Courses
Our written courses fall under three categories to ensure optimal learning: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Feel free to gauge your level of knowledge on topics by enrolling in a beginner course to start and slowly work your way up.
Not sure where to begin? Explore our new and updated courses to see which topics spark your interest!
Please note: Findacure rebranded as Beacon: for rare diseases in February 2022. Mentions of Findacure may still be seen in some courses.
New and updated courses
How to run events: tips and tricks for rare disease patient groups
In this course, you’ll learn how to plan, promote, and run successful events for your community no matter your experience or resources. Explore how to set clear goals, choose the right event format, and manage logistics with confidence. Enroll now to learn how to make your events inclusive, engaging, and impactful, while building lasting connections within your community!
The importance of knowing your family health history
In this course, you'll explore why knowing and recording your family health history matters. Understanding your family’s medical background empowers you to take control of your health—enabling earlier detection, better care options, and more informed decisions for yourself and loved ones. Enroll now to learn how to collect your family health history!
Understanding data protection and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
In this course, you'll learn the key principles of GDPR to ensure your organisation handles personal data responsibly and legally. Explore how to collect valid consent and respect individuals' data rights, including the right to withdraw consent, and discover best practices for storing, securing, and using personal and health data safely.
How to run events: tips and tricks for rare disease patient groups
In this course, you’ll learn how to plan, promote, and run successful events for your community no matter your experience or resources. Explore how to set clear goals, choose the right event format, and manage logistics with confidence. Enroll now to learn how to make your events inclusive, engaging, and impactful, while building lasting connections within your community!
The importance of knowing your family health history
In this course, you'll explore why knowing and recording your family health history matters. Understanding your family’s medical background empowers you to take control of your health—enabling earlier detection, better care options, and more informed decisions for yourself and loved ones. Enroll now to learn how to collect your family health history!
Understanding data protection and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
In this course, you'll learn the key principles of GDPR to ensure your organisation handles personal data responsibly and legally. Explore how to collect valid consent and respect individuals' data rights, including the right to withdraw consent, and discover best practices for storing, securing, and using personal and health data safely.
What are non-genetic rare diseases?
In this course, you'll explore the broad spectrum of non-genetic rare diseases. Gain examples of these conditions and connect with patient groups who support these communities. Discover the five key recommendations made in the Non-Genetic Rare Conditions: Challenges and Solutions Report and more!
Beginner courses
7 tips for recruiting trustees to your rare board
Learn 7 top tips for recruiting trustees to your rare board from Katherine from Getting OnBoard! Discover how to attract a diverse Board of Trustees who offer the unique skills and perspectives needed to ensure the success of your organisation.
Getting the most out of Facebook
In this course, you'll explore if Facebook is right for your patient group. Learn how to set up a Facebook page, when you should post on Facebook, 8 top tips for getting the most out of the platform and more!
Getting the most out of Instagram
In this course, you'll learn Instagram's benefits for patient groups, the ways you can post on the platform and discover 8 top tips to help you improve your account in 1 hour or less!
7 tips for recruiting trustees to your rare board
Learn 7 top tips for recruiting trustees to your rare board from Katherine from Getting OnBoard! Discover how to attract a diverse Board of Trustees who offer the unique skills and perspectives needed to ensure the success of your organisation.
Getting the most out of Facebook
In this course, you'll explore if Facebook is right for your patient group. Learn how to set up a Facebook page, when you should post on Facebook, 8 top tips for getting the most out of the platform and more!
Getting the most out of Instagram
In this course, you'll learn Instagram's benefits for patient groups, the ways you can post on the platform and discover 8 top tips to help you improve your account in 1 hour or less!
Getting the most out of LinkedIn
In this course, you'll explore the benefits of having a LinkedIn company profile for your patient organisation. Gain 8 top tips to help you improve your account in one hour or less!
Intermediate courses
Collaborating with medical professionals
In this course, you'll learn how to foster collaborative interactions with medical professionals. Discover ways to get involved with medical education and outreach and learn how these interactions can build value for both patient groups and medical professionals alike!
Developing medical guidelines
In this course, you'll learn what medical guidelines are and why they're important for rare diseases. Discover how to develop and publish your own medical guidelines within the NICE framework now!
Drug Repurposing
In this course, you'll explore how drug repurposing can be a more efficient and cost effective way to develop treatments for rare diseases. Learn the benefits and challenges associated with drug repurposing, the important considerations to make when setting up a drug repurposing project and how patient groups can support these projects!
Collaborating with medical professionals
In this course, you'll learn how to foster collaborative interactions with medical professionals. Discover ways to get involved with medical education and outreach and learn how these interactions can build value for both patient groups and medical professionals alike!
Developing medical guidelines
In this course, you'll learn what medical guidelines are and why they're important for rare diseases. Discover how to develop and publish your own medical guidelines within the NICE framework now!
Drug Repurposing
In this course, you'll explore how drug repurposing can be a more efficient and cost effective way to develop treatments for rare diseases. Learn the benefits and challenges associated with drug repurposing, the important considerations to make when setting up a drug repurposing project and how patient groups can support these projects!
How patient groups can get involved in research and trial design
In this course, you'll learn the various stages where patient groups can get involved in research and trial design using expert patient group case studies from those who have successfully done so with their organisation.
Advanced courses
Access and reimbursement
In this course, you'll learn how patient access to new treatments is obtained and how the HTA process works. Discover where and how patient groups can contribute to the process and when patient groups should start to consider access.
Building a rare disease registry
In this course, you'll learn how to use a patient registry and apply the data contained within it to make an impact. Explore the steps involved in setting up a patient registry and the important considerations for maintaining one.
Health Utilities and How to Measure Them
In this course, you'll learn why it's important to measure health. You'll explore what a utility value is and how it's used to measure health, plus weigh the pros and cons of using different methods to obtain utility values and more!
Access and reimbursement
In this course, you'll learn how patient access to new treatments is obtained and how the HTA process works. Discover where and how patient groups can contribute to the process and when patient groups should start to consider access.
Building a rare disease registry
In this course, you'll learn how to use a patient registry and apply the data contained within it to make an impact. Explore the steps involved in setting up a patient registry and the important considerations for maintaining one.
Health Utilities and How to Measure Them
In this course, you'll learn why it's important to measure health. You'll explore what a utility value is and how it's used to measure health, plus weigh the pros and cons of using different methods to obtain utility values and more!
Utility values and QALY’s for health economic models
In this course, you'll learn how health economics is used in the health technology assessment process (HTA) to measure patients' quality of life and calculate the cost effectiveness of new treatments. Discover how utility values and QALY’s are used in health economics!