Continence Health Australia

My Continence Care Residential (Non-clinical) is a professional development module designed for people providing continence care in residential aged care. The module covers key elements of person-centred continence care.

As Australia’s premier multidisciplinary meeting for health professionals specialising in bladder, bowel and pelvic health, the national conference offers an extensive program of sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, bringing together key decision-makers and leading experts to share the latest advances in incontinence research and practice.

As Australia’s premier multidisciplinary meeting for health professionals specialising in bladder, bowel and pelvic health, the national conference offers an extensive program of sessions, workshops and networking opportunities, bringing together key decision-makers and leading experts to share the latest advances in incontinence research and practice.

Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is a vital component for management for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. This presentation will apply FITT-VP principles to PFMT.

FITT-VP is a principle used to guide exercise prescription, focusing on Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression of workouts. It helps individuals create effective and safe exercise programs tailored to their fitness goals and abilities broken down as:

• Frequency
• Intensity
• Time/Duration
• Type
• Volume
• Progression

This webinar will apply the latest evidence for PFMT exercise dose and approaches within clinical practice and how to best manage adherence strategies for clients and patients.

 Learning Outcomes

• Learn the mechanism of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
• Learn the definition of FITT-VP and how it applies to PFMT
• Learn the latest evidence for PFMT exercise dose and approaches in clinical practice
• Explore adherence strategies for PFMT
• Explore moving from isolated PFM exercises to reaching functional goals in real-world cases.

On Saturday 29 March, the Physiotherapy Special Interest Group held a full-day workshop at the Continence Health Australia National Office, Melbourne. Focusing on Men’s Health, this long-awaited face to face workshop addressed male anatomy, assessment and treatment of prostate ailments and addressed post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction. 

Learning Outcomes

On completion participants will have a better understanding of:

• The male anatomy responsible for continence
• Assessment of male urinary incontinence especially after treatment for prostate cancer
• Treatment of post prostatectomy incontinence
• The role of the sexologist and erectile dysfunction treatments. 

If you were unable to attend the professional development this year, you are able to purchase and watch the recordings here.

If you were unable to attend the professional development this year, you are able to purchase and watch the recordings here.

If you were unable to attend the professional development this year, you are able to purchase and watch the recordings here.

This course has been developed for Fitness Professionals to provide you with information on the structure and function of the pelvic floor muscles so that you can incorporate this knowledge into your client’s (and your own) pelvic floor fitness program.  This course will take between 7-9 hours to complete.

The 6 modules will cover:

1. The Pelvic Floor and its Function
2. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
3. Getting Pelvic Floor Exercises Correct
4. Changing Exercise Programs to Support Clients at Risk
5. Exercise Modifications
6. Motivating and Assisting Clients

This 10 module course presents the essential core theories of continence. It should be completed before undertaking Aspects of Continence Care. It has been developed primarily for:

• Community-based aged care and disability support workers,
• Residential aged care support workers
• Enrolled Nurses
• Registered Nurses moving into the sector

The 10 modules will cover:

1. Let's start talking about Incontinence
2. Understanding the Urinary System
3. The Micturition Process
4. The Lower Gastrointestinal Systems
5. The Defaecation Process
6. The Pelvic Floor
7. Types of Urinary Incontinence
8. Functional Incontinence
9. Medications
10. Bowel Problems and Faecal Incontinence

This course supports the understanding and application of the Continence Resources for Aged Care.  It is a 7 module course and has been developed primarily for:

• Community-based aged care and disability support workers,
• Residential aged care support workers
• Enrolled Nurses
• Registered Nurses moving into the sector

The 7 modules will cover:

1.  Introducing the Continence Resources for Aged Care
2. Screening for Incontinence
3. Three-day Bladder Charting
4. Seven-day Bowel Charting
5. Continence Care Planning
6. Continence Care Summary Form
7. Reviewing Continence Care Needs

Downloadable Continence Resources for Aged Care

This module contains the topics:

• Factors that affect continence in older age
• Importance of screening for risk factors
• Interventions for maintaining and managing urinary continence

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• recognise cognitive and functional limitations in maintaining continence
• state how medications impact continence
• describe the use of continence assessments to identify risk of incontinence
• discuss interventions for urinary incontinence in the healthy elderly
• explain daily strategies which promote continence in the older person.

This module contains the topics:

• The continence assessment and its importance
• Tools that assist with continence assessments
• What can a continence assessment tell you?
• From assessment to care plan
• Review of continence status

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• explain the purpose of a continence assessment
• list components of a continence assessment and how they are used
• explain what to consider when undertaking a continence assessment
• list what to include in a continence care plan
• discuss the need for reviewing a continence care plan

This module contains the topics:

• About the prostate
• Diagnosing prostate issues
• Treatment options

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• describe the impacts of prostate treatments on continence
• list strategies to promote continence following prostate cancer treatments
• describe the benefits of undertaking pelvic floor muscle exercises.

This module contains the topics:

• The role of the pelvic floor
• How pregnancy can impact continence
• Factors that increase the risk of developing incontinence
• What can be done to manage incontinence

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• describe how pregnancy impacts continence and the possibility of organ prolapse
• list factors of pregnancy which may increase the risk of incontinence
• discuss risk factors of delivery on incontinence
• explain the use of pelvic floor muscle training to manage incontinence.

This module contains the topics:

• About pelvic organ prolapse
• Causes and degree of severity
• Conservative treatment options
• Surgery as a treatment option

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• define pelvic organ prolapse and the types of pelvic organ prolapse
• describe the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse
• state the risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse
• recall conservative treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse
• explain the function and management of pessaries in providing treatment
• describe the use of surgery as an option with consideration to a person’s symptoms and type of prolapse.

