SPECULUM Workshop
Content
We are aware that many physiotherapists are fitting pessaries, but have not had the opportunity to learn how to do speculum examinations to assess the vagina mucosa for the suitability of pessary management.
 
To fill this gap, we offer a short workshop just focused on speculum training, covering assessment of vaginal mucosa integrity, visual checking of the cervix, and some refresher training of the POP-Q measures and levator ani avulsion palpation assessments using our unique silicone vagina model 'Lily'.  
 
This workshop is usually timed around other courses to keep the price of the workshop reasonable. It is usually offered on the same day before the PESSARIES Advanced course to enable those who need to attend both courses easy travel options in the main centres. 
 
If you would like to host this speculum workshop at your location outside of the scheduled list, please get in touch directly with Simon at [email protected].  Hosting is simple - you provide the venue, we bring everything with us!
If you do not currently assess the vaginal muscosa using speculums, I recommend you complete the Speculum Workshop prior to completing the PESSARIES Advanced Course to ensure you are fully up to speed with speculum exams.
 

If you have completed our PESSARIES Intro Course, you will already have covered all the information about speculum examinations you need. You DO NOT need to do the speculum workshop as well.

Participants:
To attend this course, you must already be practicing as a pelvic health professional and experienced in performing internal vaginal examinations with patients.  'Experienced' means that you regularly perform vaginal examinations in your day-to-day clinical practice and already provide conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse.If you have just started out in the field of pelvic health, I recommend you gain more experience before completing this advanced course.
 

You must be a registered health professional in good standing in your home country. Registration must be with the appropriate health professional board such as Physiotherapy Board of NZ, AHPRA boards in Australia, Osteopathic Council of NZ, The Nursing Council of NZ, Medical Council of NZ, etc.

Females, males, and gender diverse health professionals are invited to take part in this course.

Practical Sessions

This course includes practical sessions. We have advanced realistic silicone vaginal models available to practice levator ani avulsion assessments, and speculum examinations on. 

We also have speculums and speculum lights available for those who wish to use peer-to-peer learning for their practical session (a common practice with physiotherapists in all fields). If you wish to do peer-to-peer learning, it involves internal examinations with participants practicing on each other during the practical session. If you have specific requirements around genders, culture, trauma history, or something else during peer-to-peer learning, this will be taken into account so you are completely comfortable if you wish to take part.

Informed consent is discussed in detail on the course, and you will have the ability to consent or not consent to internal examination at the time of the assessments if you choose to take part in peer-to-peer learning.

You can also choose to combine using the silicone model and peer-to-peer learning, its up to you.

Format
We have added to the workshop our on-line learning videos of all the speculum information so you can watch prior to the practical session so your brain isn't bursting on the day!
 
The three hour in-person workshop will reinforce this information and provide time for a practical session of all the information.
 
The course is offered in various locations depending on demand. 
Presenters:
Dr Melissa Davidson
Dr Melissa Davidson is the only registered Specialist Physiotherapist in Pelvic Health in New Zealand. Alongside more than three decades of clinical practice, Melissa has extensive post graduate qualifications including a PhD in Bioengineering, research Masters from The University of Melbourne, a Diploma in Advanced Orthopaedic Manipulations from Canada, and Post Graduate Certificates in Physiotherapy in both Pelvic Floor and Acupuncture. She also has a Certificate in Health Science and is a Certified Health Coach. She is registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand under Specialist Scope of Practice and is a long-term member of Physiotherapy New Zealand. She is the immediate past President of the International Organisation of Physiotherapists in Pelvic and Women's Health. Melissa is the lead author on the 'Pessary Management Recommendations for New Zealand Pelvic Health Physiotherapists', designed in consultation with content experts in physiotherapy, gynaecology, and general practice.
Simon Smith
Simon is the CTO (Chief Technology Officer) and Co-Founder of Dr Melissa Davidson Pelvic Health Training. Simon uses his business and management experience to work behind the scenes dealing with the business systems of physiotherapy practices. He provides one-on-one international business consultancy with private practice owners to improve their businesses processes, cash flow, efficiency, and at the same time reduce the owners' (and employees') stress levels.
What people are saying about our speculum training:
"This course offers an important missing link to pessary fitting in Australia. A must for all clinicians fitting pessary."
 
- Genevieve, Physiotherapist
"The speculum component of the workshop was incredibly valuable. I had been looking for practical training in this area for some time, and it was great to finally find a course that provided clear, hands-on guidance within a supportive learning environment. It really helped build my skills and knowledge!"
 
- Adela, Physiotherapist
"Perfect course to update on speculum use and POPQ assessment. Melissa is professional, knowledgeable and entertaining!"
 
- Bronwyn, Physiotherapist
"This was a great introduction to using speculums. A good practical session which was really helpful."
 
- Amy, Physiotherapist
"This was a wonderful course providing both the theoretical basis for speculum use, within a practitioner's scope of practice, as well as the knowledge and practical application to feel confident in completing these examinations clinically. Adequate time for questions and practice was provided, and supervised feedback really informative and helpful to optimise technique and patient and therapist comfort and technique."
 
- Simone, Physiotherapist
"The speculum workshop allowed me to refine my speculum skills and the peer to peer learning provided valuable learning opportunities . It's not often that such a workshop is offered anywhere else for physiotherapists."
 
- Valerie, Physiotherapist
"Melissa was an excellent presenter providing evidence based education and learning. Her clinical expertise was also evident."
 
