By Wendy M. Featherstone, PT, President

With WCPT 2007 in Vancouver becoming a lovely memory and WCPT in Amsterdam two years on the horizon, the IOPTWH held its interim conference in beautiful Oeiras, Portugal on October 9th and 10th. Over 160 physical therapists from around the globe gathered to learn about the pelvic core, discuss commonalities and differences in education and practice, and, of course socialize! This was the largest turnout yet for the interim meeting, with representation from 21 countries. The programming was a wonderful mixture of anatomy and practice from world-renowned speakers. As an upstate-New Yorker, I can also attest to the fact that the experience of 85-degree weather in October was a bonus! If you missed it, mark your calendar for WCPT in Amsterdam in June of 2011, and another interim meeting for the IOPTWH in 2013, location TBD.

Speaking of escaping to nicer climates, CSM 2010 will be in San Diego from February 17-20. Once again there are many exciting educational offerings on the slate, including a 2-day preconference course with internationally recognized speaker Lorimer Moseley, entitled "Understand and Explain Pain." The ability to learn more about this somewhat ambiguous and subjective factor in our patient treatment is an opportunity not to be missed.

We are also offering a 1-day preconference course entitled "Disseminating Evidence from Practice: Writing a Case Report", presented by Karen Abraham, Nancy Rich, Mary Dockter, and Diane Borello-France. As many of you prepare to sit for the WCS exam, or complete your CAPP requirements, or would just like to begin collecting and publishing data, this provides essential information for the required Case Reports related to these endeavors. Presented in a condensed format as part of the general programming last year, we heard a distinct "we want more!" from the membership.

Regular conference programming includes education on highlights topics including Infertility, Vaginal Pain, Lymphedema, Pharmacology, Orgasm, and more. CSM 2010 will, as usual, allow for networking, socializing, and this year, celebrating our first group of Certified Specialists. Join us for a celebration following the annual business meeting on Friday, February 19th.

As you can see, many exciting opportunities for education and networking exist on a global and local level. Be a part of the enthusiasm that results from life-long learning!

By Cynthia E. Neville, PT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB, CAPP Committee Chair

Transitional CAPP OB (tCAPP-OB): PTs who have previously attended an equivalent introductory course and/or can document equivalent training/study in Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy are invited to apply for the transitional CAPP OB (tCAPP-OB). The tCAPP-OB will allow the PT to test out of the CAPP OB1 course without attending it, and then next take the OB2 and OB3 courses towards her Certificate of Achievement in Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Therapy. This opportunity will ONLY be available through the end of 2010.  All applications for the tCAPP-OB must be received to the SOWH by December 31, 2010.

CAPP-pelvic: The list of PTs who have obtained their CAPP pelvic and tCAPP-pelvic continues to grow!!! See the list on the SOWH web site at http://www.womenshealthapta.org/credentialing/cappgrads.cfm.

By Tracy Spitznagle, PT, DPT, WCS, Residency Committee, SACE member

Washington University in St. Louis Program in Physical Therapy announces the establishment of a Clinical Residency in Women's Health.

The resident will receive specialized training in treating musculoskeletal problems in women, pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema and osteoporoses. After completing the yearlong training, the resident will be eligible to sit for the women's health specialty exam.

The resident will be mentored by a team of clinicians lead by Dr. Tracy Spitznagle. Tracy is an active leader in the APTA's Section on Women's Health and served as the section's Director of Education. She currently sits on the Residency Committee for the Section on Women's Health and the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Item Writing Committee. Dr. Stacy Tylka, certified in lymphedema management, will be integral in mentoring the resident in this unique aspect of patient care. In addition, the program is collaborating with three different physical therapy clinics to provide a well-rounded learning environment. Dr. Brooke Kalisiak, and Dr. Erin Logan will serve as advisors and role models for the resident while they are working in their clinic.

"We are committed to providing an educational program that will train women's health clinicians to integrate evidence based practice, diagnosis and the unique aspects of physical therapy practice that related to women across their life span," said Tracy.

