This program provides essential knowledge to health professionals managing patients with subfertility or patients looking for more understanding about their reproductive health.

Australian Family Physician Publication 'Management of the Infertile Couple' asks "is the woman ovulating?" and refers to the importance of women recognising the presence of cervical mucus which can be done through use of the Billings Ovulation Method [1].

In fact, an Australian study found that 92% of women attending General Practice felt that fertility awareness education should be received when a couple first reports trouble conceiving [2].

Interestingly General Practitioners were one of the main resources women turned to for fertility awareness education. The same study found that attendance to a GP did not significantly improve their fertility awareness [2]. This is likely because GP's and other health professionals are not taught this through standard training. Some Health Practitioners may have been taught the "rhythm method", the basis of many common fertility apps. However this is not considered an effective method [3]. Menstrual cycle lengths can vary greatly and modern fertility awareness methods can assist a couple to recognise their fertile window even with very irregular cycles [3] or when menstruation is absent for example while breastfeeding [4].

This course will be delivered in Perth on the 28th and 29th of March 2025. The program is suitable for all interested health professionals and discounts are available for students. It is accredited by RACGP for 14.5 CPD hours (6.5 Educational Activity/ 8.0 Reviewing Performance).

References:

1: McLachlan, R., Howlett, D., Kovacs, G., & Yazdani, A. (2005). Management of the infertile couple. Australian Family Physician, 34(3), 111–113, 115–117. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.369740716480617

2. Hampton, K., & Mazza, D. (2015). Fertility-awareness knowledge, attitudes and practices of women attending general practice. Australian Family Physician, 44(11), 840–845. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.585862012716055

3. Hampton, K., & Newton, J. (2016). Assisting women to conceive: A clinical update on fertility-awareness. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 24(1), 24–26. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.161863065545580

4. Billings, E.L. & Billings, J.J. (1997). Teaching the Billings Method Part 2: variations of the cycle and reproductive health. Melbourne, Australia: OMR&RCA

Billings Ovulation Method: Teacher Training Course RACGP CPD Activity

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