This module contains the topics:

• About male incontinence
• Anatomy and physiology
• Continence assessment and management

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• list types of incontinence affecting males
• describe post-micturition incontinence and its management
• state factors which can contribute to incontinence in males
• describe how changes to the prostate can impact continence
• list management options for managing incontinence in males
• explain the circumstances in which pelvic floor muscles strengthening is necessary.

This module contains the topics:

• About functional gut disorders
• How are functional gut disorders diagnosed?
• Link to pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence
• Treatment and management of functional gut disorders

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• recall characteristics of functional gut disorders
• list causes of functional gut disorders
• discuss the connection between functional gut disorders and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence
• describe the treatment and management of functional gut disorders.

This module contains the topics:

• Understanding dementia
• Dementia and incontinence
• Assessing and managing incontinence in people living with dementia

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• Define dementia and the subtypes of dementia
• Describe the six cognitive domains affected by dementia
• Explain how dementia may impact a person’s ability to maintain continence and what types of incontinence they may experience
• Describe the impact of medications for the management of dementia on continence
• Discuss the importance of a continence assessment in relation to providing individualised continence care to a person living with dementia
• Outline management strategies for incontinence in a person living with dementia

This module contains the topics:

• About catheters
• Catheter care 
• Complications associated with catheter care

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• Recall when a catheter should be used
• Describe the function and purpose of different catheter types
• Define and explain how CAUTI impacts on catheter care. 
• List and explain complications of catheter care. 
• List strategies that can help promote safe and effective catheterisation.

This module contains the topics:

• Understanding what happens to the bladder and bowel as we age
• Impact of comorbidities on continence
• Maintaining and promoting continence

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• describe age-related anatomical changes that may increase the risk of urinary incontinence in males and females
• recall reasons linking the ageing bowel with constipation
• describe the impact of dementia on retaining continence
• explain strategies to maintain and promote continence in the older person.

Supporting toilet training is the final of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives. This module will cover:

• milestones necessary for successful toilet training
• comorbidities and their affect on toilet training
• recognised toilet training approaches
• associated complications which require treatment
• resources to assist parents and caregivers

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

This course is for registered health professionals only

Developed by Associate Professor Helena Frawley via a collaboration with the Continence Foundation of Australia and The University of Melbourne, this course is designed for any post-graduate health professional working in specialty clinics where pelvic floor muscle function, assessment and education is undertaken. 

There are two pathways to complete this course. 

1. Interactive Pathway - follow this pathway if it is the first time you are undertaking this course.
2. Video Pathway - follow this pathway if you have completed the interactive pathway before and are looking for a refresher, or you are an experienced clinician who does not need the educational resources.

Psychological conditions associated with paediatric incontinence is the sixth of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives. This module will cover:

• psychological conditions and common neurodevelopmental problems associated with incontinence
• screening for psychological and behavioural conditions
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in the management of continence in children with incontinence.

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

Assessment and management of bowel dysfunction is the second of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. This module will cover:

• history taking
• examination, bowel diary and tests
• treatment options

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

Enuresis is the third of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. This module will cover:

• enuresis
• enuresis assessment
• enuresis treatment
• therapy resistant enuresis

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

This module contains the topics:

• Understanding dementia
• Dementia and incontinence
• Assessing and managing incontinence in people living with dementia

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• Define dementia and the subtypes of dementia
• Describe the six cognitive domains affected by dementia
• Explain how dementia may impact a person’s ability to maintain continence and what types of incontinence they may experience
• Describe the impact of medications for the management of dementia on continence
• Discuss the importance of a continence assessment in relation to providing individualised continence care to a person living with dementia
• Outline management strategies for incontinence in a person living with dementia

Supporting toilet training is the final of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives. This module will cover:

• milestones necessary for successful toilet training
• comorbidities and their affect on toilet training
• recognised toilet training approaches
• associated complications which require treatment
• resources to assist parents and caregivers

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

Transitional care is the fourth of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives. This module will cover:

• childhood continence issues that may continue into adulthood
• why children with neurological and anatomical anomalies will require life-long evaluation and management
• issues in transitioning from a paediatric to an adult continence service
• consequences of a lack of coordination between paediatric and adult services
• strategies to improve transition

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

Assessment and management of bowel dysfunction is the second of seven electives in the Paediatric Continence course. This module will cover:

• history taking
• examination, bowel diary and tests
• treatment options

NOTE: You must complete the core unit, Introduction to Paediatric Continence before undertaking any of the electives.
You will be able to enrol in this module, however will not be granted access until the core module is completed.

Introduction to Paediatric Continence is the Core module of the paediatric continence course. This is a pre-requisite for all other modules in this program, providing a solid foundation to start your learning. In this module you will learn about:

• Anatomy and physiology of the lower urinary tract
• Anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract
• Development of continence
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction

This module contains the topics:

• Introduction to the Bowel
• What is faecal incontinence?
• How is faecal incontinence assessed?
• Treatment, management and prevention of faecal incontinence

By the end of this module, you should be able to: 

• describe how bowel motility occurs and how continence is achieved
• define faecal incontinence and describe the different types of faecal incontinence   
• describe how constipation and diarrhoea contribute to faecal incontinence
• list the causes of faecal incontinence
• discuss what is included in a faecal incontinence assessment
• discuss treatment, management and prevention of faecal incontinence

Continence Care for Men has been developed for Nurses and comprises a selection of intermediate modules specifically relevant to providing continence care to men.

Introduction to Continence Care has been developed for Care Workers, Enrolled and Registered Nurses who are interested in moving into continence care. It is made up of:

• Essentials of Continence Care
• Apects of Continence Care

Once you have purchased this program, please email education@continence.org.au with your elective choices.

NOTE: If you are a member contact education@continence.org.au to access the discount code.