Courses

Explore strategies for managing mood changes during midlife in this informative presentation by Dr. Marlene Freeman, Associate Director of the Center for Women's Mental Health at Mass General. Gain valuable insights into the psychological aspects of the menopausal transition and learn effective techniques for maintaining emotional well-being. Delivered at the Mass General Midlife Women's Health Center Conference, this 20-minute talk offers expert guidance on navigating the complex emotional landscape of midlife, empowering women to take control of their mental health during this significant life stage.

Introducing your Midlife MOTYour midlife years – that is, when you’re between about 40 and 60 – will probably be a very hectic time indeed.You might have ended up in a challenging job, or you might be working hard to get one. You could be looking after the kids, your parents or possibly both. Maybe you’re putting time and energy into a whole new way of life. All of that (and more) could even be happening at once!Whatever’s going on, it’ll be keeping you very busy. That can make it difficult to look beyond your day-to-day challenges and achievements. Mid-lifers often find it hard to find the time and space to take a long-term view of where they’re headed and what they need to do to get there.But your midlife years are the perfect time to do just that. Regular work, wealth and wellbeing check-ups can help you lay the foundations for a much more focused, productive and fun journey through your 40s and 50s. And they’ll set you up for a much more colourful future too.The changes to life expectancy – up 6 years for men and 5 for women since the start of the 1980s – and the increase in the numbers of women with children who are in employment up 9% since 2000 – have added to pressures on households too. More families are having to care for both their children and their parents at a time when their free time is limited (ONS, 2019).That’s why the Open University, in collaboration with Legal & General, has created your Midlife MOT to help you.We have a wealth check-up. It’ll help you take a look at your finances, see what’s working perfectly and what needs attention.We’ve also created work and wellbeing check-ups. They’ll help you look at your general health and fitness, and your career, and make sure they’re on track too.You can study these three parts of the course in whatever order suits you.And we’ve called the whole course an MOT because, like an MOT, it’s designed to be a regular check-up. One of the things we all learn as we reach our 40s and 50s is how quickly and unexpectedly life can change. Regular Midlife MOTs will help you power through all of those changes.Enrolling on the course will track your progress and give you the opportunity to earn your OpenLearn statement of participation. Statements are not accredited by The Open University but they're a great way to demonstrate your interest in the subject and commitment to your learning and your career, and to provide evidence of continuing professional development. Once you are signed in, you can manage your OpenLearn statement of participation online from My OpenLearn. In addition, you can download and print them.Now watch the video where Bernie Hickman, Legal & General Retail’s CEO, introduces the course and explains the ways it can help you.Transcript

Discover effective strategies to enhance cognitive function and brain health during midlife in this informative 19-minute video presentation by Dr. Marie Pasinski from Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities for brain health that arise during the midlife period, and gain valuable insights into practical techniques for maintaining and improving cognitive abilities. Explore evidence-based approaches to empower your brain, including lifestyle modifications, mental exercises, and potential interventions that can support optimal brain function as you age. This presentation is ideal for individuals interested in proactive brain health management and those seeking to understand the impact of midlife changes on cognitive well-being.

Explore a heart-healthy approach to midlife in this informative presentation from the Mass General Midlife Women's Health Center Conference. Learn about the leading causes of death in the United States, with a focus on cardiovascular disease in women. Discover how cholesterol levels change after menopause and gain insights into assessing heart disease risk in individuals without known heart conditions. Delve into the importance of inflammation during the menopause transition and understand the details of a related study. Gain valuable knowledge from Emily Lau, MD, MPH, Director of the Menopause, Hormones and Cardiovascular Disease Clinic at Mass General's Corrigan Minehan Heart Center, as she shares essential information for living well during midlife.

Explore new treatment options for maintaining a healthy weight during midlife in this 20-minute video presentation by Dr. Klara Rosenquist from Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about the risks associated with midlife weight gain, various obesity treatments, and older medications used for weight management. Gain insights into developing an effective care plan to address weight-related concerns during this crucial life stage. Discover valuable information from the Midlife Women's Health Center at Mass General Hospital to support your journey towards optimal health and well-being during midlife.

