COURSE OVERVIEW

The Primary Certificate of Menopause and Women’s Health equips medical practitioners with the knowledge to manage the breadth of menopause-related symptoms often seen in older female patients in the primary care setting.

Delivered by a leading expert, the online course explores the diagnosis and management of perimenopause and menopause, including best practice guidelines for prescribing menopausal hormone therapy. You will also learn to manage premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as health risks and issues extending beyond the menopause, including urogenital issues, osteoporosis, cardiovascular risk, cognitive decline, depression, and persistent vasomotor symptoms.

This Primary Certificate course allows you to gain an insight into the HealthCert Professional Diploma of Women’s Health program by exploring one of the most prevalent topics in the field. Should you wish to fast-track your studies and receive financial credit into further courses, you may complete this Primary Certificate course and receive partial Recognition of Prior Learning and cost savings towards the Professional Certificate of Women’s Health, which is stage one of the three-part Professional Diploma program in Women’s Health (quality-assured by Bond University).

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

This course is for medical practitioners who wish to support their female patients with menopausal concerns in primary care.

This course is for physicians and degree-qualified health professionals. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field. 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.

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.

COURSE CONTENTS

  • Menopause
  • Post-menopause health issues
  • Premature ovarian insufficiency

Course participants will:

  • Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
  • Participate in discussion of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
  • Have all presentation slides available for download.
  • Participate in course webinar prior to the examinations and ask questions.
  • Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.
  • Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review

MODULES & TOPICS

This module gives comprehensive information about the definitions, features and underlying causes of menopause and discusses the typical process and duration for each of the four stages: perimenopausal, menopausal, early postmenopausal and late postmenopausal. Methods for assessment and differential diagnosis of menopausal symptoms are outlined, including indications for further investigation. Four management options are addressed: lifestyle modifications, “natural” or complementary therapies, non-hormone pharmaceutical options and menopause hormone therapy (MHT). It covers existing research for complementary therapies and identifies potential benefits and limitations. Different types of MHT are reviewed including potential benefits and risks, safety considerations, and testing methods based on current evidence. It also acknowledges potential contraindications for MHT and statistics that suggest a lack of observable effectiveness in treating certain health conditions. In conclusion, the module outlines effective courses of action for adjusting treatment and managing complications.

As estrogen deficiency begins to dominate in post menopause and women may experience health issues and escalated risks. This module examines the aetiology, compounding factors and socioeconomic burden, and considers the medical and complementary management of osteoporosis, genito-urinary syndrome, mood disorders and cardiovascular disease. It provides an outline of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis and fragility fractures. It discusses the tools to assess fracture risk as well as the criteria for, and interpretation of, DXA scans. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy are also considered. general care, non-hormonal measures and the role of topical or systemic estrogen therapy. Gentio-urinary syndrome caused by the hypogenic state of post menopause is discussed. The importance of a mental health assessment for post-menopausal women is emphasised including risk factors and management of depression and anxiety. The module concludes with an overview of cardiovascular disease, the risk factors (including the impact of estrogen deficiency), and the evidence and parameters for hormone therapy.

In the first unit of this module definitions of early and premature menopause are given. Risk factors and causes of spontaneous POI are listed. Iatrogenic POI, caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery is mentioned. Information about clinical presentations of POI, diagnosis criteria, patient history, examinations, investigations and ongoing monitoring are listed in unit 2. Health consequences may include psychological distress, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction and other health concerns. Finally, management of POI from initiating care and coordinating care (may include a multidisciplinary approach. Information is provided on managing symptoms of menopause, sexual health difficulties and psychological issues. When managing patients with this condition, consideration needs to be given regarding prevention of bone loss, osteoporosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Menopause

This module gives comprehensive information about the definitions, features and underlying causes of menopause and discusses the typical process and duration for each of the four stages: perimenopausal, menopausal, early postmenopausal and late postmenopausal. Methods for assessment and differential diagnosis of menopausal symptoms are outlined, including indications for further investigation. Four management options are addressed: lifestyle modifications, “natural” or complementary therapies, non-hormone pharmaceutical options and menopause hormone therapy (MHT). It covers existing research for complementary therapies and identifies potential benefits and limitations. Different types of MHT are reviewed including potential benefits and risks, safety considerations, and testing methods based on current evidence. It also acknowledges potential contraindications for MHT and statistics that suggest a lack of observable effectiveness in treating certain health conditions. In conclusion, the module outlines effective courses of action for adjusting treatment and managing complications.