The ideal applicant will be a recent graduate or a physical therapist with one-year work experience and an interest in women's health. The applicant should have some exposure to women's health through work or clinical education. Applications can be found at http://pt.wustl.edu and are due on January 29, 2010. For more information, contact Tracy Spitznagle at spitznaglet@wustl.edu or 314- 286-1429.

By Susan Giglio, SOWH CSM Booth Coordinator

Volunteering by assisting with the Section on Women's Health booth is a great way to support your section, network and meet other therapists in your field. If you are interested in staffing the booth, please go to the SOWH website; CSM Booth Volunteers link at http://www.womenshealthapta.org/csm2010/index.cfm and see what times are available.

• THURSDAY FEBRUARY 17
  Afternoon 3-7 PM: Volunteer for a 1-2 hour time-slot on the hour.

• FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18
  Hours are 8 am to 6 pm.  Volunteer for a 1-2 hour time-slot on the hour. The unopposed hours are from 11-1 and may be very busy!

• SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19
  8 AM - 1 PM, Volunteer for a 1-2 hour time-slot on the hour. The unopposed hours are 11-1.

Sign up at the website or email the Booth Coordinator at susan@copperawning.com if you have any questions.

Once you have signed up, you will receive confirmation and in addition, you will receive a "Booth Volunteer Packet" with helpful information prior to CSM.

Thank you for volunteering your time and see you in San Diego!

Click Here to Download the CSM 2010 Pre-Conference Courses PDF

By Nancy Rich PT, PhD, Editor of the Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy

Recently a flyer was sent out that outlined the CSM Pre-Conference workshops
titled, "Understand & Explain Pain" and "Disseminating Evidence Form Practice: Writing a Case Report." Unfortunately, the flyer did not contain all the information on pricing for both of the Pre-Conference courses. The pricing that was listed was for the 2-day workshop "Understand & Explain Pain" with speaker Dr. Lorimer Moseley. This may have caused a little confusion.  A blast e-mail was sent to each member of the SoWH so that those interested may have all the proper pricing information to register for the Preconference Workshops.  For complete pricing and registration information, please visit the APTA or SoWH websites.

The presenters (Karen Abraham, Nancy Rich, Mary Dockter and Diane Borello-France) of "Disseminating Evidence Form Practice: Writing a Case Report" decided to offer this workshop after they were approached by several attendees at the 3-hour presentation last year who stated that they were very pleased with the tutorial and recommended that it be a full day workshop. One of the major goals of the workshop is to guide each participant through the entire process of writing a case report.  It would be very helpful and meaningful if each participant brings data that they have collected from an actual patient. Each participant will receive individual guidance in how to write a case report that is suitable for submission to the Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy.  We hope to see you there. For more information go to www.stephenwillknowtheproperaddress.com.

By Carrie Schwoerer PT, OCS; Director of Education

Course and lab instructors, please take note. This is the first year that applications of Intent to Teach are required. This new process will help the Regional Course Committee plan for 2011 courses. Additionally, when applying for CEU approval in some states, instructor qualifications are required.

The entire application process is outlined for course instructors at: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/pdfs/Current SOWH Speaker Request Form.pdf and for lab instructors at: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/pdfs/Lab Assistant Application.pdf. Applications require that a curriculum vitae be attached. All applications are due to the Director of Education by December 31, 2009 and will be reviewed by the Regional Course Committee at CSM. Electronic applications can be mailed to: education@womenshealthapta.org.

By Ann Marie Flores, P.T., Ph.D., M.S., M.A., Director of Research

The NIH recently announced changes for all grant applications effective January 25, 2010. All grant applications must conform to these guidelines in order to be considered for review. Check out this web link for more information about these changes:
http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov/restructured_applications.html

The Foundation for Physical Therapy announced that Dr. Bill Boissonault will chair its Board of Trustees. The Foundation has also announced that it will accept applications in 2010 for its $300,000 grant mechanism focused on "Physical Therapy Exercise Interventions to Reduce Activity Limitations and Improve Community Participation in Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions." For more information contact Karen Chesbrough, MPH, Scientific Program Administrator, at karenchesbrough@apta.org.

