This extended programme includes a pre-course learning package, three day POGP certified workshop and optional post-workshop written assignment.

The workshop content includes: professional issues; relevant anatomy and physiology; subjective and objective assessment; theory of various treatment options and further investigations. Practical sessions include vaginal examination and the application of both biofeedback and electrical stimulation.

Programme Objectives:

• To introduce essential and current evidence-based information on the physiotherapy assessment and management of female urinary dysfunction for physiotherapists working with women with urinary dysfunction
• To provide tutor-lead practical experience of both vaginal examination and the application of techniques used in the treatment of female urinary dysfunction

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the programme the participants should be:

• able to adequately assess a woman with urinary dysfunction
• able to formulate an effective management plan
• able to apply appropriate treatment modalities
• aware of, and conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment and management of women with urinary incontinence/pelvic floor dysfunction

This three day POGP certified workshop is designed to enable the registered physiotherapist to examine and manage an individual with lower bowel dysfunction. We recommend that participants complete a number of specified learning tasks prior to attendance at the three day workshop.

The workshop content includes: professional issues; relevant anatomy and physiology; subjective and objective assessment and the theory of relevant treatment. Practical sessions include ano-rectal examination and the application of both biofeedback and electrical stimulation. Please note: vaginal examination is not included as any part of this workshop.

Programme objectives:

• To introduce essential and current evidence-based information on the physiotherapy assessment and management of lower bowel dysfunction
• To provide tutor-lead practical experience of both ano-rectal examination and the application of techniques used in the treatment of lower bowel dysfunction

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the programme the participants should be:

• able to adequately assess a patient with lower bowel dysfunction
• able to formulate an effective management plan of a patient with lower bowel dysfunction
• able to apply appropriate treatment modalities
• aware of and conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment and management of individuals with lower bowel dysfunctions

This POGP theory-only study day provides participants with the opportunity to better understand the physiotherapy assessment and management of men with lower urinary tract symptoms. It has been developed for Registered Physiotherapists who have experience in both the assessment/management of women with urinary tract symptoms and competent in the clinical skill of anorectal examination. The study day will help participants expand their existing knowledge in order to develop their scope of practice into the assessment and management of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

The study content includes: male pelvic floor anatomy and physiology; subjective and objective assessment of the man with lower urinary tract symptoms and an introduction to the management of the pre-/post-prostatectomy patient, including those with prostate cancer. A number of case study discussions will facilitate the  development of your clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of management/treatment options.

Programme objectives:

• To provide evidence based information on the prevalence, presentation and symptomatology of male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), with a specific focus on the post-prostatectomy patient
• To provide evidence based information on the physiotherapy assessment and management options for men with lower urinary tract symptoms

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the study day the participant will:

• understand the anatomy of the male pelvic floor and associated structures.
• understand the prevalence and symptoms of lower urinary tract problems, including post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.
• understand the components of both subjective and objective assessment of a man with lower urinary tract symptoms.
• understand the application of appropriate physiotherapeutic treatment modalities as part of a conservative management programme, including pre-operative prostatectomy management programmes.
• be aware of and able to conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment of men with pelvic floor dysfunction

This study day provides an introduction to physiotherapy in perinatal care and is designed for physiotherapists and physiotherapy students who have an interest in women’s health. Participants will discuss the evidence relating to health promotion in pregnancy, childbirth and beyond, in sessions that provide an overview of safe practice and special considerations for this patient group in both the management of some pregnancy-related problems and the setting up of education or exercise classes for this client group.

This course will also help those involved in teaching other professional groups/students in, for example, promotion of continence.

Programme objectives:

To provide the participant with the knowledge and skills to deliver perinatal healthcare promotion and physiotherapy care.

Learning Outcomes:

• By the end of the study day the participant will be:
• Able to understand the physiological and anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy and the immediate postnatal period
• Equipped with the knowledge to safely deliver perinatal physiotherapy care
• Aware of and conform to professional standards and national guidelines in relation to physiotherapy in perinatal care.

This MSK conditions in pregnancy course is for those seeking to expand their practice in pregnancy-related physiotherapy. It develops the learning gained in the POGP entry level course: The Childbearing Year.

This four-day, blended learning course is delivered over two Zoom sessions and a two-day weekend workshop. It covers a contemporary understanding of pain science and implications for pregnancy, special cases and obstetric red flags (a must for anyone working in obstetrics or keen to work with pregnant women), and the most up to date evidence for the assessment and treatment of pelvic girdle pain, low back pain, rectus abdominus diastasis and more.

Course goals:

• To prepare physiotherapists in being safe when working with pregnancy.
• To encourage physiotherapists to be curious with their learning, their patients and their treatment choices.
• To remind physiotherapists of the how the scientific method informs physiotherapy practice with people who are pregnant or postpartum.

Course objectives:

The course aims to equip the busy clinician with contemporary evidence informed assessment and treatment options for people presenting for physiotherapy during or following pregnancy.

Specifically, to provide education on:

• a contemporary understanding of pain and stress physiology and their implications for pregnancy physiotherapy practice;
• evidence-based tools to assess the biological, physical, & psychosocial factors that contribute to pain, impairment, and disability of the people who seek physiotherapy help, within a biopsychosocial paradigm; and
• hard and soft skills to help physiotherapists providing a service for pregnant people presenting with common musculoskeletal conditions using tools such as: education; hands on techniques; lifestyle; movement /exercise interventions within a biopsychosocial paradigm.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of all the course sections the participant will:

• understand the physiological, psychological and social influences during pregnancy relevant to the physiotherapy management of pregnancy related spinal, pelvic girdle abdominal and other musculoskeletal problems;
• be safe and aware of your role with the presentation of red flags and special considerations within pregnancy or post-partum;
• be confident in being able to adapt assessment and examination techniques of the common musculoskeletal assessment for the antenatal and postnatal woman;
• develop and adapt a range of skills for the treatment of pregnancy and postnatal related musculoskeletal conditions; and
• understand and promote the physiotherapist’s role within the multidisciplinary team.

