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
Harnessing the power of social media
Watch this top tip video guide to navigate social media platforms with confidence! Learn more about the different platforms and discover top tips for creating engaging content that yields meaningful results on them.
How to select appropriate patient-reported outcome measures and advocate for these to researchers
In this course, you'll learn what patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are and discover how to decide the most relevant patient-reported outcome measures for your patients. Explore how to discuss patient-reported outcome measures with researchers, and advocate for the best ones for your patient community now!
Imposter Syndrome: How to turn your inner critic into your biggest cheerleader
If you’re grappling with self-doubt or imposter syndrome – you are not alone! Enroll now to learn actionable strategies and techniques that will help boost your confidence and help you manage your imposter syndrome. It's time to turn self-doubt into a motivational force.
Harnessing the power of social media
Watch this top tip video guide to navigate social media platforms with confidence! Learn more about the different platforms and discover top tips for creating engaging content that yields meaningful results on them.
How to select appropriate patient-reported outcome measures and advocate for these to researchers
In this course, you'll learn what patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are and discover how to decide the most relevant patient-reported outcome measures for your patients. Explore how to discuss patient-reported outcome measures with researchers, and advocate for the best ones for your patient community now!
Imposter Syndrome: How to turn your inner critic into your biggest cheerleader
If you’re grappling with self-doubt or imposter syndrome – you are not alone! Enroll now to learn actionable strategies and techniques that will help boost your confidence and help you manage your imposter syndrome. It's time to turn self-doubt into a motivational force.
Introduction to prenatal screening
In this course, you'll learn what prenatal testing is and the different types of tests that are
involved in the process. Explore the benefits and risks of prenatal testing and hear a case study from a patient group leader who has experience with prenatal testing.
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!