- Melissa, Physiotherapist
"I have attended 3 of Melissa's courses now. She brings the perfect balance of professionalism, humour and sensitivity. She endeavours to bring the most up to date research / evidence and supports you to apply it clinically. Her courses are a safe and supportive learning environment. Thanks Melissa."
 
- Stephanie, Physiotherapist
"I was very impressed by how Melissa held everyone's attention for the entire length of the course. It is no easy job to keep a group of people focused on a subject but she did an excellent job. Everyone remained engaged and committed to learning and the atmosphere in the room was very positive. Nice to be part of such a positive experience"
 
- Fiona, Physiotherapist
"A very practical course with opportunity for feedback and supervision from Melissa for learning the basic technique of speculum examinations. Lots of helpful, clinically relevant tips provided - ready to implement back in the clinic."
 
- Andrea, Physiotherapist
"Hugely supportive and felt warm and comfortable to ask lots of questions"
 
- Rebekah, Physiotherapist
"Melissa is an expert in pelvic health and advancing pelvic health skills for our profession."
 
- Victoria, Physiotherapist
"I really enjoyed Melissa's speculum course. It was highly practical, covered a range of techniques and options, and was delivered in an engaging and enjoyable way. I feel much more confident in my assessment skills and look forward to applying this knowledge in clinical practice."
 
- Jewel, Physiotherapist
"Melissa is a fubulous fun and very practical presenter! Simon is amazing in the background!"
 
- Jennifer, Physiotherapist
Additional Information:
No catering or break is provided on this workshop - we are trying to fit as much learning into a short time frame. You are welcome to bring snacks with you if you need something to help your brain think on the go!
Investment:

The course fee includes the following:
+ Ongoing support in a private forum for the first 12 months after the course is completed.
+ LIVE 'Question and Answer' sessions each month with Melissa for 12 months after the course is completed. The 'Q and A' session is only covering content directly related to the course. If you need further support please join Pelvic Health Connect, our online mentoring group. 

We provide the above to ensure this course provides a 'wrap around' support for you in your learning to ensure you are competent in pessary management.

This course is not eligible for a cashback discount for Pelvic Health CONNECT members.

Full course fees:

New Zealand locations - NZ$295 including GST for the three hour workshop. 

Australian locations - AUD$295 for the three hour workshop.

Choose your course location and date below
For September 2026, we will be driving from Adelaide to Melbourne to Sydney. We will be offering the Pessaries Intro, Speculum Workshop and Pessaries Advanced courses in the main cities on the weekends. These locations will have silicone model learning and peer-to-peer learning available at each location.
 

We will be offering Pessaries Advanced practical sessions mid-week in regional centres between Adelaide to Sydney. These will be limited to silicone model learning only (NO peer-to-peer learning) due to venue and time restrictions. Depending on demand and venue location, Speculum Workshop with peer-to-peer learning may be offered mid-week in the regional towns.

For October/November 2026, we will be driving from Brisbane to Townsville and back with Pessaries Intro, Speculum Workshop and Pessaries Advanced courses in Brisbane and Townsville on the weekends. These locations will have silicone model learning and peer-to-peer learning available at each location.

We will be offering Pessaries Advanced practical sessions mid-week in regional centres between Brisbane and Townsville. These will be limited to silicone model learning only (NO peer-to-peer learning) due to venue and time restrictions. Depending on demand and venue location, Speculum Workshop with peer-to-peer learning may be offered mid-week in the regional towns.

In March 2027, we will be offering Pessaries Intro, Speculum Workshop and Pessaries Advanced courses in Perth on the weekend. This location will have silicone model learning and peer-to-peer learning available. We will be offering Pessaries Advanced practical sessions mid-week in regional centres while doing a southern route to and from Perth (Perth to Albany, then east to Esperance, then north to Kalgoorlie, and west back to Perth). These will be limited to silicone model learning only (NO peer-to-peer learning) due to venue and time restrictions. Depending on demand and venue location, Speculum Workshop with peer-to-peer learning may be offered mid-week in the regional towns.

In summary : weekend courses will offer both peer-to-peer learning and the silicone model options for practicals. Midweek courses will only offer the silicone model for practical learning.

Please check your location and the learning style available in that location carefully to ensure you understand your options fully, before you register!

City
Venue*
Speculum Workshop
Adelaide
Sunday 6 September
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Buy this course
AUD295
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
South Australia/Victoria Regional
Midweek 7-11 September 2026
Between Adelaide and Melbourne
Venues TBC
Register your interest
Silicone model practicals only
Melbourne
Sunday 13 September
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Buy this course
AUD295
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
Victoria/NSW Regional
Midweek 14 -18 September 2026
Between Melbourne and Sydney
Venues TBC
Register your interest
Silicone model practicals only
Sydney
Sunday 20 September
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Buy this course
AUD295
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
Brisbane
Sunday 1 November 2026
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Buy this course
AUD295
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
Queensland Regional
Midweek 2 - 6 November & 9 -13 November 2026
Between Brisbane and Townsville 
Venues TBC
Register your interest
Silicone model practicals only
Townsville
Sunday 8 November 2026
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Buy this course
AUD295
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
2027 Courses
Perth
Sunday 14 March 2027
8.00am - 11.00am
Venue TBC
Register your interest
Peer-to-peer + silicone model practicals
Western Australia Regional
15 - 22 March 2027
Heading south from Perth to Albany, then east to Esperance, then north to Kalgoorlie, and west back to Perth.
Venues TBC
Register your interest
Silicone model practicals only
* When venues are confirmed, we'll update this page and also advise you via email. If you are interested in hosting a course at your clinic, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. Hosting is simple - you provide the venue, we bring everything with us!