Explore the Curriculum

Pre-Operative Care Course Curriculum

Practical, evidence-based education in perioperative medicine.
Learn to develop a structured approach to pre-operative assessment, surgical risk, medication management, and the medical optimization of patients preparing for surgery.

Level 1

The Foundations

The essentials of pre-operative assessment and perioperative management.

7

Learning Modules

21

Clinical tools

Level 2

Advanced Practice

Explore complex perioperative conditions and medication management.

4

Learning Modules

21

Clinical tools

Level 1

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11 video modules and practical assessments covering the essential principles of pre-operative assessment and perioperative management. Build the knowledge and clinical confidence needed to assess risk, manage common conditions, and make informed decisions before surgery.

1

Begin with an overview of pre-operative medicine and the role of the clinician in preparing patients for surgery.

This module introduces the course objectives, competencies, and overall approach to pre-operative assessment.

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2

Learn how the characteristics of a planned procedure contribute to overall surgical risk.

Topics include:

  • Duration of surgery
  • Type of anesthesia
  • Vascular versus non-vascular surgery
  • Bleeding risk
  • Patient-specific factors that influence perioperative risk

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3

velop a structured approach to cardiovascular risk assessment before non-cardiac surgery.

Topics include:

  • Assessment of major adverse cardiovascular event risk
  • Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI)
  • Functional capacity
  • Duke Activity Status Index (DASI)
  • Appropriate use of cardiac imaging
  • Pre-operative BNP testing
  • Post-operative troponin and ECG monitoring

The module also addresses selected considerations including valvular disease, TTE assessment, endocarditis prophylaxis, TAVI, pacemakers, and ICDs.

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4

Explore the perioperative assessment of patients with respiratory disease.

Topics include:

  • Assessment of respiratory risk
  • Asthma and COPD
  • Disease history and recent exacerbations
  • Functional capacity
  • Steroid use
  • Indications for pre-operative investigations
  • Chest X-ray and pulmonary function testing
  • Identification of patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea
  • STOP-BANG assessment
  • Perioperative management of patients with OSA
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5

Learn how to approach diabetes management before, during, and around surgery.

Topics include:

  • Perioperative glycemic targets
  • Type 2 diabetes medications
  • Oral antihyperglycemic medications
  • GLP-1 medications
  • SGLT2 inhibitors
  • Insulin management
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • When specialist involvement or IV insulin may be appropriate
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6

Review the management of commonly prescribed medications in the perioperative setting.

The module addresses medications including:

  • Beta blockers
  • ACE inhibitors and ARBs
  • Calcium-channel blockers
  • Diuretics
  • Antiepileptic medications
  • Other commonly encountered medication classes

A practical medication-management resource is provided as part of the course.

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7

Not every patient can be managed through routine pre-operative assessment.

This module focuses on recognizing situations where additional expertise or medical optimization is appropriate.

Examples include patients with:

  • Significant or complex diabetes
  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Cirrhosis
  • Multiple significant medical comorbidities
  • Coronary artery disease or chronic kidney disease
  • Poor functional capacity
  • Immunosuppression
  • Chronic steroid therapy
  • Biologic or anti-TNF therapy

The module also considers when surgery should be delayed to allow appropriate medical optimization.

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Level 2

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4 advanced video modules and practical assessments covering complex perioperative conditions, anticoagulant and antiplatelet management, and specialized medication considerations. Build confidence managing higher-risk patients and more complex perioperative decisions.

1

Learn how to approach the perioperative management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy.

Topics include:

  • DOAC interruption and resumption
  • Warfarin and bridging considerations
  • LMWH management
  • Aspirin
  • Clopidogrel
  • Prasugrel
  • Ticagrelor
  • Primary versus secondary prevention
  • Patients with previous PCI or CABG
  • Patients with previous CVA or PAD

The module provides a structured approach to balancing bleeding and thrombotic risk around surgery.

View Tutorial

2

Explore the additional considerations involved in caring for patients with chronic kidney or liver disease.

Topics include:

  • Identifying patients with chronic kidney disease
  • Perioperative risk of acute kidney injury
  • Medication considerations
  • Avoiding hypotension
  • Judicious fluid management
  • Patients receiving hemodialysis
  • Appropriate timing of surgery in relation to dialysis
  • Recognizing when internal medicine consultation is appropriate

The module also considers important causes and presentations of chronic liver disease in the perioperative patient.

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3

Learn to recognize and approach anemia before surgery, including the importance of identifying patients who may benefit from further assessment and optimization before an elective procedure.

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4

Develop an approach to patients receiving chronic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapies.

Topics include:

When specialist consultation should be considered

Recognizing patients at risk for adrenal insufficiency

Perioperative management of chronic steroid therapy

Immunosuppressive medications

Methotrexate

Sulfasalazine

Hydroxychloroquine

5-ASA medications

Anti-TNF medications

Biologic therapies

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Learn More Than the Theory

Clinical Assessment Tools

Practical tools including:
Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI)
Duke Activity Status Index (DASI)
STOP-BANG

Medication Management Resources

Practical resources to help guide perioperative medication decisions across commonly encountered medication classes.

Clinical Algorithms

Evidence-based pre-operative algorithms designed to support clinical decision-making, appropriate investigations, and referral pathways.
These resources are intended to complement the educational content and help translate knowledge into clinical practice.

Consult Templates

Structured templates designed to support a consistent approach to pre-operative consultation and documentation.

How the Course Works

The course is delivered online, allowing healthcare professionals to work through the material at a time and pace that suits their practice.

11 Modules

The course consists of 11 modules across two levels, progressing from foundational principles to more advanced perioperative considerations.

Flexible Learning

The recommended timeframe for completing the course is approximately three weeks, while retaining the flexibility to work through the material according to your own schedule.

Module Assessments

Each module concludes with an assessment consisting of approximately 5–15 multiple-choice questions.
A 70% score is required to pass each module assessment.

Pre- and Post-Learning Assessment

Learners will have opportunities to assess their knowledge before and after learning. The course framework also supports future refresher assessment to reinforce knowledge and identify areas for review.

Certificate

Successful completion of the course leads to a Pre-Op Canada Certificate.

A Practical Approach to Perioperative Medicine

A Practical Approach to Perioperative Medicine
Pre-operative medicine brings together multiple areas of clinical knowledge. The challenge is often not simply knowing the individual guidelines or investigations, but understanding how to apply them to the patient in front of you.
Pre-Op Canada brings these considerations together in a structured learning experience focused on practical clinical reasoning.
Whether you are developing your foundational knowledge or looking to strengthen your approach to more complex perioperative patients, the course provides a framework for approaching pre-operative assessment with greater consistency and confidence.
Build your knowledge. Strengthen your clinical approach. Prepare your patients for surgery.

Learn more about our approach to education and meet our team.