The seventh course in the Underwriting Training Program introduces you to the most common coronary artery diseases encountered in underwriting and the way they affect mortality. This course is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and coronary artery disease.
• Part 2 focuses on angina.
• Part 3 focuses on myocardial infarction.

You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

Part 1: The Heart and Heart Disease

In Part 1, you’ll learn about the structure and parts of the heart, how the heart works, and signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease. You’ll also learn about risk factors for coronary artery disease and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the heart.
2. Explain why coronary artery disease (CAD) is also called “ischemic heart disease.”
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of CAD.
4. Interpret the diagnostic tests used to confirm a diagnosis of CAD.
5. Describe the treatment options for CAD.
6. Outline the risk factors for CAD and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Analyze a cardiac catheterization report, a key piece of evidence for underwriting CAD.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on CAD in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 2: Angina

In Part 2, you’ll learn about angina and its signs and symptoms. You’ll also learn about risk factors for angina and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Define “angina.”
2. Differentiate between the different types of angina and understand their causes.
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of angina.
4. Interpret the diagnostic tests used to confirm a diagnosis of angina.
5. Describe the treatment options for angina.
6. Outline the risk factors for angina and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Analyze key underwriting evidence to assign an appropriate rating to angina cases.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on angina in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 3: Myocardial Infarction

In Part 3, you’ll learn about myocardial infarction (MI) and its signs and symptoms. You’ll also learn about risk factors for MI and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Explain the link between coronary artery disease, angina, and myocardial infarction.
2. Define “myocardial infarction” (MI).
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of MI.
4. Explain how an MI is diagnosed.
5. Describe the treatment options for MI.
6. Outline the risk factors for MI and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge on MI in case studies with real-life scenarios.

The eighth course in the Underwriting Training Program will introduce you to the cardiac conduction system. You’ll learn about some of the disorders that affect the cardiac conduction system, such as arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation/flutter, tachycardia, premature contractions, and bradycardia) and heart blocks. You’ll also learn about their signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and aspects of these disorders that increase mortality risk.

1. Classify the anatomy, physiology, and core functions of the cardiac conduction system.
2. Identify the key disorders of the cardiac conduction system that are commonly seen in underwriting and determine their significance.
3. Describe the treatment required to control the symptoms and further progression of each disorder.
4. Identify favourable and unfavourable characteristics from the underwriting evidence and how to evaluate this information in relation to mortality impact.
5. Apply your underwriting knowledge on cardiac conduction disorders in case studies with real-life scenarios.

The ninth course in the Underwriting Training Program introduces you to one of the most critical impairments in life underwriting: diabetes. This course is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 provides an overview of diabetes and focuses on type 1 diabetes.
• Part 2 focuses on type 2 diabetes.
• Part 3 focuses on gestational diabetes.

You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

Part 1: Type 1 Diabetes

In Part 1, you’ll learn about diabetes and the three main types of this disease: type 1, type 2, and gestational.

You’ll also learn about type 1 diabetes in detail: its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Define “diabetes” and distinguish among the three main types of this disease.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
3. Interpret the diagnostic test used to confirm a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.
4. Describe the treatment options for type 1 diabetes.
5. Outline the risk factors for type 1 diabetes and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Describe the complications of type 1 diabetes that may impact mortality.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge of type 1 diabetes in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 2: Type 2 Diabetes

In Part 2, you’ll learn about type 2 diabetes: its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Define “type 2 diabetes” and be able to distinguish type 2 from type 1 diabetes.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
3. Interpret the diagnostic test used to confirm a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
4. Describe the treatment options for type 2 diabetes.
5. Outline the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Describe the complications of type 2 diabetes that may impact mortality.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge on type 2 diabetes in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 3: Gestational Diabetes

In Part 3, you’ll learn about gestational diabetes: its signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

1. Define “gestational diabetes” and understand the relationship between gestational diabetes and type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of gestational diabetes.
3. Interpret the diagnostic test used to confirm a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.
4. Describe the treatment options for gestational diabetes.
5. Outline the risk factors for gestational diabetes and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Describe the complications of gestational diabetes that may impact mortality.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge on gestational diabetes in case studies with real-life scenarios.

The tenth course in the Underwriting Training Program introduces you to the most common liver diseases and disorders encountered in life underwriting and the way they affect mortality. This course is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the liver and describes liver function tests.
• Part 2 focuses on the following common liver problems: fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly.
• Part 3 focuses on hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

Part 1: The Liver and Liver Function Tests

In Part 1, you’ll learn about the structure of the liver, how the liver works, and its main functions. You’ll also learn about liver function tests, and the favourable and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when interpreting these tests.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the liver.
2. Explain the main functions of the liver.
3. Describe the different liver function tests.
4. Identify abnormal liver function test results.
5. Outline the risk factors associated with abnormal liver function test results and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Describe treatment options after abnormal liver function test results.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge of liver function tests and elevated liver enzymes in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 2: Common Liver Problems

In Part 2, you’ll learn about the following common liver problems: fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting each of them.