Explore the intersection of digital innovation and cardiovascular health in midlife through this informative 21-minute video lecture. Delve into the importance of heart health, traditional risk factors, and clinical risk calculators. Examine the role of mobile health apps and wearables, including activity trackers, in promoting cardiovascular wellness. Discuss device retention and changing expectations in healthcare. Address the specific challenges and opportunities for women in digital health, including the gender data gap. Gain valuable insights into improving cardiovascular health through technological advancements and personalized approaches.

Explore a comprehensive webinar on supporting breastfeeding mothers at home and work, featuring UCLA nurse midwife Shadman Habibi and lactation consultant Genevieve Colvin-Thomas. Gain insights into World Breastfeeding Week, a global celebration promoting breastfeeding as a foundation for lifelong health. Discover the American Academy of Pediatrics' stance on breastfeeding, its cost-effectiveness, and UCLA Health's commitment to well-defined goals and unfettered support. Learn about the roles of nurse midwives, Baby-Friendly Hospitals, and outpatient breastfeeding support services. Understand California breastfeeding laws and employment support measures. Address common concerns such as preventing sore nipples and providing emotional and physical support to new mothers. Recognize that breastfeeding is a learning process for both mother and baby, and explore ways to offer comprehensive assistance throughout this journey.

Discover how midlife can be a powerful opportunity for growth and leadership in this inspiring TEDx talk. Challenge societal stereotypes about aging and explore three major issues faced by individuals in midlife. Learn strategies for navigating perimenopause, redefining professional growth after 40, and embracing your full potential. Gain insights from a bestselling author and Body-Business coach on how to thrive during this transformative period. Empower yourself to make a significant impact in your personal and professional life, regardless of age. Embrace the idea that midlife is not a crisis, but a call to lead and create positive change in the world.

This informative lecture by Dr. Sandy Tsao from Massachusetts General Hospital addresses the common concern of hair loss in midlife women. Learn about the causes behind midlife hair thinning and loss, and discover practical solutions and treatment options. The 29-minute presentation explores various factors that contribute to this condition and provides valuable insights on management strategies. Gain understanding about this important aspect of midlife women's health from an expert at the Midlife Women's Health Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Build relationships in maternity care and save lives Research unequivocally shows that providing a woman with the same midwife before, during and after birth, results in less preterm birth, fetal death and other complications. This course explains why we need relationship-based care in maternity services. You’ll discover how to create successful relationships, and how this produces better outcomes for the mother, baby and midwife. You’ll learn about organisational healthcare models, and what you and your local community can do to contribute to the transformation of maternity care globally. This course is designed for anyone interested in improving maternity care, including midwives, doctors, other health professionals, planners and policy makers, and consumers of maternity care (parents).

Explore a comprehensive presentation from the Mass General Midlife Women's Health Center Conference on treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause and addressing vaginal dryness. Learn from Sujata Somani, MD, Medical Director of the Mass General Midlife Women's Health Center in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as she shares expert insights on managing these common menopausal symptoms. Gain valuable knowledge about effective treatments and strategies to improve quality of life for women experiencing these conditions.

Explore the complexities and realities of Black maternal health in the United States through this thought-provoking TEDx talk by Karen Sheffield-Abdullah. Delve into the unique experiences of stress and anxiety faced by Black women during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Discover why, despite decades of research, maternal and infant outcomes for Black communities have not significantly improved. Consider novel approaches, such as culturally tailored mindfulness, to address mental and physical health challenges for Black pregnant and postpartum individuals. Learn about Dr. Karen's passion for promoting holistic, integrative strategies to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of Black women. Gain insights into the potential long-term health effects of stress, psychological trauma, anxiety, and depression on women's health and birth outcomes. Examine the bio-psycho-social benefits of self-compassion, mindfulness, and other mind-body therapies as complementary treatments to conventional modalities. Join Dr. Karen, a certified nurse-midwife, mindfulness instructor, mental health advocate, and mother of four, as she shares her vision for creating a society where Black women are seen, heard, and valued.

