SPECULUM Workshop
Workshop Content
In our PESSARIES Intro course we teach speculum use with the focus on assessing vaginal mucosa integrity and the cervix. This training is to ensure course participants know when the vaginal muscosa appears suitable for the use of pessaries.
 
We are aware that many physiotherapists are fitting pessaries, but have not had the opportunity to learn how to do speculum examinations in the course of their pessary training elsewhere.  
 
To fill this gap, we offer a short workshop just focused on speculum training, covering assessment of vaginal muscosa, visual checking of the cervix, and refresher training of the POP-Q measures. 
 
This workshop is usually timed around other courses to reduce our travel and costs, and to keep the price of the workshop reasonable. 
 
If you would like this speculum workshop to be done in your location, please get in touch directly with Simon at [email protected]. 
Participants:
Females, males, and gender diverse health professionals are invited to take part in this workshop. To attend you must already be practicing as a pelvic health professional, be experienced in performing internal vaginal examinations, and be fitting pessaries. 'Experienced' means that you regularly perform vaginal examinations in your day-to-day clinical practice and already provide conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse, including pessaries.
  

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.

This workshop includes a practical session. We have advanced realistic silicone vaginal models (called 'Lily', after the Mt Cook native wildflower) available to practice levator ani avulsion assessments, speculum examinations, and POP-Q measures. 

We also will have speculums and lights for those who wish to use peer-to-peer learning for their practical session. If you wish to do peer-to-peer learning, it involves internal examinations with participants practicing on each other during the practical session. By using peer-to-peer learning, participants gain vital learning on how it feels to be a patient, as well as a health professional, ensuring you gain well rounded experiential learning. This course allows people of all genders an opportunity to learn from each other and gain vital, practical clinical skills. 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
Three hour in-person workshop 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:
Practical and informative course that was clinically relevant – clear instructions to objectively measure POP, assess the vaginal mucosa using speculum examinations (loved the use of speculum light!). Practical pessary fitting skills with time to practice different pessaries.
 
- Judith, Physio
I would highly recommend Melissa's pessary course and I'm so glad I attended. It provides you with knowledge and skills that you can immediately translate into your clinical work. Melissa and Simon both made for a great welcoming learning environment. If you are wanting to learn about speculum assessment and pessary fittings, this course is definitely for you!
 
- Elizabeth, Physio
Melissa is very knowledgeable, very approachable and provided a relaxed, supportive environment for learning. Well-presented course with a good balance of humour. It was great to cover speculum assessment, and the three most common pessaries used.
 

- Jamie, Physio

I found the pessary course to be an excellent addition to my previous training on pessaries. The speculum examination training was the highlight for me as this was covered to a very high standard and I feel so much more confident about this skill now within my scope of practice. The practical and administrative side of managing pessaries within my practice was also invaluable. Melissa presents in a down to earth way and her excellent sense of humour was so important in keeping everyone feeling comfortable especially throughout the practical sessions. Highly recommend.
 
- Michelle, Physio
This is the course to do if you want to up your pessary game! It's hugely practical from speculum exams, sizing and insertion/removal technique to setting up how to launch a service and comply with the most up to date practice and procedural guidelines. It's a long weekend course but I didn't get tired at all, Melissa has a really relaxed, humorous and engaging style and the pace allows you to absorb it all nicely. Regardless of where you are on your pessary journey, you'd learn something! I'd highly recommend this course.
 
- Lynne, Physio
Additional Information:
No catering 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!
Investment:

Full course fees:

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

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

Join the waiting list for 2026
This course will next be running in 2026 with dates in New Zealand and Australia. Register for the waiting list below. 
Click here to register for the waiting list for New Zealand
Click here to register for the waiting list for Australia