In this two day in-person course you will learn how to assess patients using internal examinations, both vaginal and rectal.

 

Combine INTERNALS with INTEGRATION to complete the PART A: Pelvic Health Fundamentals Certificate.

Two days in-person with courses run in either Kinloch or Auckland.

In this two day in-person session, you will learn why pelvic health therapy is the first recommended conservative treatment internationally for many pelvic health conditions, including many maternal birth injuries. To assess and treat these injuries and conditions, internal examinations are required in most cases.

 

The focus of this weekend is learning how to assess patients using internal examinations (vaginal and rectal). Assessment of the pelvic floor muscles, levator ani avulsions, coccyx injuries, prolapses, and maternal birth injuries will be taught using the latest international guidelines. Peer-to-peer learning is used to maximize your ability to learn new skills. Three practical sessions during the course are provided for you to practice your assessment and treatment skills in a supportive environment.

 

NOTE: At the end of this course you will be able to call yourself a pelvic health professional.

Females, males, and gender diverse registered health professionals (physiotherapists, osteopaths, nurses, gynaecologists, etc.) in good standing with their regulatory body are invited to take part in this course.

Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside her 33 years of clinical practice, Melissa has extensive post graduate qualifications including a PhD in Bioengineering, research Masters from The University of Melbourne, a Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulations from Canada, and Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy in both Pelvic Floor and Acupuncture. She also has a Certificate in Health Science, is registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand under Specialist Scope of Practice and is a long-term member of Physiotherapy New Zealand. She is the current President of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health.

As this is a practical course which involves internal examinations, participants must be willing and able to have vaginal and rectal examinations done on them by fellow attendees (if appropriate). By using peer-to-peer learning, participants gain vital learning on how it feels to be a patient, as well as a health professional. This course allows people of all genders an opportunity to learn from each other and gain vital, practical clinical skills.

We will ensure the environment is private and supportive. Informed consent is discussed in detail on the course, and you will have the ability to consent or not consent to internal examination at the time of the assessments.

 

If you have your period, internal examinations can still be completed. Low risk pregnancies are not a contraindication to internal examinations. If you are pregnant, please let us know on the day of the course before the practical sessions.

Morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea will be provided. If you have specific food requirements or allergies, we recommend you bring your own food with you.

If the course is held at Melissa's home in Kinloch, Ripley and Strider, our two black labs, are ready, willing and able to provide cuddles as a key ingredient to a successful learning experience. It is recommended that you don't wear white and don't take a ball from Strider if he offers you one 🙂. If having dogs present on the course in the main teaching room is going to be an issue for you, I suggest doing the course in a different location.

Three weeks before the course, we will be in touch with details of pre-reading to be completed prior to the course.

 

$895 including GST for the two-day in-person course.

 

Includes: in-person weekend with morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea; and completion certificate for 16 hours of CPD once all evaluations completed.