Pelvic Floor Netherlands

Pelvic Floor Netherlands is a Dutch foundation working on an optimal care for patients with pelvic floor problems. We do this by promoting a multidisciplinary approach to pelvic floor pathology. Our activities are based on transfer of information and on sharing knowledge between different disciplines. Pelvic Floor Netherlands wants to be a co-ordinating foundation for the national health care in the field of pelvic floor pathology. Internationally we want to be a model for multidisciplinary organisations in the world. We want to stimulate the disciplines to consult each other and to share their specific knowledge.

Members

The disciplines that are represented within Pelvic Floor Netherlands are: anatomist, colorectal surgeon, physiotherapist. gastro-enterologist, gynaecologist, general practitioner, incontinence nurse, paediatrician, clinical neurophysiologist, psychologist, urologist, midwife.

At this moment there are more than 500 care givers supporting the activities of Pelvic Floor Netherlands.

Research

We initiate research projects on pelvic floor pathology and on the multidisciplinary approach. One project deals with the possibility of preventing pelvic floor problems by giving pelvic floor muscle exercises during pregnancy. Another project develops a strategy for delivering information about pelvic floor problems to patients. This is a combined project of care givers and patients. Our research committee can help investigators in setting up protocols and by organising multidisciplinary, multicenter trials.

Education

We are involved in and setting up education programs for physiotherapist, general practitioners and medical specialists. These educational programs are set up to elucidate the role of the pelvic floor in specific complaints like urinary incontinence. This almost unidisciplinary approach is combined with a program on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. Every year two meetings are organised. Last year the subjects were: "The overactive bladder and the underactive pelvic floor" and "Talking about sexual function, dysfunction and trauma".

Journal

All members of Pelvic Floor Netherlands receive an issue of the International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, 6 times a year.

International activities

Pelvic Floor Netherlands has initiated the ICS Pelvic Floor Clinical Assessment Group. This is an international, multidisciplinary group that started in 1998 to make a report on terminology and standardisation of pelvic floor pathology. This group is chaired by the chairman of Pelvic Floor Netherlands. The document on pelvic floor terminology is ready in concept and will be presented to the ICS this year.

Patient foundation

On the initiative of Pelvic Floor Netherlands the 'Society of pelvic floor patients' will start in September 2000. This society will take care of the patients need for healthcare, social contacts and information. The co-operation with Pelvic Floor Netherlands will yield a platform for pelvic floor care in all its aspects. This platform will be a body the government and the insurance companies will be talking to.

Bert Messelink