Vagenius Course Spotlighted in Primary Health Matters TAS

We were thrilled to be featured in the latest issue of Primary Health Matters Tasmania, where the spotlight was on how the Vagenius Training Course is helping GPs across the state better support patients with persistent pelvic pain.

Persistent pelvic pain affects 1 in 4 women and people assigned female at birth—yet it remains under-recognised and under-treated in general practice. That’s where our team comes in. Developed by Dr Emily Ware (Women’s Health GP), Rachel Andrew (Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist), and Colette McKiernan (Education Specialist), the Vagenius course provides 15.5 hours of trauma-informed, practical training tailored for GPs.

The article highlights how a scholarship program—generously supported by Primary Health Tasmania through Australian Government funding—opened the door for more GPs to access this much-needed education. “Now 124 GPs are doing the course. That’s nearly 20 per cent of Tasmania’s GP workforce,” Rachel shared. “It makes me emotional… we know GPs are struggling, and we want to help.”

Dr Emily Ware emphasised the gap this course fills: “It untangles the complexity of pelvic pain. It teaches GPs how to identify pain drivers, manage them in a team, and build confidence.”

The program’s reach is already changing clinical conversations. As GP Dr Natasha Vavrek said, “The course was structured, practical, and full of learning outcomes that have benefited not only me but my whole clinic.”

We’re incredibly proud to be part of an initiative that’s helping shift the landscape of women’s health care in Tasmania—and beyond.
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Read Article Here

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