Course Overview

Your patient tells you that they are experiencing severe pelvic pain. Could the cause of this be endometriosis or is it something else? This Ausmed Course will help learners to better understand endometriosis, an under-recognised and under-diagnosed chronic condition.

Topics

• What is endometriosis?
• Signs and symptoms
• Management and treatment options
• Common misconceptions

Need

Endometriosis is a common, chronic, inflammatory and often painful condition. Historically this chronic condition is under-recognised in both the health sector and the general public, and subsequently can be left undiagnosed. Endometriosis can have a major impact on the quality of life for a person and the person does not always receive adequate treatment.

Healthcare professionals need to be able to distinguish endometriosis from other causes of pelvic pain so that they can appropriately advise their patients. There is a growing need recognised by the Australian government to improve awareness, education, diagnosis and treatment of this chronic condition. This would allow for better health outcomes for those experiencing endometriosis.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to raise awareness about endometriosis, satisfy curiosity and debunk misconceptions about a misunderstood condition, as well as to provide basic, general tips on caring for a patient with the condition.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
• Recognise potential signs and symptoms of endometriosis.
• Understand current best-practice management and treatment options for endometriosis.
• Confidently debunk common misconceptions about endometriosis.

Target Audience

Nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals generally curious about endometriosis, who are looking to increase their knowledge about this topic.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Jessica Taylor View profile

Jessica Taylor is the president and director of QENDO, an organisation devoted to making a difference in the lives of those living with endometriosis. She has copious experience working in the non-for-profit space at both state and federal levels and specialises in consumer engagement. Jessica is passionate about volunteer work and giving back to the community.