Skip to content
Search icon

Professional Certificate of Women's Health

Gain a comprehensive understanding of women’s health issues commonly seen in primary care.

Professional Certificate of Women's Health

CPD

33 hrs Education 48 hrs Performance 8.5 hrs Outcome

Delivery

Fully online
Learn from
anywhere

Duration

81 hours
Self-paced
Start anytime

Overview

Delivered by leading experts in the field, this course will enable you to provide high-demand women's health services and better meet the needs of your female patients.

Who it is for and what you will learn:

  • This course is perfect for practitioners with no to little training in this area.

  • Explore medical conditions and concerns pertinent to female patients such as family planning, breastfeeding, menopause, pregnancy, and more.

  • This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses.

  • CPD-accredited and university-assured.

Your education pathway

Professional Certificate

Establish foundational clinical knowledge and essential skills.

You are here

Advanced Certificate

Develop advanced techniques and diagnostic capabilities.

Learn more

Professional Diploma

Master complex cases and achieve high-level clinical proficiency.

Learn more

Learning outcomes

  • Upskill in cervical screening to improve patient care.

  • Diagnose and manage Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.

  • Assist your female patients with pregnancy-related issues, family planning, breastfeeding, and more.

  • Offer expert advice for patients struggling with menstrual irregularities and menopause symptoms.

Course contents

Menstrual Irregularities
The "Menstrual Irregularities" course offers healthcare professionals a thorough understanding of diagnosing and managing common menstrual disorders such as heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Participants will learn to assess symptoms, identify structural and non-structural causes using the PALM-COEIN classification, and provide individualised treatment options. Through evidence-based guidelines and case discussions, this course equips practitioners to manage menstrual issues effectively, improving the quality of life for women affected by these conditions.
Breastfeeding
The "Breastfeeding" course provides healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the physiology and management of breastfeeding. Participants will learn the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and child, how to support lactation, and the tools needed to manage common breastfeeding difficulties. The course covers breast anatomy, lactation processes, and maternal nutrition, while offering practical guidance for addressing complications such as low milk supply, mastitis, and breastfeeding pain. Designed to support general practitioners in helping new mothers, this course emphasises evidence-based practices and patient care.
Pregnancy 1
Discover the essential stages of pregnancy care with "Pregnancy 1," a comprehensive guide designed for healthcare professionals. This course offers evidence-based insights into preconception, antenatal, and postnatal care, highlighting best practices for optimizing maternal and fetal health. Explore screening techniques, management of common pregnancy symptoms, and strategies for supporting postnatal recovery. Presented by Dr. Kate Moriarty, the course combines expert guidance with interactive discussions and practical case studies, equipping you with the skills to deliver exceptional care during uncomplicated pregnancies.
Women's Health - Family Planning 1
The "Women’s Health - Family Planning 1" course offers healthcare professionals a comprehensive guide to contraception counselling and management. It covers various contraceptive methods, including combined hormonal contraceptives, progestogen-only options, and emergency contraception. Participants will learn how to assess patient needs, gather relevant medical history, and provide personalised recommendations. This evidence-based course equips clinicians with practical tools to guide patients through family planning decisions, focusing on efficacy, side effects, and patient preferences.
Domestic Abuse
This course on Domestic Abuse is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to identify, respond to, and support women experiencing domestic abuse. Through a detailed exploration of domestic abuse statistics, screening techniques, and intervention strategies, participants will learn how to provide sensitive, non-judgmental care. The course covers the physical and psychological signs of abuse, the mental health impact, and the role of general practitioners in offering ongoing support and connecting victims to available resources.
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Cervical Screening
This course provides a practical, up-to-date guide to sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and cervical cancer prevention in primary care. Participants learn how to take a sensitive and effective sexual health history, apply current Australian STI Management Guidelines, and determine appropriate testing for diverse patient groups. The course also explains cervical cancer pathogenesis, HPV transmission, and evidence-based screening principles. Learners gain clarity on recent changes to national cervical screening guidelines, including self-collection, risk pathways, and management of results. Through real clinical examples and step-by-step guidance, the course strengthens confidence in delivering safe, person-centred STI and cervical screening care.
Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome
Unlock the complexities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) with this evidence-based and comprehensive course. Designed for healthcare professionals, this course delves into the hormonal, diagnostic, and management aspects of PCOS, covering its symptoms, causes, and treatment strategies. Explore patient-centred approaches, including case-based discussions, to enhance your clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. Empower yourself with tools and resources to diagnose and manage this multifaceted condition effectively. Whether you're seeking foundational knowledge or advanced insights, this course equips you with essential expertise in women's health.
Menopause
The "Menopause" course offers comprehensive guidance for healthcare professionals on understanding, diagnosing, and managing menopause. This evidence-based course covers the stages of menopause, including perimenopausal and postmenopausal phases, and presents best practices for managing symptoms with both lifestyle modifications and medical treatments, including Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT). Participants will learn to identify and address common symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, and urogenital atrophy, while also understanding the risks and benefits of MHT. This course is ideal for those in general practice seeking to enhance their care for women experiencing menopause.

