Equipping GPs to tackle persistent pelvic pain 

How a scholarship program and training course is equipping Tasmanian GPs to better manage persistent pelvic pain.   

Persistent pelvic pain affects one in four women and people assigned female at birth and is more common than diabetes, yet is often misunderstood and poorly managed. For many, it takes years to be diagnosed or access care. 

Despite its prevalence, the condition is rarely covered in GP training. Many GPs report feeling unprepared to support patients whose pain affects everything from relationships to mental health, according to a team of Tasmanian women’s health professionals. 

To help address this, Primary Health Tasmania offered a scholarship program giving GPs free access to a Tasmanian-designed online course developed by women’s health GP Dr Emily Ware, pelvic floor physiotherapist Rachel Andrew, and education specialist Colette McKiernan. 

The 15.5-hour Vagenius course provides practical, trauma-informed training specifically for general practice.  

The scholarship program was supported through Australian Government funding for GP education and the development of an endometriosis and pelvic pain pathway. 

Originally, five scholarships were offered to test interest. High demand showed this was a clear area of need, prompting Primary Health Tasmania to expand the program and provide scholarships to all eligible applicants. 

Rachel says she was overwhelmed by the response. 

“Now 124 GPs are doing the course. That’s nearly 20 per cent of Tasmania’s GP workforce. It makes me emotional.  

“This is knowledge sharing – we know GPs are struggling at the moment, and we want to help.” 

Rachel says effectively treating persistent pelvic pain helps GPs feel more satisfied in their work. 

“As a clinician, it can be really rewarding.” 

Colette says the course structure and self-care planning approach can be applied across general practice.  

“This will change the way doctors treat women,” she says.  

“Primary Health Tasmania didn’t mandate training – they supported GPs because they recognised the appetite for it.” 

Rachel adds: “This is an example of a PHN working really well. They’ve done a needs analysis, tested it, then gone hell for leather.” 

GP Dr Natasha Vavrek was among the first to receive a scholarship. 

“The course was structured, practical and full of learning outcomes that have benefited not only me but my whole clinic,” she says.  

“We’re now having deeper conversations and using tools from the course in consults.” 

She says the scholarship made the course more accessible. 

“Would I have done it without the scholarship? Maybe – but it would have been delayed.” 

Emily says the course fills a critical gap in standard GP training.  

“It untangles the complexity of pelvic pain. It teaches GPs how to identify pain drivers, manage them in a team, and build confidence.” 

The initiative is also encouraging more male GPs to engage with pelvic pain care, addressing an ongoing gap. Only 9 per cent of GPs who applied for scholarships were male. 

Dr Luke Heathcote, a final-year registrar in northern Tasmania, says: “Not having lived experience is even more reason to upskill. 

“We just need to do more work as male GPs into having a better understanding of these problems… Female patients come to us and we don’t always recognise it.” 

The course includes clinical case studies, multidisciplinary perspectives and real-life patient stories, helping GPs translate learning into practice. It also provides practical tools like handouts and care plan templates. 

Emily says the ultimate goal is to shift the care experience. 

“This kind of pain affects every part of a person’s life. It shouldn’t take years to be believed or to access support,” she says.  

“With the right tools, GPs can lead the way in shifting the landscape.” 

Primary Health Tasmania manager Jodie Courtney says the strong interest in scholarships showed how important this support is. 

“We were blown away by the interest in the scholarships,” Jodie says.  

“It demonstrates both the need and the passion GPs have for learning in this space – and why we must keep investing in it.” 

This story features in Issue 20 of our Primary Health Matters magazine. Click here to read the rest of the issue.