CODE | PHT2002 | ||||||||
TITLE | Physiotherapy for Pelvic Health | ||||||||
UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
DEPARTMENT | Physiotherapy | ||||||||
DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers the main topics related to Women’s and Men’s Pelvic Health relevant to the physiotherapist, through lectures, discussions and tutorials. The study of the theoretical background is used as a foundation to build clinical reasoning skills using a problem-based learning approach. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to introduce the student of physiotherapy to the field of pelvic health that incorporates both women's and men's health. It offers students a range of opportunities to learn and discuss an evidence based approach to clinical reasoning through the ability to identify, analyse and interpret the current best available evidence and apply this to the rehabilitation and promotion of Pelvic Health using appropriate assessment and therapeutic intervention skills. The unit aims to prepare the student for clinical practice in the area of pelvic health in the final year of the programme and in post-graduate professional practice. It builds on the study-units already covered earlier in the course programme, that include anatomy, physiology and physiotherapy skills. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recognise and define the role of the physiotherapist in Women’s and Men’s health; - illustrate the knowledge on basic anatomy; physiology of hormonal control on the musculoskeletal features of the pelvis, abdomen, vertebral column and the female and male genital systems; - demonstrate and illustrate an understanding of the mechanisms of back and pelvic pain in females and males in different circumstances (Pelvic girdle pain, thoracic and LBP, coccydinia, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle weakness, breast conditions, myalgias, gestational DM); - describe the pathology of osteopenia and osteoporosis and differentiate between the stages of osteoporotic disease and relate this to the role of the physiotherapist; - describe and illustrate the common pathologies of the female reproductive system and related surgical and rehabilitation procedures- Demonstrate understanding of the mechanisms of continence, incontinence, erectile dysfunction and pelvic rehabilitation in female and male patients; - administer an effective and safe exercise programme to attain health and fitness for women during pregnancy and post partum, due to female and male pelvic pain, Pre and post surgery intervention (prostatectomy, hysterectomy, pelvic floor repair). 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - applying knowledge of the physiological, physical, emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and psychological changes that occur in the female and male developmental journey; - identify the role of the physiotherapist and physiotherapy treatment in the management of the above-mentioned conditions; - evaluate conditions that require early referral to the physiotherapist; - plan and justify physiotherapy intervention in a patient following gynaecological surgery. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Torborg, J. (2019) Your Pelvic Health Book : A Guide to Pelvic Floor Awareness, Bladder Health, Bowel Health, Sexual Health, and Changes throughout Your Lifetime for People with a Vagina and/or Uterus. Independently Published, US. - Kari, B. (2014) Evidence-Based Physical Therapy for the Pelvic Floor: Bridging Science and Clinical Practice, 2nd Ed.,Saunders, US. - Siegel, A.L, (2014) Male Pelvic Fitness: Optimizing Sexual & Urinary Health Paperback, Rogue Wave Press, US. Supplementary Readings: - Mantle, J., Haslam, J.,Barton, S. (2004) ‘ Physiotherapy in Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2nd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, US. - Bourcier, A., edited by; McGuire E.J & Abrams P. (2004) ‘Pelvic Floor Disorders’, Elsevier Saunders. - Sapsford, R., Bullock-Saxton, J & Markwell, S. (2006) ‘Women’s Health – A textbook for physiotherapists’ W.B Saunders. Relevant peer-reviewed publications and notes provided by the lecturers. |
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STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Ind Study, Group Learning and Tutorials | ||||||||
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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LECTURER/S | Anabel Sciriha Carolyn Sultana |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |