Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions seen in pharmacy practice. It occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) fails to prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the oesophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, chest discomfort, and sometimes chronic cough or hoarseness. However, what looks like reflux may actually mask something more serious, like gallstones, Helicobacter pylori infection, or even cardiac disease.

What You’ll Learn in Our Course “GORD: Pathophysiology, Differential Diagnosis and Treatment”

Our course goes beyond surface-level understanding, helping pharmacists and pharmacy students confidently distinguish GORD from its mimics while supporting patients safely and effectively. In just 20 minutes, you’ll explore:

• The pathophysiology of GORD, including factors that contribute to LES dysfunction and acid exposure

• Differential diagnosis, learning to identify conditions that mimic reflux

• Evidence-based management, covering both lifestyle and pharmacological strategies

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognise key symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and atypical presentations

• Identify risk factors, including obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, smoking, alcohol, and certain medications

• Differentiate GORD from other conditions with overlapping presentations

• Identify red flags like unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, or difficulty swallowing that require prompt medical referral

• Offer tailored lifestyle and pharmacological recommendations for symptom relief and long-term management

• Conduct effective history-taking to support safe triage and treatment

Why Take our Course “GORD: Pathophysiology, Differential Diagnosis and Treatment ”?

Pharmacists are often the first point of contact for patients with reflux symptoms. Being able to identify when it’s truly GORD and when it might be something more serious is critical to patient safety.

This course will empower you to:

• Build clinical confidence in assessing upper GI symptom.

• Strengthen your role as a trusted healthcare professional

• Refresh your understanding of latest evidence-based treatment pathways, including PPIs, antacids, H2 antagonists, and lifestyle interventions

• Provide holistic, patient-centred care that goes beyond symptom relief

Whether you’re an intern, pharmacy student, or experienced community pharmacist, this course will sharpen your diagnostic skills and deepen your understanding of one of the most frequently encountered and misunderstood conditions in pharmacy practice.

Enrol in our course “GORD: Pathophysiology, Differential Diagnosis and Treatment” today and take your GORD knowledge to the next level!