The Foundation also announced its membership for the Scientific Review Committee. The SOWH is delighted that our own Dianne Borello France, PT, PhD now serves on this prestigious committee. Congratulations Dr. Borello France!

And finally, the APTA has begun revising its research agenda. This is a very exciting time for the SOWH as our own Dr. Jane Irion is serving on the committee that is revising the APTA Research Agenda.

All of these advancements this year combined with our development of our clinical specialty has enhanced and heightened our profile within the profession. What an exciting time to be in the Section!

Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS APTA Board Liaison to the SOWH

Sharon Dunn, PT, PhD, OCS serves as the Program Director and Associate Professor for the DPT program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Sharon received her BS in PT in 1987, a Masters in Health Sciences in 1996, and a PhD in Cellular Biology and Anatomy in 2006, all from LSUHSC. She has practiced clinically throughout her career in outpatient and acute orthopaedic settings. She teaches the musculoskeletal content in both the DPT curriculum and a post-professional residency program that LSU offers in collaboration with PT Pros, Inc. Sharon has served the Louisiana Chapter as President, Vice President, Delegate, and Government Affairs Chair. She currently serves on APTA's Board of Directors and this year has been appointed as liaison to the SOWH. Sharon solicits your feedback and ideas to continue to make the APTA helpful in your professional development, advocacy, and practice expectations.

Top 10 Reasons You Should Consider Developing A Women's Health Clinical Residency
By Theresa M Spitznagle PT MHS DPT WCS, Member of the Residency Committee

10.  You want to be able to answer the question "what is the difference between a residency and fellowship?"

Answer: A clinical residency program is designed to substantially advance a resident's expertise in examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and management of patients in a defined area of clinical practice (specialty, i.e. women's health). This focus may also include community service, patient education, research, and supervision of other health care providers. Often, the residency experience prepares and individual to become a board-certified clinical specialist. A fellowship program is designed to provide greater depth in a specialty or subspecialty area than that which is covered in a residency program. Additionally, applicants of a clinical fellowship program must be licensed as a physical therapist and possess one or more of the following qualification: 1. specialist certification, 2. completion of a residency in a specialty area, or 3. demonstrable clinical skills within a particular specialty area.

9.  Your clinic will become famous! Checked by many fans of the APTA website looking at the most current listing of credentialed residency sites: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?...Section=Residency

8.  You get to use cool phrases like, DSP, "Description of Specialty Practice." This will help you determine the curriculum! Clinical residencies base their curriculum off of the most recent "Description of Specialty Practice" (DSP). This document is based off analyses of the subset of skills needed to serve the targeted population; what diagnoses this population presents with, and the standards of practice being used to treat these patients.

7.  You will be able to fine-tune your interviewing skills, maybe even justify a new "professional" outfit!
..."Why do you want to become a WH resident?"  "What will you do with this education in 5 years? 10 years?"  "Describe for me an uncomfortable situation that you recently encountered and how you managed it?"  "What aspects of women's health physical therapy are you most interested in?"  "What high school did you go to?"... Ooops, that one is a St Louis specific one....Ha!

6.  You will learn to determine salary for a part time clinic employee, compared to that of a new graduate who has a full time commitment to the program.  ...With the added benefits of: 1:1 mentoring, continuing education, independent and group leaning activities, research, pro-bono work, community education and marketing opportunities.

5.  The women across the US who need services for pelvic floor dysfunction, lymphedema, pregnancy, osteoporosis, athletic injuries, hormone related impairments of their connective tissues, chronic pelvic pain, and musculoskeletal pain syndromes will gain a provider that is well trained.

4.  You will get goose bumps every time someone asks, How is the planning is going?
…The job description was approved this week! The benefit package was determined this week! The clinic sites have given me a verbal agreement.  The lawyer has been consulted to write up contracts.  The curriculum has been sketched out and the details are coming...Teen Ob clinic, you bet, let's see if we can collaborate! You will be amazed how fast the planning period passes once you have been given administrative approval.......

3.  The free money from the Section on Women's Health.   ....The Section on Women's Health is currently prepared to assist sites financially.  Yes, free money!!!!!

How much does it cost to apply for clinical residency?
Answer: At this time the cost to apply for clinical residency for 1-5 residents is $1,500; 6-10 is $2,000; and 11 or more is $2,500.

2.  The Pride you will have when a public announcement is made for your residency; the posting of the application online; first phone call and emails you receive from interested residents; the printing of your first residency handbook.

At CSM 2009, WUPT announced their intension of starting a Women's Health Residency in July of 2010.  The application can now be found on our website. The handbook is pending.

1.  Our Specialty Practice Desperately Needs Residencies!!!!!!  There are a greater number of physical therapists looking for women's health resident programs than there are women's health residencies. You will be part of the future of Women's Health Physical Therapy Specialty Practice!

By Wren McLaughlin, SPT, MS - Director of SoWH Student Special Interest Group

On Halloween weekend, over 900 students gathered in sizzling Miami for National Student Conclave 2009.  During the three-day conference, students attended sessions on leadership development and global initiatives, panel discussions with recent graduates and living legends, and clinical sessions on specialty practice areas.  New APTA student assembly board of directors and nominating committee members were elected and students browsed the exhibit hall collecting free goniometers and pens and learning about job opportunities from travel PT to residency.

The interest and enthusiasm for women's health PT was phenomenal!  Over 100 students attended the clinical sessions on women's health presented by Pamela Downey, PT, DPT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB.  Dr. Downey spoke about the practice of women's health as both a specialty and a generality.  She delivered an eloquent message about the PT's role to educate, empower and prescribe exercise for women across the lifespan.  Whether you dedicate your practice to treatment of patients with women's health-specific issues like pregnancy-related back pain or decide to work in general orthopedics and treat women with hip or neck pain, there are many opportunities to educate and empower women to lead healthier lives.

Members of the SSIG leadership team, including Jaclyn Brandt, Sarah Caston, Nicole Coleman, and myself, helped SoWH Executive Director, Kathie St. Claire, staff the SoWH booth.  We fielded questions about residency and career development, directing students to SoWH resources to guide them along their journey. I enjoyed the opportunity to ponder the pros and cons of applying for residency with other students battling the same difficult decisions.  Students also shared their women's health-related didactic and clinical exposure.  I was thrilled to learn that many schools are offering elective courses in women's health.  We also received many questions regarding continuing education and students were excited to learn that they can take Pelvic Level I in their final year of school.

With over 50 new students on our mailing list, the SSIG is gaining momentum. Consistent with the APTA's branding initiative "moving forward," SoWH members can be assured that future women's health PTs are preparing to move our profession forward.  Students are taking initiative, even when opportunities are limited in their geographic area. As students, we must continue to challenge each other to turn up the heat on our careers and seize the vast opportunities that exist in women's health physical therapy.

SSIG Update: Combined Sections Meeting and Available Leadership Opportunities
Wren McLaughlin, SPT, MS - Director of SoWH Student Special Interest Group

Students, your special interest group leadership team is working for you!  This winter, there are some great opportunities available to help you explore your interest in women's health PT.

Are you heading to Combined Sections Meeting in sunny San Diego in February?  We invite you to attend an educational session designed especially for students entitled "Student Forum: What does a Women's Health Physical Therapist REALLY do?"  We will also be hosting a general SSIG membership meeting.  This meeting is a wonderful opportunity to network with other students and discuss your needs as a student with the SSIG leadership team.  Check our website for more details about CSM events and stay tuned for emails.

Are you looking to get more involved with the SoWH?  The SSIG has two vacant Board of Director positions in the northwest region of the country. The position involves regional outreach to students, networking with local and regional PTs, and publicizing women's health related events.  This position is a great opportunity to learn more about women's health PT, gain leadership experience, and help shape the future of the SSIG.

