The development of a clinical training program to better prepare occupational therapy clinicians and students to work in pelvic floor therapy
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Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) affect 24 percent of women in the United States, with one in three women experiencing such conditions during their lifetime. Pelvic floor disorders impact various aspects of daily life, including activities of daily living (ADLs), work, leisure, sexual intimacy, and social participation. Occupational therapy interventions target both the physical and psychosocial aspects of pelvic floor disorders, leading to improved quality of life, symptom reduction, and empowerment. Research has shown that occupational therapy has a positive impact on the quality of life and participation in meaningful activities for women who participate in pelvic floor therapy. There are still gaps in education and training to properly prepare clinicians to practice pelvic floor occupational therapy. This doctoral capstone project is a quality improvement measure to increase clinician knowledge and understanding of the pelvic floor prior to practicing at You're In Control! women's rehabilitation clinic. The purpose of this capstone project is to create a clinical training program for occupational therapists to utilize for an in-depth education and training on pelvic floor therapy. The hypothesis guiding this project is that a clinical training program will better equip clinicians with increasing education, knowledge, and confidence to effectively practice pelvic floor therapy. A needs assessment and surveys will be implemented to guide the development of the project and measure success of the education program. Information from the needs assessment will be utilized to develop a training program and to determine the satisfaction of the program and its potential impact on pelvic floor education. The program will be implemented to the two practicing occupational therapy clinicians at the clinic. Participant knowledge, attitudes, and perceived usability will be assessed with a follow-up questionnaire. Completion of this study revealed that with increased access to training, education, and supporting materials, providers demonstrate increased confidence and expanded understanding of pelvic floor therapy. With extensive materials, there was an increase in provider competency and consistency in treatment planning and implementation. Increased access to education materials and training programs can support provider knowledge, preparation, organization, confidence, and efficiency in pelvic floor therapy, maximizing opportunities for better patient outcomes.
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