Professional Diploma of Women's Health (Online) - Medicine

Delivered by leading experts in the field, the online Professional Diploma of Women’s Health equips medical professionals with a comprehensive understanding of women’s health issues commonly seen in primary care. Exploring medical conditions and concerns pertinent to female patients, the certificate course will enable you to provide high-demand services and better meet your patients’ needs.

As consultations with female patients account for over 56 per cent of primary care consultations in Australia, the gender-specific health needs of women are a significant part of day-to-day work in general practice. This Professional Diploma course offers subspecialist-level knowledge in women’s health issues, covering crucial areas such as vaginal prolapse, incontinence, complementary medicine, family planning, pregnancy complications, eating disorders, familial risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and premature ovarian insufficiency.

This course is the final stage of the Professional Diploma of Women's Health. The education pathway is: Foundation Certificate of Women's Health, Professional Certificate of Women's Health, Advanced Certificate of Women's Health, and Professional Diploma of Women's Health. You might also be interested in the Advanced Workshop of Intrauterine Systems.

Entry Requirements and Course Requisites

The Professional Diploma of Women's Health is tailored for medical doctors who wish to build on the knowledge gained from the Professional Certificate and Advanced Certificate of Women’s Health and want to improve patient outcomes by managing common women’s health issues in general practice. There will be a greater focus on difficult and complex cases in this Professional Diploma. Submission and analysis of medical practitioners’ own cases are a key feature of this course.

The courses are suitable for physicians and degree-qualified medical practitioners, including registered nurses. The prerequisite for this Professional Diploma course is the successful completion of the HealthCert Advanced Certificate of Medical Women’s Health (or a qualification deemed equivalent) and HealthCert also highly recommends successful management of at least 30 cases of women’s health issues prior to enrolment.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Professional Diploma courses are at the highest level at HealthCert, so there are additional professional requirements and submission of online cases. A literature review must also be completed of journal articles.

Professionally recognized qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Course Contents

• Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
• Complementary medicines
• Family planning (advanced 2)
• Pregnancy complications (advanced 1)
• Pregnancy complications (advanced 2)
• Familial risk of breast and ovarian cancer
• Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
• Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

Course Participants Will:

• Participate in discussion boards and evaluate women’s health cases.
• Receive access to relevant research/readings in the field.
• Access video presentations from experts in the field with the opportunity to replay.
• Participate in webinars with experts and professional colleagues.
• Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review.
• Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.

Course Outline

Module 1: Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse

In this module, urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapses are covered, with diagrams demonstrating how they can occur. The module also looks at the types of incontinence, symptoms, diagnosis, prevalence, the causes and risk factors. Prolapses covered are the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, cervix or uterus and the apex of the vagina. Lifestyle prevention treatment options are discussed including pelvic floor exercises. Managing these presentations includes taking a detailed medical and obstetric history, and 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 of surgical intervention are considered.

Module 2: Complementary Medicines

The definition of complementary medicine according to WHO and the RACGP are outlined in this module. Three main topics in this module 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. A feature of this module 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 module concludes that the GP should advise patient of all potential treatments for their condition, including benefits and risks. The GP should not recommend any treatment that does not have reasonable evidence for its effectiveness.

Module 3: Family Planning (Advanced 2)

This module builds on the knowledge learned in the advanced certificate. It starts 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 and disadvantages and contraindications. Unit 2 outlines contraceptive needs in women with Intellectual Disability including legal considerations. Unit 3 addresses the complexities for women who are culturally and linguistically diverse, including the clinical challenges associated with this group. Information includes 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 for GPs working with ATSI women is also featured. At the end of this module an overview of new contraceptive products is given.

Module 4: Pregnancy Complications (Advanced 1)

Unit one outlines the considerations for 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. The definitions of twin pregnancies and possible maternal and foetal complications are listed. 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. The complexity of managing this condition in rural areas is discussed. Finally benign 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.

