Level 1 - Introduction to Pelvic Health

Part 1 (online course): $250 course fee. 

Part 2 (2 day lab): $500.

Now accepting applications for Part 1 and Part 2 lab.

Part 1 registration and payment is now run through the Faculty of Extension by phone.  Please proceed to submit the brief application to be sent further instruction on how to register for the Part 1 course.

Part 1 - Application (dept consent form)   

This portion of this course covers theoretical knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and function of the healthy pelvis and pelvis floor and pathophysiology mechanisms of dysfunction.  Participants will gain a better understanding of the factors involved in patient assessment during the clinical history section. Prerequisites - none. 

Content Areas:

• Introduction to bladder diary
• Anatomy of the bladder, urethra, perineum, vagina and uterus
• Types of urinary incontinence
• Normal pelvic floor
• Pelvic floor dysfunction Micturition
• Medical evaluation and procedures
• Pharmacological management
• Urodynamics
• Surgery
• Mechanical devices 
• Clinical history
• Skin care and conditions
• Containment products
• Pelvic floor exercises

Vaginal and rectal exams will be demonstrated and practiced. Participants will practice on each other and should come prepared to be both clinician and patient for internal and external sessions.  Behavioral techniques and pelvic floor muscle re-education for patients with pelvic floor dysfunction will be discussed and practiced. Prerequisite - part 1.

Part 1: All online learning activities will be delivered asynchronously so students have the ability to work through the learning activities at their own pace.  Students will be provided with clear learning objectives and learning activities for each module. Students can also ask questions through an online question and answer forum which will be monitored by the course instructor. Part 2 consists of a 2-day lab. 

There are no formal assessment requirements.  Instead, students will be required to complete a knowledge check quiz before moving onto the following module. To successfully complete the course students will need to progress through all modules and knowledge checks within the duration of the course. 

To apply to Part 1 use the application link below to submit some brief contact information. Please complete and submit the application.

Once your interest in the course is approved you will be emailed information on how to register and pay for the course.  Registration and payment is conducted through the UofA Faculty of Extension.

Part 1 - Application (dept consent form)            Register for Part 2 (Lab)

Dianne MacDonald, PT.  Dianna has been a physiotherapist for 45 years, 27 of them in women’s health. She is the Rehabilitation Team leader for women’s health at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in the Lois Hole hospital for women. She developed the out-patient clinic for the treatment of incontinence in women and men. She authored “In Control Again”, a personal workbook for the re-education of the pelvic floor. She has contributed to public education and awareness of incontinence and menopause on TV and public forums. Dianna has lectured, organized and participated in many national and international conferences, courses and workshops. Recent research activities include “Managing urinary incontinence in elderly village women in Bangladesh: a feasibility study for a community exercise-based intervention.” (co-investigator) and “Physiotherapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence: Feasibility Study for a Randomized Controlled Trial of Hip External Rotation Exercise Training versus Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise Training” (principle investigator).

Upon successful completion of Part 1 and/or Part 2 participants will be issued a faculty digital certificate noting the number of educational hours.  After completion of part 1 your results will also appear on an official University of Alberta transcript for non-credit courses.