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Career Progression


Welcome!

Pelvic Health Physiotherapists work in both the NHS and Private Health sectors. It is an area of physiotherapy where you will apply all of the areas of your knowledge from your undergraduate degree such as musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurology and combining this with the obstetrics and gynaecology, colorectal and urology areas of medicine.

 

You will work closely with your patients/clients, aiming to understand their most personal concerns about their body. It is an area where you will need to ask challenging questions in an open way to obtain virtual information to create an appropriate treatment plan. Being able to develop this enhanced therapeutic relationship with patients is why many physiotherapists choose this career path.

 

You will need to develop new skills in examination, understanding how to assess the abdomen, vagina and anorectal area. This will mean you will need to develop excellent skills in consent, trust and infection control procedures. The student who is keen to explore anatomy, utilise their hands on assessment skills will be keen to learn how to do this.

 

There are increasingly more career and learning opportunities in the field of pelvic health, and POGP want to encourage and nurture career and learning progression and potential. Below we signpost some areas POGP can facilitate in career progression in the ever growing and exciting world of pelvic health!

 

 

“It has been very satisfying over the years to see rotational staff who step into pelvic health with some trepidation for the first time, develop and shine. As an educator I enjoy teaching and supporting staff to get the best outcomes during their rotation. The greatest joy has been to see staff decide to specialise in pelvic health and become great clinicians with such passion. This is what a well supported rotation can do. Many staff simply don't get the advantage of exposure to pelvic health or are unsure what it involves. I would encourage them to find out more as it can bring something to every speciality”.
 

Shirley, Pelvic Health Team Lead and POGP Member

Newly Qualified and Junior Physiotherapists

Newly qualified physiotherapists can still benefit from the student rate of POGP membership of only £26 for the first two years after qualification. You are not eligible to join the searchable directory as a student member to allow time to build your skills and confidence in the area of pelvic health.

If you are new to pelvic health and are about to start on a pelvic health rotation when POGP have written a fantastic document, Introduction to Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy: An Educational Resource, a 29 page document outlining key information for the physiotherapist new to pelvic health.
 

Educational Resource Introduction to POGP

 

Specialising in Pelvic Health

 

POGP encourages those in pelvic health or those with a clinical interest to maintain affiliate membership of POGP. You may choose to do some or all of the following in order to contribute to your career development.

  • Submit your details into our searchable directory
  • Apply for our bursaries and awards
  • Network regularly through our social media channels
  • Complete research
  • Submit case studies, articles or research to our POGP journal
  • Join one of our sub-committee roles
  • Work towards full membership, utilising the mentor support
  • Complete regularly peer reviewed POGP courses

 

POGP Short Courses

As a professional network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, POGP delivers a number of short courses developed for Physiotherapists who wish to acquire or develop their knowledge and skills in various specialist clinical areas. POGP courses are facilitated by tutors, who are advanced practitioners with specific expertise/interest in the particular topic addressed in each of the courses they facilitate. The tutoring, as well as the course content, format and delivery are all subject to a quality assurance process, which is overseen by the Education Sub-committee and ultimately the Executive Committee of the organisation.

As part of the quality assurance process each course is reviewed and evaluated every 3 years. Our tutors are of the highest standard and we are very proud of the level of expertise and training they provide on our courses. 

The courses available within the programme at present are as follows, or our list of current courses can be see HERE.

 

Pregnancy related Physiotherapy: the childbearing year – an entry level course

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 objective

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
 

Pregnancy related Physiotherapy: assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions during and after pregnancy

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.
 

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: female urinary dysfunction – an entry level course

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

  1. 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
  2. To provide tutor led practical experience of both vaginal examination and the application of techniques used in the treatment of female urinary dysfunction (Ref: CSP PD092)

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
 

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: lower bowel dysfunction – an entry level course

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

  1. To introduce essential and current evidence-based information on the physiotherapy assessment and management of lower bowel dysfunction
  2. To provide tutor-led practical experience of both ano-rectal examination and the application of techniques used in the treatment of lower bowel dysfunction (ref: CSP PD092)

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 men and women with lower bowel dysfunction
 

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: pelvic organ prolapse – advancing your practice

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

  1. To provide evidence-based information on the epidemiology, presentation and symptomology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
  2. 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
 

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: male lower urinary tract symptoms – advancing your practice

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

  1. 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
  2. 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

 

Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: managing complex female pelvic pain and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction – advancing your practice

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

  1. To develop advanced assessment skills (internal-vaginal examination and external) and clinical reasoning skills for complex female pelvic floor pain and dysfunction.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.

 

 

Progression to Full POGP Membership

As a professional organisation POGP supports Chartered Physiotherapists working in the specialty of pelvic health, obstetrics and gynaecology providing good practice advice; mentorship and educational opportunities. Full membership eligibility is provided by three routes to promote excellence and quality in this specialist area of physiotherapy.

The candidate must provide evidence of Physiotherapy experience in one or more of the specialty areas of male and female bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction and pain; pre and post-natal musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain; breast care, oncology.

 

Membership routes:

1.    Completion of a POGP recognised post-graduate course (PG certificate)

Demonstrate successful completion of one of the POGP post-graduate courses [Physiotherapy for Women’s Health or Continence for Physiotherapists both worth 60 credits] at present with the University of Bradford.

A short personal statement should be included to demonstrate how you have developed your skills in assessment and patient management in the specialty of pelvic, obstetric, and

gynaecological physiotherapy (500 words) accompanied by evidence of completion of the course (title of course and date attended) and the membership number for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

International Physiotherapists who do not reside or work in the UK and are not a member of the CSP may still apply for full membership but must have proof of membership to their own country’s recognized physiotherapy governing body.

 

2.    An academic award at Masters or PhD level in a relevant topic area

Demonstrate successful completion of a Masters or PhD in a relevant topic area (as above).

A short personal statement should be included to demonstrate how you have developed your skills in assessment and patient management in the specialty of pelvic, obstetric, and gynaecological physiotherapy (500 words) accompanied by evidence of completion of the degree and the membership number for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. International Physiotherapists who do not reside or work in the UK and are not a member of the CSP may still apply for full membership but must have proof of membership to their own country’s recognized physiotherapy governing body.

 

3.    Portfolio of Evidence

(Please note: portfolio submission is paused until the data from the membership survey has been analysed, and the process for submission is currently under review. 01/10/2023)

Submission of a portfolio of evidence of practice. This is a route for full membership to POGP by successful submission of a Portfolio of Evidence.

The portfolio must evidence Physiotherapy experience in one or more of the specialty areas of male and female bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction and pain; and pre and post-natal musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain.

To support the candidate through the portfolio submission process, POGP offers mentorship to candidates on request.

Portfolio Criteria:

a) The candidate evidences they are a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in the application form.

b) Submission of an anonymised portfolio of evidence related to the specialty area which must include the following:

Anonymised Curriculum Vitae (with issued unique reference number)

  1. Detailing clinical experience, route into this specialty and including the candidate’s current work role.
  2. Personal Statement (500 words): This should identify how the candidate has developed skills in assessment and patient management in the specialty of pelvic, obstetric, and gynaecological physiotherapy in the last two years.
  3. Testimonial on evidence-based practice (1500 words): This should demonstrate how the candidate uses evidence- based practice to contribute to the quality of his or her practice; service delivery and how it has benefited the service user in the past two years. This should clearly reflect in-depth understanding and experience in pelvic, obstetric and gynaecological physiotherapy and should include information regarding how evidence- based practice will benefit the candidate’s future practice in the specialty.
  4. Evidence: POGP asks that five original, detailed pieces of evidence to support the candidate’s testimonial of evidence-based practice (for example case studies, audit, service development, PREMS, reflective account) are submitted. All evidence must be to CSP Standards of Professional Practice; within Scope of Practice; retaining standards of confidentiality and anonymised. Further understanding on activities that count towards continuous professional development can be found on The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) website.

 

International Physiotherapists who do not reside or work in the UK and are not a member of the CSP may still apply for full membership but must have proof of membership to their own country’s recognized physiotherapy governing body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Documents

(Please note: portfolio submission is paused until the data from the membership survey has been analysed, and the process for submission is currently under review. 01/10/2023)

Membership routes to POGP

Criteria for Membership of POGP

Portfolio of Evidence to Full Membership

Portfolio of Evidence Application Form  

Portfolio Evaluation Process  

Educational Resource Introduction to POGP

 

Want more information?

POGP is always here for you!

A great place to look for more information is in our resources section. If you cannot find what you are looking for then you can contact us via our contact us section, by email info@thepogp.co.uk or through our Twitter and Facebook social media channels.

 

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Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: Female urinary dysfunction - an entry level course: Romford - Fully Booked