Short Courses in Continence and Women's Health
Overview
The School of Physiotherapy offers six short courses in the area of Continence and Women's Health, in conjunction with the Postgraduate Program in Clinical Physiotherapy. The first two courses are directly related to the unit Pelvic Floor Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 650, and provide participants with the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of pelvic floor dysfunction. These courses will be taught by internationally recognised Continence and Women's Health Physiotherapists Judith Thompson, Sue Boxer and Helena Frawley, who will also be joined by experienced local physiotherapy clinicians and educators.
The next four courses are directly related to the unit Human Continence 650, and will be taught by a number of expert practitioners, including Dr Wendy Bower.
All short courses will be held at the School of Physiotherapy, Bentley Campus, Curtin University and will run from 8:30am to 4:00pm each day. Morning tea will be provided but participants should supply their own lunch.
Participants please note that the practical components of the Pelvic Floor short courses include the internal examination of the pelvic floor with participants acting as models for each other.
Course 1: Structure, Function and Assessment of the Pelvic Floor
Cost: $1250.00
This four day course covers the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of the pelvic floor, the application of motor control theory, and exercise physiology principles to pelvic floor function and dysfunction. Participants will have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a thorough and safe assessment of the pelvic floor using interview, observation, palpation, pressure sensors, electromyography and real-time ultrasound.
Physiotherapists with limited continence and women's health experience are strongly encouraged to complete this course before undertaking the Physiotherapy Management of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction course.
2008 Course Dates
- February 9th - 13th 2008 (Saturday - Wednesday)
Course 2: Physiotherapy Management of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Cost: $1250.00
This four day course addresses the goals of pelvic floor musculoskeletal rehabilitation for conditions such as bladder and bowel dysfunction, disorders of pelvic organ and pelvic girdle support, pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction. Development, implementation and the use of outcome measures for pelvic floor musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs will also be presented.
2008 Course Dates
- March 26th - 30th 2008 (Wednesday - Sunday)
Course 3: Childhood Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction
Course Lecturer: Dr Wendy Bower
Cost: $625.00
2008 Course Dates
- May 3rd and 4th 2008 (Saturday, Sunday)
Course 4: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Assessment and Management of Bladder and Bowel Disorders
Lecturer: Panel of Clinicians from medical, surgical, nursing and psychology disciplines.
Cost: $315.00
2008 Course Dates
- 14 June 2008 (Sat)
Course 5: Urogenital Dysfunction in Men
Lecturer: Jessica Yin (Urologist) and Judith Thompson
Cost: $315.00
2008 Course Dates
- 15 June 2008 (Sun)
Course 6: Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in the Aged
Lecturer: TBC
Cost: $315.00
2008 Course Dates
- 17 June 2008 (Tues)
Entrance Requirements
A bachelor degree, or equivalent, in physiotherapy from a recognised tertiary institution.
How to Apply
All applicants must download and complete the 
Short Course Application and Payment Form [43.1 kb]
Career Advancement Opportunities
The increasing evidence of the value of physiotherapy in the area of continence and women's health has increased the demand for skilled clinicians in the private and public sector. Recognition of the impact and interaction of pelvic floor dysfunction with other areas of physiotherapy practice - musculoskeletal, sports, respiratory, gerontology - has expanded the role of the continence and women's health physiotherapy and further increased demand on the limited pool of continence and women's health physiotherapists.
Contact
For specific information regarding the course content, please contact Anne Andrews at .