Meet your instructors

Dr Sharon Sykes Dr Sharon Sykes MBBS BAppSc FRACGP Dr Sharon Sykes

General practitioner

Dr Sharon Sykes works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. Dr Sykes served 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before becoming a general practitioner. She has a special interest in medical education and has previously worked as a medical educator for North Coast GP Training.

She holds a MBBS, Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sci) and a Fellowship of the RACGP.

Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors Course Chair Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors MBBS (first class honours) Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors

General practitioner and GP supervisor

Associate Professor Debbie Kors is the founder and joint owner of a private teaching general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia. She works there as a general practitioner and GP supervisor of GP registrars and medical students.

A/Prof Kors is a passionate advocate for the profession of general practice. She is a Conjoint Associate Professor in Primary Health Care at the UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus and has previously worked as a senior medical educator with North Coast GP Training. In 2010, she was nominated for and won the General Practice Education and Training GP Supervisor of the Year award.

A/Prof Kors holds a MBBS (first class honours), Fellowship of the RACGP, Masters of Family Medicine (clinical), Diploma of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Graduate Diploma of Medical Education and a Certificate of Family Planning.

Dr Kate Moriarty Dr Kate Moriarty FRACGP Dr Kate Moriarty

Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Dr Kate Moriarty works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia, where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. She is a senior lecturer for UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus. She has special interests in women’s health and medical education.

She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Dr Sharon Sykes Dr Sharon Sykes MBBS BAppSc FRACGP Dr Sharon Sykes

General practitioner

Dr Sharon Sykes works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. Dr Sykes served 18 years in the Royal Australian Air Force before becoming a general practitioner. She has a special interest in medical education and has previously worked as a medical educator for North Coast GP Training.

She holds a MBBS, Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sci) and a Fellowship of the RACGP.

Dr Valia Francis Dr Valia Francis FRACGP MBBS BSci(Neuroscience) DCH DRCOG Dr Valia Francis

General practitioner

Dr Evangelia (Valia) Francis enjoys all aspects of General Practice but is especially interested in skin medicine, women's health and medicine of the elderly.

Originally from the coastal town of Kavala in Greece, Dr Francis is involved in teaching medical students as a Conjoint Lecturer in the Rural Medical School of Port Macquarie as well as teaching registrars. It is a very fulfilling aspect of her work that has been greatly inspired and supported by the senior educators at her practice.

When not at work, Dr Francis tries to fight waves with surf or paddle boards (so far they always win!), is training hard to become the next MasterChef winner, and enjoys reading books and learning new languages.

Dr Christine Ahern Dr Christine Ahern MBBS FRACGP Dr Christine Ahern

Senior lecturer, Sydney University

Dr Christine Ahern has worked as a general practitioner in rural NSW since 1983, often with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her special interests include women’s health and education.

Dr Ahern is a senior lecturer at Sydney University and has previously been the Director of Training for North Coast GP Training. In 2011 she was named the General Practice Education and Training Medical Educator of the Year, a prestigious national award. Dr Ahern holds a MBBS and FRACGP.

Dr Kate Moriarty Dr Kate Moriarty FRACGP Dr Kate Moriarty

Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Dr Kate Moriarty works in private general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia, where she is also a supervisor of GP registrars and of medical students. She is a senior lecturer for UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus. She has special interests in women’s health and medical education.

She holds a Bachelor of Medicine (honours), Fellowship of the RACGP and a Diploma in Child Health.

Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors Course Chair Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors MBBS (first class honours) Assoc. Professor Debbie Kors

General practitioner and GP supervisor

Associate Professor Debbie Kors is the founder and joint owner of a private teaching general practice in Port Macquarie, Australia. She works there as a general practitioner and GP supervisor of GP registrars and medical students.

A/Prof Kors is a passionate advocate for the profession of general practice. She is a Conjoint Associate Professor in Primary Health Care at the UNSW Rural Clinical School, Port Macquarie campus and has previously worked as a senior medical educator with North Coast GP Training. In 2010, she was nominated for and won the General Practice Education and Training GP Supervisor of the Year award.

A/Prof Kors holds a MBBS (first class honours), Fellowship of the RACGP, Masters of Family Medicine (clinical), Diploma of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Graduate Diploma of Medical Education and a Certificate of Family Planning.

