COURSE INFORMATION

DATES AVAILABLE

Course 1: 26 February 2024

Course 2: 29 July 2024

CONTACT HOURS

Two day weekend workshop (practical skills are assessed in this workshop)

MODE

Online + two day weekend workshop 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Students must be physiotherapists (registered to practise in Australia or New Zealand), with a current Australian National Police Certificate (or equivalent).

FEES

Course 1: $2850 (GST inclusive)
Course 2: $2850 (GST inclusive)
Total fees: $5700 (GST inclusive)

LOCATION

Physiotherapy Clinic,

Level 8 Centenary Building,

City East Campus

(view on map)

Course overview

The Professional Certificate in Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse is designed to support post graduate learning for physiotherapists (registered to practise in Australia or New Zealand), who conservatively manage pelvic organ prolapse. The courses cover anatomy of pelvic floor muscles and suspensory mechanisms, risk factors and aetiology of pelvic organ prolapse, assessment and conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse, theory and practice of use of pessaries in the management of pelvic organ prolapse, theory and practice of transperineal ultrasound, clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice.

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Why the Professional Certificate in Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse?

On completion of the course Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1, students should be able to:

  1. Describe the anatomy of the female pelvis in relation to pelvic organ support, the aetiology of pelvic organ prolapse and the risk factors, in particular the role of intra-abdominal pressure.
  2. Perform a digital vaginal examination to identify and assess key pelvic structures (pelvic floor muscles, pelvic organs) in relation to pelvic organ prolapse and to size a ring pessary.
  3. Describe and objectively assess pelvic organ prolapse by using POP ‘staging’ and understand the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (‘POPQ’) assessment method.
  4. Describe and accurately demonstrate the application of electrical stimulation and biofeedback as adjuncts to pelvic floor muscle training in the management of pelvic organ prolapse.
  5. Demonstrate how to apply principles of informed consent and infection control with all procedures.
  6. Use clinical reasoning and an evidence-based approach to assess and design a comprehensive management program, including pelvic floor muscle training, general exercise and lifestyle advice, for a range of presentations of pelvic organ prolapse.
  7. Choose appropriate outcome measures to assess the response to the conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse.

On completion of the course Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 2, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the theory and procedures relating to the use of pessaries to manage pelvic organ prolapse.
  2. Demonstrate practical skills in fitting the main types of pessaries and teaching patient ‘self-care’.
  3. Explain the theory and procedures relating to two dimensional real-time transperineal ultrasound in the assessment of the pelvic floor muscles and pelvic organ prolapse.
  4. Produce and interpret two dimensional transperineal ultrasound images that relate to pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor muscle training.
  5. Use clinical reasoning and an evidence-based approach to management of pelvic organ prolapse using pessaries.
  6. Explain the role of two dimensional real-time transperineal ultrasound as a biofeedback tool in comparison with other biofeedback methods in the teaching of pelvic floor muscle exercises.
  7. Use clinical reasoning and an evidence based approach to incorporate a range of biofeedback strategies, including two dimensional real time transperineal ultrasound.

Who can attend?

Students must be physiotherapists (registered to practise in Australia or New Zealand), with a current Australian National Police Certificate (or equivalent).

Applicants must provide evidence of:

  1. University level postgraduate training in the management of pelvic floor dysfunction or have undertaken at least three professional development courses in pelvic floor dysfunction. This must include: practical training in the conduct of vaginal examinations; training in the assessment and management of pelvic organ prolapse and bladder and bowel dysfunction.
  2. Having attended at least one professional development activity relevant to pelvic floor dysfunction in the past two years.
  3. A minimum of one year full time equivalent clinical experience in managing women with pelvic floor dysfunction and regular conduct of vaginal examinations subsequent to their training.
  4. Treating women with pelvic floor dysfunction in the past five years.

Course structure

The Professional Certificate in Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse is composed of two 4.5 unit courses which are delivered across one year - Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1, Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 2.

Places in these courses are limited. Please register with your payment details to secure a place.

