motivation and attitude Collaboration with the patient to define achievable and measurable objectives
Module 4: Communication	Communication skills Communication tools Motivational interviewing Lifestyle counselling based on the Five As model (ask, assess, advise, assist, and arrange)
Module 5: Role play to simulate a patient consultation with the general practitioner	Identification and use of patients’ knowledge (clinical alarm signs, physical activity, diet and cardiovascular risk factors), values, motivation, projects and resources to involve the patient in their personal objectives Classification of these personal objectives by therapeutic priority and patient preference Use of effective communication strategies
Module 6: Case report forms	Inclusion and exclusion criteria How to promote and present the ETIC trial to patients How to fill in the case report forms How to organise the follow-up and topics: educational booklet and educational tools (i.e. dietary leaflets, clinical alarm signs)

General practitioners were trained to deliver a patient education programme during a 2-day interactive workshop (six modules)