Women's Health

This course discusses urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapses. Content outlines the types of incontinence, symptoms, diagnosis, prevalence, the causes and the risk factors. Prolapses covered are the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, cervix or uterus and the apex of the vagina. Managing these presentations includes taking a detailed medical and obstetric history, investigating risk factors, physical examination and further investigation options. Questionnaires are provided as a guide for these consultations. Changes are discussed as well as continence aids. Various treatment options including lifestyle interventions, physical therapies, bladder training, medicines and continence aids are outlined. Surgical intervention and the associated risks are considered. 

This course outlines the definition of complementary medicine according to WHO and the RACGP. Three main topics include how to approach of the topic of complementary medicine with your patients, how to review and discuss the evidence for complementary medicine with your patients, and the use of some clinical scenarios to put these strategies into practice. This course gives two scenarios of patients with urinary incontinence and with pregnancy-induced emesis. In both cases the patients prefer “natural” options rather than traditional medication. The course concludes that the general practitioner should advise patients of all potential treatments for their condition, including benefits and risks. The general practitioner should not recommend any treatment that does not have reasonable evidence for its effectiveness. 

This course commences with the description of the different phases of the menstrual cycle and natural family planning methods options. These include fertility awareness, lactational amenorrhoea and withdrawal methods, their effectiveness, advantages, disadvantages and contraindications. Unit two outlines contraceptive needs in women with intellectual disability including legal considerations. Unit three addresses the complexities for women who are culturally and linguistically diverse, including the clinical challenges associated with this group. Statistics, factors influencing contraceptive choices and GP management recommendations are included. Key points of diagnosis, investigations, management, expected response and potential side effects are suggested. This unit also lists resources including public funded interpreter information. Information is provided for GPs working with ATSI women. At the end of this course an overview of new contraceptive products is given. 

This course discusses advanced maternal age pregnancies and potential complications for the mother and the child. It examines fertility decline and possible early pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, chromosomal abnormalities and congenital malformations. Late pregnancy complications discussed include hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental complications and increased risk of caesarean sections. Possible foetal complications including low birth weight, preterm delivery and stillbirth are included and then leads into definitions of twin pregnancies and possible maternal and foetal complications. Antenatal care, timings and mode of birth are included. Unit three defines pre-eclampsia, identifying women at risk, the effects on the body, and the pathophysiology and management of this condition including the complexities of managing this condition in rural areas. Pregnancy-related skin concerns are reviewed including skin pigmentation, stretch marks and thinning of hair. Benign and sinister specific dermatoses of pregnancy are described and examples are shown. 

This course discusses advanced pregnancy complications including how the immune system may respond to possible infections in pregnancy. These infections include chlamydia, syphilis, Hep B/C, HIV, GBS, rubella and varicella, HSV, listeria, parvovirus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma and COVID- 19. Clinical management of these conditions is outlined. The causes of antepartum haemorrhage including risk factors and clinical management of this condition are outlined. Preterm birth/labour (PTL) discusses the causes, risk factors, risk reduction, assessment and management of this condition.  Vaginal/perineal tears and episiotomies, including definitions, risk factors and tear-associated morbidity are described. Episiotomy incisions are outlined and when this procedure should or should not be performed, including possible complications. The content outlines faecal and anal incontinence after pregnancy and childbirth including the definition, assessment history, examination and management of this condition. 

This course discusses genetics including information, counselling and statistics for hereditary, familial and sporadic distribution of cancer. The role of genes is also examined. Unit two looks at hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and the associated genes. Content includes referral guidelines, BRCA carrier risks, genetic counselling, identifying, and managing patients who are at high risk of hereditary cancers. Genetic testing information includes advances, testing processes and possible funding options, consent requirements, possible results and genetic variant classifications. The course covers management strategies for high-risk breast and ovarian cancer patients including psychological and lifestyle choices, communicating genetic results and informing family members. Counselling considerations including pros and cons for reproductive options, prenatal testing, pre and implantation genetic diagnosis and the role of IVF are included. 

This course focusses on eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorders. The role of the medical practitioner is discussed including advocacy for changing societal norms and healthy lifestyle perspectives and targeting at risk individuals. High risk groups are noted. The course provides screening tools to be used in conjunction with behavioural, psychological and physical signs – a comprehensive list of signs for these categories are listed. Assessment information and guides are provided including when immediate referral is appropriate. Patient engagement may be challenging and the suggested approach by the clinician is included. Treatment goals and guidelines are given including suggested multidisciplinary team involvement, medical practitioner management, pharmacotherapy and eligibility criteria. 

This course focusses on premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The course commences with definitions of early and premature menopause including risk factors and causes of spontaneous POI. Iatrogenic POI caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. Information about clinical presentations of POI, diagnosis criteria, patient history, examinations, investigations, and ongoing monitoring are listed in unit two. Health consequences may include psychological distress, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction and other health concerns. The management of POI from initiating care and coordinating care may include a multidisciplinary approach. Information is provided on managing symptoms of menopause, sexual health difficulties and psychological issues. When managing patients with this condition, consideration needs to be given regarding prevention of bone loss, osteoporosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease.