Training physiotherapists to use the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System

Author(s): P.M. Dall, D. Stark, S. Hagen - Pages: 36 - 44

Abstract

The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System (POP-Q) is an outcome measure used mainly by gynaecologists that has no standardized training package. It was hypothesized that one formal and several clinical training sessions would allow physiotherapists to independently complete the POP-Q.
As part of another study, a training package was designed with the aim of teaching physiotherapists how to use this outcome measure. Six  participants with a range of experience in women’s health attended a formal training session, and three or four supervised clinical training sessions. Their progress through these sessions was observed, as were instances of additional training; for example, informal discussions with colleagues, repeated viewing of the American Urogynecologic Society POP-Q training DVD and self-development of three-dimensional (3D) models. A focus group was conducted to explore the training package from the point of view of the physiotherapists, and descriptive themes were reported. The focus group revealed that the participants had successfully learned how to use the POP-Q and gained a good conceptual understanding of the system, but were not always confident when performing the examination. They would have appreciated additional clinical training, and also an opportunity for discussion with more-experienced colleagues.
Keywords: pelvic organ prolapse, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System, physiotherapists, POP-Q, training.