Other ways to study this topic

Workshop

Complete your certificate online, then build practical skills in the accompanying optional hands-on workshop.

View workshop dates

Short courses

Study selected topics from this certificate as focused, standalone short courses for targeted upskilling in under 10 hours. 

Browse short courses

HealthCert 365

Access selected content from this certificate, plus 4,000+ hours of other CPD across a wide range of clinical areas.

Start free trial

CPD accreditation and course details

CPD Accreditation and Activities

Accredited CPD activities in this certificate

Each module in this certificate is an RACGP and ACRRM approved CPD activity. The certificate provides 50 hours of CPD for medical professionals in Australia.*

RACGP Activity Number ACRRM Activity Number Activity Title Education Hours Performance Hours
455734 38381 Menstrual Irregularities 3.5 6.0
455758 38386 Breastfeeding 4.5 6.0
455717 38378 Pregnancy 1 4.0 6.0
455749 38384 Women's Health - Family Planning 1 4.0 6.0
455769 38387 Domestic Abuse 3.5 6.0
455695 38376 Sexually Transmitted Infections and Cervical Screening 5.0 6.0
455707 38377 Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome 4.5 6.0
455726 38380 Menopause 4.0 6.0
Total hours 33.0 48.0

*When the optional outcome measurement activity (minimum 5 hours) is completed. See our FAQs for more information about annual CPD requirements.

View the CPD Hours for all HealthCert Education activities.

Outcome measurement

The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our Professional Certificate of Advanced Certificate courses; they are a requirement for Australian CPD purposes.

HealthCert Education provides a variety of outcome measurements activities to suit your needs:

  • Outcome Improvement Activities relating to specific topics within a course. They are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards, and identify opportunities for improvement. These activities are accredited with RACGP and ACRRM.

  • Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic or your identified area. A generic template and guides are provided. PDSAs are self-submitted activities.

  • Additional activities with guides include Test Measurement, Pathology Results, Practice Meetings, Peer Review, Practice Accreditation, Project Management, Student Supervision, and Pick your own topics (General Practice and Log Book methods). These are self-submitted activities.

Entry Requirements

The Professional Certificate of Women's Health is tailored for medical practitioners who wish to improve patient outcomes by managing common women's health issues in general practice. This qualification is stage one of the Professional Diploma of Women’s Health.

This course is for physicians, nurse practitioners, and degree-qualified nurses. There are no prerequisites.

Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed. Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)

If you have completed the Foundation Certificate of Women's Health (now defunct), please get in touch with a HealthCert Education Advisor to receive significant savings on course fees + RPL towards the Professional Certificate course.

Further professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.

Upon successful completion of the exam, course participants will receive a Professional Certificate of Women's Health, and CPD hours.

This certificate course:

  • Is quality-assured by Bond University.

  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

  • Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

  • Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).

  • Qualifies for professional development recognition for recertification CPD towards the RANZCOG Certificate / Diploma / Advanced diploma program.

  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Hours are calculated differently.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.

  • Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada.  Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.

  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.

  • Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the first stage of the Professional Diploma of Women's Health. The education pathway is: Professional Certificate of Women's Health, Advanced Certificate of Women's Health, and Professional Diploma of Women's Health. 

You might also be interested in the HealthCert Advanced Workshop of Intrauterine Systems or the Primary Certificate of Menopause and Women's Health.

University quality-assured and CPD-accredited education provider

This organisation is an RACGP-accredited CPD provider under the RACGP CPD Program.

RACGP logo
ACRRM logo
AMA
Bond-Sep-09-2026-05-46-43-7981-AM
Griffith
IDS-1
Graz
Vienna
University of South Wales
Torrens
NSCC-2
Rila
UQ logo

Frequently asked questions

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

  • Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.

  • Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.

  • Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.

  • Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.

  • Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is listed at the top of this page. The estimated duration includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.

Cancellation policy: What happens if I can't attend a practical workshop?

Course/workshop cancellations and transfers policy

Should you be unable to attend a course or practical workshop you have registered for, please inform us asap at admin@healthcert.com so we can make your place available to waitlisted doctors.

Charges may apply for course/workshop cancellations and/or transfers. Click here for details.

What our alumni say

Join thousands of doctors who have advanced their clinical practice with our certificate courses.

Get in touch with us

Our Education Advisors can assist you with any queries and tailor your education pathway to suit your current expertise, interests and career goals.

Richard - 1

Richard Silsby

Campbel Elton

Campbell Elton

Loretta Blackborough-1

Loretta Blackborough

Adam De Barros__1

Adam De Barros

Jules Wynyard edit circle (1)

Jules Wynyard