Contact the SSIG via email at sowh.ssig@gmail.com or by phone at (919) 699-3324. Website: http://www.womenshealthapta.org/sigs/student.cfm

SSIG membership is free with an active SoWH membership and is open to all PT and PTA students and graduates in their 1st year of practice.  Contact us via email to join our mailing list!

Update on Women's Health Specialty Council (WHSC) of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS)
By Rebecca Byerley, WHSC, PR/Marketing

Council Members:   Jean Irion, WHSC Chair
                             Karen Abraham, WHSC, Item Writer Coordinator
                             Rebecca Byerley, WHSC Public Relations/Marketing

Three months to go until our next cohort of therapists will take the women's health specialization exam.

• The 61 newly certified women's health specialists of 2009 will be recognized during the Opening Ceremony of the APTA Combined Sections Meetings in San Diego, CA on Wednesday, February 17, 2010.

• Specialization examination application deadline and testing dates for the 2010 examination cycle
• APPLICATION DEADLINE for submitting to ABPTS was July 31st, 2009
• TESTING DATES for the specialization examination will take place February 27th, 2010 through March 13th, 2010

• Specialization examination applications.

• WHSC and SACE I and II case reflection training took place in September 2009
• The review of applications and case reflections is continuing, however, all applicants will be notified of their application status by 11/6/09
• Examination fee deadline for the 2010 exam is November 30, 2009

• Item Writer Workshop for 2009:
• Philadelphia, PA:  tentative late fall 2009
• If you would like to host an Item Writer Workshop, or have questions about one of the above Workshops, please contact:
• Karen Abraham
  (KAbraham@su.edu),
  540-665-5524

• Requirements to participate in the Item Writer Workshop include:
• Licensed PT with experience in women's health
• Previous item writer experience not necessary
• Do not have to be appointed as an official item writer (SACE member)
• Participation will not affect your ability to take the specialization exam without a waiting period

• New WHSC Member, SACE I, and CCE Members have been appointed by the ABPTS.  The Specialty Council representatives and all CCEs are all newly certified specialists.
• New Women's Health Specialty Council Member:
• Tracy Spitznagle from Washington University has been appointed by the Board as the new Women's Health Specialty Council member
• Her responsibilities will include PR/Marketing and assisting with other tasks specific to the specialty council
• The 4-year term will begin on January 1, 2010
• Tracy will be fulfilling Rebecca's position as she rotates off the Council
• Committee of Content Expert (CCE):
• 3 individuals have been appointed:
• Kim Fisher
• Lisa Massa
• Susan Clinton
• Responsibilities include assisting the Item Writer Coordinator in working with the SACE I and SACE II in item writing/editing activities related to maintaining and building the test item bank for the specialization examination, and assisting with the Regional Item Writing Workshops
• The 3-year term will begin soon during this fall of 2009
• Specialty Area Content Experts (SACE):
• 7 individuals have been appointed to serve as SACE I:
• Elizabeth M. Cole
• Ingrid Harm-Ernandes
• Natalie Jean Herback
• Victoria Clarke Keller
• Laurelle G. Kilmartin
• Ting-Ting Kuo
• Patricia R. Nelson
• 12 individuals have been appointed to serve as SACE II
• Adrienne McAuley
• Allison Francis
• Jill Boissonnault
• Susan George
• Debbie Hickman
• Carrie James
• Genne McDonnell
• Kathleen Novicki
• Kim Fisher
• Lisa Massa
• Trish King
• Kathy Stover
• Responsibilities include writing questions for the specialty examination and attendance at an Item Writer's Workshop at Combined Sections Meeting in February 2010
• The 2- year appointment will begin at CSM, 2010 in San Diego, CA with a mandatory Item Writing Workshop on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
• SACE members are also asked to assist the Council with Regional Item Writing Workshops in their geographical locale

