Pelvic health physio brings relief for patients and waitlists

Earlier access to a pelvic health physiotherapist is giving patients the care they need sooner and helping take pressure off medical specialist waitlists at Redcliffe Hospital.

Katie Roderique is an Advanced Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health at Redcliffe Hospital, and she says the hospital’s approach is making a big difference for urology and gynaecology patients.

“There’s a growing awareness of the benefits of physiotherapy in pelvic health, as opposed to other interventions, and an understanding that surgeries aren’t always first-line care anymore for some conditions,” Katie said.

“Generally, patients are referred to a specialist from their GP, which means being on a wait list, especially for patients with less clinically urgent conditions.”

Katie said that after then being seen by the specialist, these patients would often be referred to a physiotherapist for a trial of conservative management after their specialist appointment – meaning more appointments at the hospital, and sometimes more waiting lists for different clinical departments.

“Now, with our gynaecology and urology screening clinics, these patients see a physiotherapist first, while they are on the waiting list for a specialist,” she said.

“For patients in our Physiotherapy Gynaecology Screening Clinic, around 50% improve so much they don’t end up needing their appointment with the gynaecologist. For our urology patients, the success rate is even higher – closer to 60%.”

“We work closely with the patient’s urologist and gynaecologist. This also means we can upgrade their referral if they need medical specialist intervention earlier.

“If a patient still needs to see a specialist after our intervention – specialists can make surgical decisions quicker and patients have fewer medical appointments. “

Redcliffe Hospital Director of Allied Health Dr Katrina Dunn said the clinics were just one example of how allied health-led models of care are transforming patient journeys in hospital settings.

“By providing earlier access to first contact pelvic health physiotherapy, we’re not only delivering timely, evidence-based care to patients, but also easing pressure on specialist outpatient clinics,” Dr Dunn said.

Katie received a Redcliffe Hospital Staff Excellence Award for Innovation earlier this year and says there’s more innovation to come in the pelvic health space, with 3D ultrasound in particular.