Learn how to identify addiction, manage recovery, and lead change On this course, you’ll receive an overview of approaches to addiction treatment, from detoxification to harm reduction and addiction recovery. Learning from real life examples, you’ll hear from experienced practitioners around the globe and be introduced to addiction assessment tools. You’ll also learn how to conduct screening and brief interventions, and administer naloxone in the case of an overdose. This course focuses on approaches to drug and alcohol addiction treatment for nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is suitable for those with some knowledge, as well as those with no prior knowledge or qualifications in addiction. Improve addiction treatment provision in your practice The addiction treatment approaches and tools in this course cover the whole lifespan, from expectant mothers to older people. You’ll discover how to safeguard the health and wellbeing of people using substances and explore the role of family members. Ultimately, you will be able to enhance your own service provision with regard to addiction treatment. You’ll discuss the practicalities of providing specific services and consider the role of leadership in implementing new policies and practices in addiction treatment and recovery. Learn from leading experts in addiction treatment This course is delivered by global experts in addiction from Trinity College Dublin, practising addiction nurse and midwife experts, and harm reduction specialists. Your course creators are pioneers of a new Healthy Addiction Treatment (HAT) recovery model, and you’ll learn more about HAT during the course. The intention of this course is to improve knowledge of addiction treatment approaches in healthcare, and in the longer term, create more addiction specialists. This addiction treatment course is aimed at nurses, midwives, and allied health and social care professionals. No prior experience or qualifications in addiction are required. The course aims to widen understanding of addiction recovery in the sector.

Not interested in or can't afford retirement? Learn how to move beyond your midlife career and into a new phase of work that provides purpose and a paycheck.

Learn about building better bones after menopause in this informative 20-minute talk by Dr. Joy Tsai from Massachusetts General Hospital. Discover essential strategies for maintaining bone health during and after menopause, understand the physiological changes that affect bone density, and explore preventative measures and treatments available. This presentation from the Midlife Women's Health Center provides valuable insights for women navigating this important health transition.

This informative video features Alisa Pascale, DNP, WHNP-BC, discussing treatment options for the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, which includes symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and various therapeutic approaches available to address these common menopausal concerns. Discover valuable insights from the Midlife Women's Health Center at Massachusetts General Hospital on managing these conditions that affect many women during menopause.

Learn about treatment options for knee pain and ways to improve function in this 17-minute educational video featuring Dr. Joanne Borg-Stein from Massachusetts General Hospital. Discover effective strategies to manage knee discomfort and enhance mobility through expert medical guidance. The presentation covers various approaches to knee pain management that can help improve quality of life for those suffering from this common condition. For more information about women's health resources, visit the Midlife Women's Health Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Learn about effective strategies for managing menopausal symptoms in this informative presentation by Dr. Jan Shifren, MD. Discover various treatment options for common midlife symptoms experienced by women, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse. Explore a range of solutions from lifestyle modifications and non-prescription products to prescription medications including hormone therapy. Gain valuable insights on how to optimize your health and overall quality of life during the menopausal transition in this comprehensive talk from March 10, 2025.

Nursing programs partner with a variety of clinical practice settings to provide student nurses expert clinical training. This essential partnership assures students are prepared to provide quality patient care. Within these practice sites, staff registered nurses (RNs) provide nursing students rich clinical learning experiences within a safe yet challenging learning environment. These RNs are identified as Nurse Preceptors. While many clinical practice sites have programs that prepare staff nurses to precept new employees, most programs do not include specific preparation for working with nursing students. This Preceptor Development Program is designed to prepare registered nurses to construct high quality, rich, and effective learning experiences. Staff RNs who participate in preceptor development programs report more confidence and satisfaction in the preceptor role. This effect translates to the student’s learning as well. Students who have well prepared clinical preceptors describe effective and valued learning experiences. Topic areas covered in these modules include: 1. Preceptor roles and responsibilities 2. Assessing learner needs and learning styles 3. Clinical teaching 4. Critical thinking and clinical decision making 5. Legal issues in preceptorships 6. Communication and conflict resolution 7. Managing learning experiences of culturally and generationally diverse students Verified learners may receive 8 continuing education units (CE's) from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The University of Maryland School of Nursing is an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Explore a thought-provoking conference talk on cybersecurity strategies and bug bounty programs. Delve into the complexities of hacker motivation, perverse incentives, and the challenges faced by organizations in implementing effective security measures. Learn about real-world examples from Microsoft and the U.S. military, and discover practical solutions for improving cybersecurity processes. Gain insights on balancing security efforts, understanding the labor market for hackers, and implementing smarter security practices. Engage with topics ranging from midlife crises to armored vehicle chases, all while examining the evolving landscape of cybersecurity and bug bounty programs.