This 2.5 day POGP certified course has been developed for Registered Physiotherapists who have completed the POGP ‘Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: female urinary dysfunction – an entry level course’ and wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of women with complex pelvic floor pain and dysfunction. It is not suitable for physiotherapy students or those with no previous experience of vaginal examination.

The workshop content includes: professional issues; pelvic anatomy; overview of conditions related to female pelvic pain and dysfunction; sexual health issues; the subjective and objective assessment of a woman with complex pelvic floor pain and dysfunction; differential diagnosis and the development of realistic goals. Practical sessions include internal (vaginal) and external mapping as well as internal (vaginal) and external manual treatment techniques.

Participants may act as both clinician and model during the practical sessions. Valid consent procedures are used throughout. A participant acting as a model may opt out of having practical techniques performed on them at any stage.

Programme objectives:

• To develop advanced assessment skills (internal-vaginal examination and external) and clinical reasoning skills for complex female pelvic floor pain and dysfunction.
• To develop advanced internal vaginal and external treatment skills for complex female pelvic floor pain and dysfunction (including manual therapy, exercise prescription and an understanding of pain management).
• To consider the current evidence base and expert opinion with respect to advanced assessment and treatment of female pelvic floor pain and dysfunction

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the programme the participants should:

• Be able to comprehensively assess a woman with complex pelvic floor dysfunction
• Be able to formulate and implement an appropriate management plan (in-line with patient-centred goals)
• Be able to implement advanced treatment techniques (including internal and external manual therapy techniques and exercise prescription) for a woman with complex pelvic floor dysfunction.
• Identify and use relevant outcome measures.
• To be aware of and conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment and management of women with complex female pelvic floor dysfunction.

Programme requirements:

This course is intended as a follow on workshop for physiotherapists who have completed the POGP ‘Physiotherapy assessment and management of female urinary dysfunction’ workshop. Applicants who have not completed this course may apply and will be considered on an individual basis. Individual consideration will be by submission of a summary of the applicant’s experience and relevant training in the clinical skills of vaginal examination including some information about relevant clinical caseload. In such cases early application is desirable. All applicants must provide details (as requested on the application form) to confirm their eligibility to attend the course.

This POGP certified study day provides participants with the opportunity to better understand pelvic organ prolapse.

The study day includes: relevant anatomy and physiology; the components of subjective and objective assessment; review of the current research and evidence for treatment; theory of conservative management and surgical treatment options and professional considerations. Please note: there are no practical sessions on this study day.

Programme objectives:

• To provide evidence-based information on the epidemiology, presentation and symptomology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
• To provide evidence-based information on the assessment and treatment options for POP, including an effective programme of physiotherapy management

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the workshop the participants should:

• understand the anatomical changes related to pelvic organ prolapse (POP), the classification of POP and the relationship to symptomology
• understand the prevalence, causes and symptoms relating to POP and the impact on quality of life
• be able to undertake a subjective and understand the components of an objective assessment of POP
• be able to deliver an appropriate conservative management programme including  pelvic floor muscle exercise and training  
• understand the role of pessaries in a conservative management programme
• have up to date knowledge on the role of surgery in POP
• be able to choose and use valid outcome measures in POP
• be aware of and conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment of women with pelvic floor dysfunction
• be able to identify what physiotherapy service is required for women with POP

This POGP short course provides participants with an opportunity to understand more about the use of pessaries in the non-surgical management of prolapse. The teaching components include the use of artificial models for pessary fitting, handling a range of pessaries and there is the option of peer to peer/self-practice of pessary sizing, fitting and removal with cube and ring pessaries.

The day includes up to date evidence for use of pessary in prolapse, advanced anatomy, assessment of prolapse, clinical reasoning to support pessary provision and group work to look at pessary use in different clinical situations. The risks and complications of pessaries will be included. The course is suitable for physiotherapists working in the public and private sector. 

Participants will be offered post-course support in the form of follow-up virtual discussion opportunities within a few months of the course completion. It is hoped to develop a POGP Pessary course Facebook resource for ongoing support. 

Attendance on the course requires the participant to have at least 5 years’ experience in pelvic health including urogynaecology and to be confident in the assessment and management of pelvic organ prolapse. 

Programme objectives:

• To provide an understanding of the implementation of evidence-based practice in the use of ring and cube pessaries for prolapse
• To provide relevant experience to be valid for inclusion in the UK Pessary Guideline  accreditation framework portfolio (further practical experience and sign-off is required for full accreditation) 

Learning outcomes: 

On completion of the day course the participants should be able to: 

• Provide experience and understanding of how to fit ring and cube pessaries 
• Learn how pessary provision might be brought into the participant’s scope of practice
• Feel confident about assessing suitability for a pessary trial 
• Understand the possible limitations and complications of pessary use and how to mitigate where appropriate 
• Understand how to take forward the pessary accreditation framework
• Be aware of and conform to professional standards in relation to the assessment of women with pelvic floor dysfunction

This course will: 

• Extend your understanding and knowledge of pessary use for prolapse
• Introduce the practical skill of sizing and fitting cube and ring pessaries
• Provide experience of self-managing pessary skills
• Align to the UK Pessary Guideline accreditation framework and form part of your portfolio for submission

This course will not: 

• Provide sufficient standalone experience to establish a pessary service on completion of the course
• Confer accredited status as a pessary practitioner
• Deliver a transferable business model for set up in NHS or Private Practice