Pelvic Health Physiotherapy: a focus on inclusivity and the LGBTQIA+ community

Pelvic health physiotherapy involves the assessment and management of conditions including bladder and bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and pain. These conditions are found throughout the population, including in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Research has shown people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience greater barriers to healthcare as well as suboptimal care. This extends to physiotherapy where research has shown patients who identify as LGBTQIA+ may experienced judgement and assumptions that make them feel unsafe.

This lecture will focus on what you can do as a continence and pelvic health physiotherapist to ensure all patients have a more positive experience and feel supported, acknowledged and respected for who they are.

Presenter

Dr Megan Ross, APAM, is an APHRA registered physiotherapist and postdoctoral researcher at The University of Queensland, Australia. Megan received a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (with First Class Honours) and a PhD in Physiotherapy from The University of Queensland. Megan is the inaugural Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Panel and has served on the State Branch Committee for the Musculoskeletal Special Interest Group since 2021. Megan practiced in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinics prior to undertaking her PhD research to characterise the clinical presentation of tibialis posterior tendinopathy. Megan has published 20 journal articles and is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the RECOVER Injury Research Centre, focusing on access to and utilisation of health care, specifically in relation to marginalised populations, digital health and consumer perspectives. Dr Ross leads a program of research in the area of LGBTQIA+ experiences of, and access to healthcare with a focus on physiotherapy and allied health. Megan has received over $50, 000 AUD in funding to co-design, implement and evaluate an educational resource to improve physiotherapists cultural safety for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Host

LGBTQIA+ Advisory Panel and Women's, Men's & Pelvic Health National Group

Date of Live Event

5/6/2023

CPD Hours

1 Hour

Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.