Section on Women's Health - American Physical Therapy Association (SOWH)

Overview:

Profession(s): Physical Therapy
Member Type(s): PTs, PTAs
Scope: National - United States
Formed: 1977
Members: 2,500
Address: Section on Women's Health, APTA, P.O. Box 327 , Alexandria, VA , 22313, USA
Phone: 703-706-3232
Website: www.womenshealthapta.org

Description:

The Section on Women's Health is a component of The American Physical Therapy Association focused on all aspects of health care for women across the lifespan. We are members of the International Organization of Women's Health PTs and WCPT.

Mission/Aims:

The Section on Women's Health is dedicated to the improvement of women's health worldwide through a commitment to excellence in physical therapy. We facilitate education, mentorship, advocacy and research in an atmosphere of respect, integrity, creativity, and empowerment.

Principal Activities:

Participation in two major conferences each year including one, the Combined Sections Meeting, that is primarily educational for anyone interested in women's health or other PT related areas.

14-16 Continuing Education courses

Movement toward a specialty examination in Women's Health care for PTs.

Member Benefits:

3 journals and 3 newsletters per year.

Electronic newsletter every other month.

Reduced prices for continuing ed opportunities.

Leadership and mentoring opportunities.

Training/Licensing/Certification:

Continuing Ed courses each year in areas that include pelvic floor evaluation and intervention, Orthopedic procedures for pregnant and pospartum clients, myofascial techniques.

CAPP program that will lead to a certificate of achievement in areas of PT Practice. The first CAPP that is now available is the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy.

Movement toward ABPTS Specialization in Women's Health. Hope to have first exam in 2008.

Affiliations:

Associations to which we are a member:
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
International Organization of Women's Health Physical Therapists (IOPTWH)
World Confederation of PTS (WCPT)

Verification Criteria:

Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants must first and foremost be graduates of accredited PT or PTA programs and must pass appropriate licensure examinations.

We, to date, have no specific licensure to practice in women's health care, but many professionals practicing in this area have the various certificates of training to show attendance at a variety of programs.