1. Differentiate between fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly.
3. Interpret the liver functions tests used to confirm a diagnosis of fatty liver, cirrhosis, or hepatomegaly.
4. Identify the various treatment options for fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly.
5. Outline the risk factors for fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly, and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Describe the complications of fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly that may impact mortality.
7. Apply your underwriting knowledge of fatty liver, cirrhosis, and hepatomegaly in case studies with real-life scenarios.

Part 3: Hepatitis

In Part 3, you’ll learn about hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting each of them.

1. Differentiate between hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
2. Determine the impact of each type of hepatitis on mortality.
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of each type of hepatitis.
4. Interpret the diagnostic tests used to confirm a diagnosis of each type of hepatitis.
5. Identify the treatment options for each type of hepatitis.
6. Outline the risk factors for each type of hepatitis and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Describe the complications that could arise for each type of hepatitis that may impact mortality.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on hepatitis in case studies with real-life scenarios.

In this course, you’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. You’ll also learn about the following diseases and disorders of the esophagus: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal varices. As well, you’ll learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting these diseases and disorders.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
2. Identify the general signs and symptoms of GI problems and the tests used to diagnose them.
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of diseases and disorders of the esophagus.
4. Describe the diagnostic tests used to diagnose diseases and disorders of the esophagus.
5. Describe the treatment options for diseases and disorders of the esophagus.
6. Outline the risk factors for diseases and disorders of the esophagus, and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Describe the complications of diseases and disorders of the esophagus that may impact mortality.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on diseases and disorders of the esophagus in case studies with real-life scenarios.

In this course, you’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of the stomach. You’ll also learn about the following diseases and disorders of the stomach: dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, gastritis, and hiatal hernia. As well, you’ll learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting these diseases and disorders.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the stomach.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of diseases and disorders of the stomach.
3. Describe the diagnostic tests used to diagnose diseases and disorders of the stomach.
4. Describe the treatment options for diseases and disorders of the stomach.
5. Outline the risk factors for diseases and disorders of the stomach, and their implications for life underwriting.
6. Apply your underwriting knowledge on diseases and disorders of the stomach in case studies with real-life scenarios.

In this course, you’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of the small intestine. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting diseases of the small intestine.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the small intestine.
2. Name common diseases of the small intestine.
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
4. Describe the diagnostic tests used to confirm a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
5. Describe the treatment options for Crohn’s disease and celiac disease.
6. Outline the risk factors for Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Describe the complications of Crohn’s disease and celiac disease that may impact mortality.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on diseases of the small intestine in case studies with real-life scenarios.

In this course, you’ll learn about the anatomy and physiology of the colon. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting diseases and disorders of the colon.

1. Describe the anatomy and physiology of the colon.
2. Name common diseases and disorders of the colon.
3. Identify the signs and symptoms of diseases and disorders of the colon.
4. Describe the diagnostic tests used to diagnose diseases and disorders of the colon.
5. Describe the treatment options for diseases and disorders of the colon.
6. Outline the risk factors for diseases and disorders of the colon, and their implications for life underwriting.
7. Describe the complications of diseases and disorders of the colon that may impact mortality.
8. Apply your underwriting knowledge on diseases and disorders of the colon in case studies with real-life scenarios.

The fifteenth course in the Underwriting Training Program introduces you to the most common respiratory system diseases and disorders encountered in underwriting and the way they affect mortality. This course is divided into three parts:

• Part 1 focuses on the airways, and the diseases and disorders that affect them.
• Part 2 focuses on the lungs, and diseases and disorders that affect them.
• Part 3 focuses on sleep-disordered breathing.

You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting this disease.

Part 1: The Airways

In Part 1, you’ll learn about the respiratory system’s airways, and the diseases and disorders that affect them. Specifically, you’ll learn about asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As well, you’ll learn about their signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting each of them. This part will also discuss pulmonary function tests and how to interpret them.

1. Name the different features of the airways.
2. Explain the process of air flow.
3. Differentiate between asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
4. Describe the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, and complications of asthma, bronchiectasis, and COPD.
5. Interpret a pulmonary function test report on airway diseases and disorders.

Part 2: The Lungs

In Part 2, you’ll learn about the lungs and the following diseases and disorders: bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and tuberculosis. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics that must be considered when underwriting each of them.

1. Name the different features of the lungs.
2. Explain the role of the lungs in the respiratory system.
3. Differentiate between bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and tuberculosis.
4. Describe the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, and complications of bronchitis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and tuberculosis.

Part 3: Sleep-Disordered Breathing

In Part 3, you’ll learn about sleep-disordered breathing and the most common form of this condition: sleep apnea. You’ll also learn about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, risk factors, complications, and unfavourable characteristics of sleep apnea. As well, this part will discuss how to interpret a polysomnography (sleep study), which indicates the severity of sleep apnea.

1. Define “sleep-disordered breathing,” including “apnea” and “hypopnea.”
2. Differentiate between the three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed.
3. Interpret a polysomnography (sleep study).
4. Apply your underwriting knowledge on diseases and disorders of the respiratory system in case studies with real-life scenarios.