• Next Steps for the Specialty Council:
• Assist the Postgraduate Certification Office with notifying examination applicants of their application status, by November 6, 2009
• WHSC to participate in conference call meetings to prepare for activities for 2010
• Work with the SoWH Board of Directors for the Section to recognize the specialists at CSM 2010
• Regional Item Writing Workshops:
• Philadelphia, PA:  late fall 2009
• ABPTS Specialty Council Meeting, CSM, San Diego, 2010
• Item Writer's Workshops:  Specialty Council for SACE I/II at CSM, San Diego, 2010
• Prepare for Opening Ceremony at CSM 2010 to recognize the first cohort of Women's Health Specialists.  The Council hopes that these new specialists will be in attendance to be recognized and that many other women's health practitioners will be there to congratulate them and cheer them on
• WHSC to present at CSM, 2010, Women's Health Specialization Update:  The Road Map on the Way to Certification and Beyond for the Newly Certified Specialist, Thursday, February 18, 2010, 2:30 - 4:30, 2 contact hours
• ABPTS Forum on Certification/Continued Competence at CSM, 2010 on Thursday, February 18, 2010, tentative time 3:30 - 4:30

By Wendy Baltzer-Fox PT, DPT, GCS, WCS and Elizabeth M. Cole PT, MCSP, WCS, CLT-LANA

If you look at the DSP for Women's Health you will see only four percent of the respondents were in the 55-64 age bracket.  We are two of those therapists, both working full time and with combined years of clinical practice of over seventy!  Between us we have seven children, two husbands, and two dogs.  We would like to share our year's journey to becoming Women's Certified Specialists (WCS).

In June of 2008, just as Wimbledon was on the television and the weather was hot and muggy. Wendy called me to ask a question about lymphedema.  We had met at the CAPP II and III courses the previous year.  In the course of our conversation the subject of the WCS came up, and we decided that we would apply to take the exam with the first batch of applicants. Wendy had been certified and recertified as a Geriatric specialist, but the case report made this application quite different.

(The application process includes a Case report, so) During those hot July evenings we became acquainted with Ref Works and Write 'n Cite as we prepared our case reports. With a wide range of interesting patients, selecting one to focus on was difficult.  Having burnt much midnight oil, we both submitted our applications by the July 31 deadline, just on time.

As the weather became cooler and our families returned to school, we began to gather the suggested reading list.  We did this by pooling everything we or our colleagues already owned and then dividing the remaining studies into two parts.  It took months for us to collect those remaining studies.  And we never did get them all; we were short one study about osteoporosis in rural Iowa at the time of the exam but by then we decided we had read enough.

We both work full time in adjacent states, so we planned to meet once a week half way between our homes.  We selected a Starbucks in Walpole MA and quickly found which table was away from the canned music (and had room for all of our many books.) lugging our articles and books to share and exchange. Staplers, hole punch and lots of 'post-its' completed our study space. These weekly meetings of 4-6 hours became a time to discuss patients and families as well as the study material.  Thus it was fitting that the end of each session was signaled by Wendy's teen-aged daughter Hannah calling to say she was home from school.

As the exam date approached, we spent a couple of weekends together, met each other's daughters and dogs, and were able to take study breaks and walk the dogs in the snowy outdoors.  Late one dark Saturday afternoon, the power went out, but we studied on.  We were viewing the Home Study pelvic dissection CD on the laptop.  As we sat side by side by candlelight watching the computer screen, Elizabeth's daughter, Rebecca returned home from the horse barn.  Shortly after Wendy remarked that the CD was so well done that you could almost smell the dissection, but in retrospect, we think it was just the smell of barn boots next to us.

We decided to take the exam on the same day but at local centers.   We could then compare notes afterwards.  We chose a Monday thinking that we would be more alert at the beginning of the week.  It snowed that day.  Elizabeth was able to leave her test terminal for bathroom breaks and lunch, but Wendy was told she must remain in the room and was grateful for the sandwich that her husband had packed for her.

The experience of studying and sharing our practice was stimulating and fun.  It was a year of fairly steady work and we both needed a few weeks to rebuild our energy afterwards.  We are now excited to be going to San Diego and receive our certificates.  Would we do it again?  Yes, but in ten years time (we will both have retired.)...................   Elizabeth and Wendy

Section on Women's Health Exhibited at the 39th Annual Meeting of the International Continence Society, September 29-October 3, 2009 in San Francisco http://www.icsoffice.org
Booth report & photos by Trisha Jenkyns P.T.

Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physical therapists all visited the booth.  We made a great show of support to ICS with our booth and with the presentations made by our SOWH members!  It was great publicity for Women's Health Physical Therapy!

Stephanie Knight, a physiotherapist from the UK gave us compliments on our attractive booth and was "happy to see physical therapists represented in the Exhibit Hall at ICS".  As it always does; the booth provided networking opportunities for PT's, at the conference.

The SOWH members that presented abstracts at ICS included:

Rhonda Kotarinos: Physical findings in patients with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes (UCPPS).  Authors: Kotarinos R, Fortman C, Neville C, Badillo S, O'Dougherty B, Fraser L, Lynch A, Odabachian L, Sanfield A, FitzGerald M P, Clemens J Q, Potts J

Cindy Neville:  Impact Of Urinary Incontinence On Rehabilitation Outcomes In Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities In The United States.  Authors: Neville C, Mallinson T, Almagor O, Fitzgerald C, Heinemann A

Alison Sadowy:  Development of a Tool for Visual Inspection of Pelvic Floor Muscle Coordination.  Authors: Sadowy A, Hollman J, Angela B, Danica F, Kirstin H, Heidi J

Beth Shelly:  Methods used by physical therapists to learn pelvic floor muscle examination.  Authors: Shelly E, Krum L.

Photos:

Cynthia E. Neville, PT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB, CAPP Committee Chair

Physical therapy was resoundingly validated as a critical component of urogenital, colorectal, and pelvic health care at the International Continence Society (ICS) in San Francisco Sept 20 - Oct 3, 2009. More than 10 members of the SOWH from across the country attended. Five members, Beth Shelly, PT, DPT, BCIA-PMDB, Ruth Maher, PT, DPT, WCS, Alison M Sadowy, PT, OCS, Rhonda K. Kotarinos, PT and Cynthia E. Neville, PT, WCS, BCIA-PMDB presented physical therapy research to an international community of physical therapists, urologists, uro-gynecologists, gynecologists, and colo-rectal specialists.

The presentations were:

• METHODS USED BY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO LEARN PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE EXAMINATION Shelly E, Krum L

• A NOVEL EXTERNALLY APPLIED NEUROMUSCULAR STIMULATOR FOT THE TREATMENT OF STRESS URINARY INCONTYINENCE- A PILOT STUDY Maher R, Crowe L, Caulfield B

• DEVELOPMENT OF A TOOL FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE COORDINATION Sadowy A, Hollman J, Angela B, Danica F, Kirstin H, Heidi J

• PHYSICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH UROLOGIC CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN SYNDROMES (UCPPS) Kotarinos R, Fortman C, Neville C, Badillo S, O'Dougherty B, Fraser L, Lynch A, Odabachian L, Sanfield A, Fitzgerald M P, Clemens J Q, Potts J

• IMPACT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE ON REHABILITATION OUTCOMES IN INPATIENT REHABILITATION FACILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES Neville C, Mallinson T, Almagor O, Fitzgerald C, Heinemann A

By Frieda Alessi PT, DPT, Volunteer Coordinator

Would you like to make a difference and contribute to the growth of Women's Health Physical Therapy? Please consider offering some of your time and talent as a volunteer for the Women's Health Section. To be eligible for a volunteer position, you must be a member of the section, preferably for 2 years, and have e-mail access.  The term for volunteer positions is 3 years, with a maximum of two terms.  The following positions are open:

Advertising and Marketing Coordinator
Product Endorsement Committee Members
Product Endorsement Chair
Finance Committee Member
Media Coordinator
Residency Committee Members- Midwest Regions
Case Report Reviewers for the CAPP process
CAPP Coordinator
Education Resource Coordinator
Reimbursement Chair

State & Regional Representatives:
Midwest Regional Representative
District of Columbia
Delaware
New York (West Region)
Rhode Island
Vermont
Kentucky
Puerto Rico
Tennessee (West Region)
Kansas
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Southern California
New Mexico

Please contact Frieda Alessi, Volunteer Coordinator, at extensionspt@sbcglobal.net for more information. You can also view the position descriptions on the section's website.  If you do not see a position that interests you but would like to help in some way, send an e-mail with a brief description of what your interests are.

