Dr Jane Chalmers APAM didn’t always know she’d end up in physiotherapy, let alone in pelvic health. An active childhood and a nudge from a family member set her on the path to a physiotherapy degree. 

But it was a powerful personal experience with persistent pelvic pain that steered her towards women’s health. 

That moment proved pivotal, igniting a lasting interest in pelvic pain that continues to shape her clinical and academic career. 

‘I saw a women’s health physio, Trish Neumann, for painful periods and it was life-changing. 

I was already studying pain but that moment shifted my focus to pelvic pain. 

That’s what I’ve been passionate about ever since.’ Jane is now part of a five-person team of physiotherapists—the others are Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2010) Dr Patricia (Trish) Neumann FACP, Dr Rebekah Das APAM, Dr Sophie Lefmann APAM and APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist Alison Bell MACP—recently honoured with an Australian Award for University Teaching for outstanding contributions to student learning. 

The award recognises the Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Teaching and Coordination Team for its groundbreaking work in delivering high-quality, evidence-based training in pessary care. 

The award-winning Professional Certificate in Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse was developed in response to a glaring clinical need. 

POP affects approximately 40 per cent of women and other birthing parents following childbirth and, until recently, management was largely the domain of gynaecologists and urogynaecologists—often with long waiting times and limited access, particularly in rural and remote areas. 

‘Trish really pioneered this space,’ Jane says. ‘She realised that pessary care could fall within the physiotherapy scope of practice and saw an opportunity to provide people with a “one-stop shop” for prolapse management.’ 

Since its first intake in 2018, the University of South Australia course has gone from strength to strength, helping to address access inequities while giving physiotherapists the skills and confidence to safely and effectively manage prolapse using pessaries. 

The course combines rigorous academic learning with practical training—including peer examinations and hands-on assessments—to ensure competence and confidence. 

‘As a profession, we weren’t always sure where pessary management sat. So we did the research. 

We worked with gynaecologists, physios, women’s health nurses and other experts internationally to develop a list of competencies that physiotherapists need to safely manage pessary care. That forms the backbone of what we teach.’ 

The program’s structure is particularly mindful of rural and remote learners, says Jane. 

While the bulk of the content is delivered online, each of the two modules includes an intensive weekend workshop to cover practical components.

‘It’s incredible the lengths our students go to. One recent student travelled almost two days to reach us. But she’s now providing pessary care in a community where there’s no resident gynaecologist, only fly-in fly-out specialists.’ 

This commitment to rural service delivery aligns with the team’s original goal: widespread, equitable access to high-quality prolapse care. 

Their most recent research confirms that the course is achieving this aim, with graduates now working across every Australian state and territory in metropolitan and remote settings. 

One of the course’s most striking innovations has been the use of highly realistic silicone vaginal models developed in partnership with Fusetec, an advanced medical simulation company. 

These lifelike models allow students to practise pessary insertion and removal as often as needed, without discomfort to peers or patients. 

‘Honestly, if you closed your eyes, you’d think it was a real person. That partnership with Fusetec has been game-changing for us. They donated two of the models—worth about $5000 each—and really worked with us to meet our teaching needs.’ 

Other important industry partners include Sayco, Australia’s largest distributor of pessaries, and Tristel, providers of specialised cleaning solutions. 

Jane credits the partnerships as playing a big part in the course’s success.

While the award is a major milestone for the team, it’s also deeply personal. 

‘Trish has just retired and she’s such a quiet achiever. She’s made an enormous contribution to pelvic health physiotherapy in Australia. This award was a beautiful send-off and national recognition of everything she’s done.’ 

The teaching team is also proud of the way their multidisciplinary approach has been received—gynaecologists and expert sonographers are among the regular guest educators. 

‘It’s not just physios teaching physios. We’ve developed strong relationships with the medical community, who recognise the value in what we’re doing.’ 

Recognition is also coming from health services themselves. 

Western Health in Victoria, for example, has made the University of South Australia certificate mandatory training for clinicians offering pessary care in its prolapse services. 

Meanwhile, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide is starting its first prolapse service staffed by clinicians trained through the course. So what does the future hold for the program? 

While enrolments remain strong, Jane says the team is exploring ways to evolve. 

Participants in the course use realistic vaginal models to practise pessary insertion and removal.

They have discussed developing an introductory course for people who don’t meet the course prerequisites. 

Combining the course with pain education, to create a more holistic pelvic pain management program, has also been considered. 

The team is keen to explore training that pushes the boundaries of current physiotherapy scope—such as understanding the spectrum of normal and abnormal vaginal tissue health or the role of ultrasound in pessary management. 

‘It’s about growing thoughtfully. We want to continue offering high-quality training in niche areas that really meets community needs.’ Jane is equally enthusiastic about new grads entering the pelvic health space. 

‘There’s a real wave of interest now, especially with more awareness about things like endometriosis. 

My advice to new physios is to start with the basics—upskill in pelvic floor assessment and exercise prescription, build your confidence. There’s a clear pathway through the APA now too. 

Pessary management is not an entry-level skill but if you’re committed to learning and growing, we’d love to have you in the course when you’re ready.’ 

For Jane and her colleagues, the award is not just a celebration of their efforts. It’s a call to action for the profession. 

‘This award recognises that physios can play a valuable role in niche areas of healthcare, provided we approach it rigorously and collaboratively. 

We’re not trying to take work from gynaecologists—we’re trying to meet demand and improve access for women who need timely, effective care. It’s about smarter scopes of practice and helping our communities.’

Dr Jane Chalmers