Module 2: Post-menopause health issues

As estrogen deficiency begins to dominate in post menopause and women may experience health issues and escalated risks. This module examines the aetiology, compounding factors and socioeconomic burden, and considers the medical and complementary management of osteoporosis, genito-urinary syndrome, mood disorders and cardiovascular disease. It provides an outline of the risk factors associated with osteoporosis and fragility fractures. It discusses the tools to assess fracture risk as well as the criteria for, and interpretation of, DXA scans. Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy are also considered. general care, non-hormonal measures and the role of topical or systemic estrogen therapy. Gentio-urinary syndrome caused by the hypogenic state of post menopause is discussed. The importance of a mental health assessment for post-menopausal women is emphasised including risk factors and management of depression and anxiety. The module concludes with an overview of cardiovascular disease, the risk factors (including the impact of estrogen deficiency), and the evidence and parameters for hormone therapy.

Module 3: Premature ovarian insufficiency

In the first unit of this module definitions of early and premature menopause are given. Risk factors and causes of spontaneous POI are listed. Iatrogenic POI, caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery is mentioned. Information about clinical presentations of POI, diagnosis criteria, patient history, examinations, investigations and ongoing monitoring are listed in unit 2. Health consequences may include psychological distress, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, sexual dysfunction and other health concerns. Finally, management of POI from initiating care and coordinating care (may include a multidisciplinary approach. Information is provided on managing symptoms of menopause, sexual health difficulties and psychological issues. When managing patients with this condition, consideration needs to be given regarding prevention of bone loss, osteoporosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

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COURSE FEES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

UPFRONT PAYMENT

Single course

$1,795

Two-Course Bundle*

$3,410

Three-Course Bundle*

$4,840
*Special rates for upfront registrations for multiple courses within the same pathway.
DEFERRED PAYMENT

Single course 

$640 x 3 

Two-Course Bundle

$605 x 6

Three-Course Bundle

$645 x 8 
 Defer your payments over several months.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

GP REGISTRARS: Doctors in training who are on a pathway to General Practice Registration through a recognised training provider receive a HealthCert Scholarship and save $500 on face-to-face certificate courses (two-day practical workshops) and $300 on online and hybrid certificate courses (one-day practical workshop with supporting online theory). This offer cannot be used in conjunction with the Early Bird special.

Meet your instructor

Your instructor is a noted specialist in women's health.
debbie_kors

A/Prof Debbie Kors

MBBS (first class honours)

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.

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

The Primary Certificate of Menopause and Women's Health is delivered fully online. The course consists of three modules and includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making.

There are two online examinations for assessment:

  1. Knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
    Choose the correct answer multiple choice questions based on presentations.
  2. Authentic scenario-based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic.
    Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem… What should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.
The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course. Examination questions are presented progressively throughout the course.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

MCMWH certificate imageUpon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Primary Certificate of Menopause and Women's Health and below points. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 CPD points.
ACRRM PDP hours: 16 Educational activity, 7 Performance review & 6 MOPs O&G

 

This primary certificate:
  • Is a self-submitted activity for CPD points from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Is a self-submitted activity for points from the Australian Council of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses
    endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
  • Has been independently developed with subject specialists and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

Pathway to the Professional Certificate of Women's Health

This online three-part program consists of the Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, and Professional Diploma of Women’s Health. Entry to the full three-part Professional Diploma of Women's Health pathway (Professional Certificate, Advanced Certificate, Professional Diploma) is possible with partial Recognition of Prior Learning from this Primary Certificate. This will reduce the time it takes to complete the full pathway.

Postgraduate scholarships from the Professional Diploma of Women's Health

HealthCert graduates who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Diploma of Women's Health three-part program receive a scholarship of up to £500 (approximately $1,000) towards the Master of Science in Women's Health. The postgraduate course is offered entirely online through DiplomaMSc in the UK and awarded by the University of South Wales. Ask an Education Advisor for more details.