A Tool for GPs to Begin Conversations with Patients About Urogential Health

Though I am not a medical professional, I recognise that there is sometimes a lack of training and support, particularly for GPs, when it comes to diagnosing and treating prolapse. With that in mind, posts with the tag 'For Health Professionals' aim to share resources created by specialists for other health professionals.

Sue Croft, who is trying to raise awareness among other health professionals about pelvic health

 

 

Sue Croft is a qualified Women's Health Physiotherapist, who also works to raise awareness of pelvic floor health among the general public, and among other health professionals.

 

In a conversation with the Jean Hailes Foundation and some of her colleagues, she came across the attitude among health professionals that they were often frustrated by their patients' reticence when it came to talking about conditions like prolapse. Croft felt that the best solution to the problem was giving health professionals, particularly GPs, a tool that they can use to start this conversation with their patients.

 

Croft has come up with an acronym that GPs can use to remember to check for all of the common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, including prolapse. They could use this at each PAP smear they perform, or even during the yearly physical check-up for each adult woman they treated.

 

The acronym is, appropriately enough, PIPES:

Prolapse

Incontinence

Pain

Exercise

Sex

 

You can read more about how to use this tool as part of your medical practice, including suggested diagnostic questions and treatments for each topic, at Croft's website: Incontinence and Sex - How do we get Patients to Tell us their Problems?

 

If you know a GP or other health professional who would be interested in this resource, or who may benefit from using it as part of their practice, please feel free to direct them to this website, or directly to Croft's.