Ministry of Health and Ministry of education has recognized Urogynaecology as an important subspeciality programme that needs to be developed urgently in our country. With more women seeking health care services for pelvic floor dysfunction coupled with an exponential rise of the nation’s aging population, the demand for urogynaecology services will increase. It is therefore paramount that a structured programme in urogynaecology is developed in order to train specialists with particular knowledge, skills and experience when dealing with patients with pelvic floor dysfunction.
The aims of this Urogynaecology Fellowship Programme are:
1. to expand the Urogynaecology services and to optimise patient care.
2. to improve urogynaecology training for Gynaecologists
3. To encourage and develop a multidisciplinary approach when managing complex urogynaecology cases with urology, colorectal and rehabilitation teams.
The programme consists of a module which is specific to Urogynaecology. In order to complete the module, a thorough understanding of the basic sciences including anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the pelvic floor is imperative. This includes the correlation of pelvic floor and urinary problems with pregnancy, parturition, aging and menopause. Condition to be familiar with in this module includes:
- Pelvic organ prolapse, both primary and recurrent
- Urodynamic stress incontinence
- Detrusor overactivity/Overactive bladder syndrome
- Voiding disorders and urinary retention
- Pelvic pain
- Lower genitourinary tract fistula
- Painful bladder syndrome
- Effect of pelvic surgery and irradiation to the genitourinary, bowel and pelvic floor
- Urinary disorders in pregnancy
- Urethral lesions, e.g. diverticulae
- Evaluation and care of the elderly/frail
- Lesions in the central nervous system affecting urinary, faecal control and pelvic floor
- Difficult defecation/Obstructive defecation syndrome
- Disorders of lower gastrointestinal tract function including incontinence and motility
- Obstetrics anal sphincter injury (OASIS)
- Hormone deficiency states
- Urinary problems secondary to medical disorders and drugs
- Sexual dysfunction
Academic qualification and prerequisites
- Require a Master degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MOG) or Membership of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist (MRCOG) or equivalent degree recognized by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
- Candidate should complete minimum of 2 years of service (after gazettement) in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology post as O&G Specialist.
Application procedure
All application should be made directly to the Head of Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Malaya trough the Director of University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).
Each applicant should name TWO (2) referees as follows:
- The candidate’s present Head of Department
- An O&G Consultant under whom he or she has worked for at least six months.
To optimize the training in the programme, the trainee will be allocated to a designated consultant (Urogynaecologist) and included in the team system to ease the conduct of duties as well of monitoring of progress.
1. Clinical responsibilities
1.1 General Gynaecology Ward/in-patient
a. In-patient care
b. Patients counselling
c. In-patient Urogynaecology Referral
1.2 General Gynaecology/ Urogynaecology Clinic
1.3 Urogynaecology Daycare Unit
1.4 Operating theatre
1.5 Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy service
1.6 Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting
1.7 On-call duties
1.8 Case summary and write-ups
2. Academic responsibilities
2.1 Seminars and workshops
2.2 Teaching
3. Administrative responsibilities
3.1 Meetings
3.2 Audits and database
4. Research responsibilities