Available courses

Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1

Aim

  • To provide physiotherapists (registered to practise in Australia or New Zealand), with advanced skills and knowledge to assess and conservatively manage pelvic organ prolapse.

Course content

  • Anatomy of the female pelvis, including the pelvic floor muscles, the pelvic organs and suspensory mechanisms;
  • Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms, aetiology, risk factors;
  • Intra-abdominal pressure generation and implications for pelvic organ prolapse, including recommendations for general exercise;
  • Surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse;
  • Infection control and informed consent principles and practice;
  • Advanced palpation skills, including assessment of pelvic floor muscles, levator hiatus, avulsion injuries and pessary sizing;
  • Assessment of pelvic organ prolapse using staging and POPQ;
  • Principles of evidence-based conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse, including lifestyle changes and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT);
  • Practice and clinical application of adjunctive therapies: biofeedback and electrical stimulation for pelvic organ prolapse management;
  • Outcome measures for assessment of pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Course delivery

This course is online with compulsory attendance at a two-day weekend workshop (practical skills are assessed in this workshop).

Course Commences 26 February 2024
Compulsory Face-to-Face Workshop 1 – 2 June 2024
Course Ends 30 June 2024

Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 2

Aims

  • To provide physiotherapists (registered to practise in Australia or New Zealand), with the advanced knowledge and skills to prescribe and fit support pessaries in the conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse.
  • To use two-dimensional real-time transperineal ultrasound for biofeedback purposes to train pelvic floor muscle function in women.

Course content

  • Theory and procedures relating to the use of pessaries in the management of pelvic organ prolapse, including risks and complications, clinical care pathway and clinical reasoning;
  • The practical skills related to the prescription and fitting of support pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse including instruction in patient self-care;
  • Two-dimensional real time transperineal ultrasound in relation to the female pelvic floor and POP with specific application to:
  • Image production, optimisation and interpretation.
  • Theory and procedures for its clinical use as a biofeedback modality, including advantages and limitations
  • Practical skills to assess post-void residual urine
  • Clinical reasoning to integrate the use of support pessaries and pelvic floor muscle training, using biofeedback methods, including two-dimensional real time transperineal ultrasound, in the conservative management of women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Course delivery

This course is online with compulsory attendance at a two day weekend workshop (practical skills are assessed in this workshop).

Course Commences 29 July 2024
Compulsory Face-to-Face Workshop 2 - 3 November 2024
Course Ends 24 November 2024

Assessment

Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1

  • Quiz - one hour 
  • Online Discussion – one post per week across six weeks
  • Case Study – 3,500 words
  • Practical assessment (conducted face to face during a two day workshop)

This course is online with compulsory attendance at a two-day weekend workshop (practical skills are assessed in this workshop).

Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 2

*Before commencing this course, students must have completed the course Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1.

  • Quiz - one hour 
  • Online Discussion – one post per week across six weeks
  • Case Study – 3,500 words
  • Practical assessment (conducted face to face in a two day weekend workshop)

This course is online with compulsory attendance at a two day weekend workshop (practical skills are assessed in this workshop).

All weekend workshops are held in Adelaide at:
UniSA, Physiotherapy Clinic, Level 8 Centenary Building, City East Campus.

 

How to apply

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Additional information

At the compulsory workshop teaching methods include peer physical examination (PPE). For information about what PPE is, why it is used and what will be asked of you, please contact the UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance.
Email alh-teachinglearning@unisa.edu.au

For further information on the certificate, please refer to the FAQ document

Download the FAQ document

During the on-line discussions and for the written assignment you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of evidence based practice. The ability to search for, critique and reference published research is assumed. Support for refreshing your skills in this area will be provided via the online course site for those who require it. It is recommended that, if this support is required, time is put aside prior to the course commencing to access the resources.

Cancellation policy

The University of South Australia reserves the right to cancel events and issue refunds.  In the event that an attendee cannot attend, a substitute is welcome to attend in their place.  No refunds will be given unless 21 days notice is given in writing prior to the date of the planned event. If less than 21 days the fee can be used for the same course at a later stage, or another course of the same value.

City East Campus

North Terrace, Adelaide