Attention Student Members!!!
The following positions are available in the Student Special Interest group:

Board of Directors Northwest
Board of Directors Northeast

For more information on these positions, contact sowh.ssig@gmail.com, or call (919) 699-3324.

By Susan Abis PT, Federal Affairs Liaison, SoWH

Currently, APTA is closely monitoring the ongoing universal health care debate on Capital Hill.  It seems the most contentious aspect will be whether or not any legislation will include a public option-with possible opt out choice for states as a compromise.  It is important for all members to contact their representatives in Congress and let them know where we stand on a health care reform package.  Specifically, provisions being monitored are:

• Rehabilitation as an Essential Benefit in the Health Care Insurance Exchange- in that the senate needs to better define coverage of rehabilitation and habilitation services under their legislation.

• Permanent Repeal of Therapy Caps - currently, the language of the senate finance committee's bill provides for a two-year extension of the therapy caps exceptions process.  S.46/ HR 43 would provide a permanent repeal of the therapy cap situation once and for all.

• Support Lincoln amendment D9 in Senate Health Care bill to research direct access models for expanding access to physical therapy for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas.  Also, please ask your senators to consider co-sponsoring S.950/ HR 1829, which would allow Medicare beneficiaries to see a physical therapist directly!

• Eliminate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), which impedes patient access and cost-effective outpatient rehabilitation services provided by physical therapists. Encourage your representative to permanently repeal the SGR formula in the Medicare physician fee schedule to accurately reflect costs of providing care by ensuring that any policy set forth regarding bundling payments for post-acute care services.  Bundled payments should not be implemented into law or regulation without full evaluation of its feasibility and advisability as a payment model for post-acute care services. APTA recommends demonstration projects to further evaluate this payment methodology and for the gradual phase in of policies that change the payment system from post-acute care.

Other issues being monitored by APTA include the following:

IDEA:  H.R. 3578/ S.1652 authorizes increasing amounts of mandatory funding in six year increments that, in addition to the discretionary funding allocated through the Appropriations Committee, will finally meet the federal government's commitment to educating children with disabilities by 2015.  By increasing the federal investment in special education, the bill would also free up local and state funds that had previously been used to meet IDEA requirements.  "This is a win-win-win bill," Chairman Harkin said.  "With these advance appropriations, students with disabilities will get the public education they have a right to and school districts will be able to provide services without cutting into their general education budgets."

Practice Expense:  Oncology and Cardiology has escalated an aggressive campaign to convince Congress to overturn or delay the practice expense (PE) changes in the 2010 Medicare Proposed Physician Fee Schedule rule that gives physical therapy a 10% payment increase effective Jan. 1. Oncologists and Cardiologists have built up momentum, circulating a Congressional sign-on letter seeking to stop implementation of survey data that results in our justified payment increase. These efforts are unfair to physical therapy and other health care provider specialties.

• For most specialties, CMS is using practice costs from 1995 to 1999, which clearly do not account for the increased costs that practices face today. The use of the new PE survey data will improve payment accuracy and correct current inequities.
• In 2005, CMS accepted updated PE data for some specialties but not all providers. Because of budget neutrality, this led to a shift of payment into these updated specialties at the expense of all other providers including physical therapy. The proposed rule would correct this inequity and implement data that was collected uniformly and simultaneously.

It is imperative that Congress knows the validity of the PE survey and CMS rule. Contact your Senators and Representative and share your strong support today for acceptance and implementation of the PE survey data provision in the rule! It is critical that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius hears from Congress on this important issue to counter the aggressive campaign to overturn the proposed rule.