Module 5: Pregnancy Complications (Advanced 2)

This module lists possible infections and how the immune system in pregnancy may respond. These 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. Unit 2 defines and outlines the causes of antepartum haemorrhage. It includes risk factors and clinical management of this condition.

Preterm birth/labour (PTL) is the topic of unit 3 and discusses the causes, risk factors, risk reduction, assessment and management of this condition. Unit 4 describes vaginal/perineal tears and episiotomies, including definitions, risk factors and tear-associated morbidity. The types of episiotomy incisions is described and when this procedure should or should not be performed. Possible complications are included. The last part of this unit looks at faecal and anal incontinence after pregnancy and childbirth; definition, assessment history, examination and management of this condition.

Module 6: Familial Risk of Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Genetics are discussed in unit one 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. Referral guidelines, BRCA carrier risks, genetic counselling, identifying and managing patients who are at high risk of hereditary cancers are addressed. Genetic testing information including advances, testing processes and possible funding options are outlined in unit 3. This includes consent requirements, possible results and genetic variant classifications. The module moves on to management strategies for high risk breast and ovarian cancer patients including psychological and lifestyle choices for high risk women, communicating genetic results and informing family members. Counselling considerations are reproductive options, prenatal testing, pre and implantation genetic diagnosis and the role of IVF, and their pro’s and con’s.

Module 7: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

This module describes 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 module provides screening tools to be used in conjunction with behavioural, psychological and physical signs – a comprehensive list of signs for these categories are listed. The module then provides assessment information and guides and when immediate referral is appropriate. Patient engagement may be challenging and the suggested approach by the clinician is included. At the end of this module, treatment goals and guidelines are given including suggested multidisciplinary team involvement, medical practitioner management, pharmacotherapy and eligibility criteria.

Module 8: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)

In the first unit of this module definitions of early and premature menopause are given. Risk factors and causes of spontaneous POI are listed. Iatrogenic POI, caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery is mentioned. Information about clinical presentations of POI, diagnosis criteria, patient history, examinations, investigations and ongoing monitoring are listed in unit 2. Health consequences may include psychological distress, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction and other health concerns. Finally, 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.

Course Delivery

This is a fully online course. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience.

The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within three months of the exam opening date. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.

There are eight units in a HealthCert Professional Diploma course. The course is delivered over 15 weeks with 12 weeks of teaching followed by three weeks for revision and final examinations. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations. You will also receive valuable 12 months web-based support from the speakers and participate in regular online learning sessions with the opportunity to ask any questions you might have as you implement your learning. 

A clinical audit is a mandatory element of this professional diploma. The clinical audit will guide you to reflect on your patient management, prior to and after, increasing your knowledge through your studies at HealthCert. You will need to submit your own cases as part of the audit. If you no longer see any cases in this field, the course offers an early exit point with the Complex Certificate.

 audit. If you no longer see any cases in this field, the course offers an early exit point with the Complex Certificate.

The Course Includes:

• All presentation slides available for download.
• Access to additional learning resources, reference materials and video lectures.
• Readings with references to peer-reviewed journal articles to keep up-to-date with developments in the field.
• 12 month web-based support with the opportunity to ask the instructors questions while you implement your learning.

Assessment

In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes professional requirements and two online examinations.

• Develop a report/explanation of how the learning from this course will help you with your professional development.
• Complete a literature review of three articles nominated by the course chair.
• Complete a clinical audit (separately accredited) to demonstrate application of learning.

Online Assessment

• 120 knowledge multiple choice questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
• 15 per module Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct? Yes/No
• 120 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic
• 15 per module Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.

The pass mark for each exam is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.

HealthCert recommends completion of all requirements at your convenience within nine months of the commencement of the course.

Certification and Accreditation

Upon successful completion of the exam, course participants will receive the Professional Diploma of Women's Health.

Note this e-course is not hosted on Nexlec and users can click the "Select" button to be directed to the course page.