The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) researchers have received $109,000 funding from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to look at improving outcomes for patients with pelvic trauma.
The funding comes after a previous pilot study, led by the same group of researchers, found that symptoms of bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction, commonly known as pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), are prevalent in both males and females after pelvic trauma.
That same study found 94 per cent of females and 69 per cent of males experienced clinically significant symptoms of PFD, and 60 per cent of those were TAC consumers.
“This study will aim to reduce the prevalence, as well as the severity of PFD in patients,” said chief investigator and senior physiotherapist at the RMH, Carly McConnell.
“This research will investigate the effectiveness of implementing an early screening, diagnostic and referral process for our patients.
“PFD can be really debilitating and can significantly reduce the quality of life,” she added.
Patient recruitment is expected to begin in October 2022. The trial will be run across both the RMH and the Alfred.
This grant was part of the TAC’s value-based healthcare grant program. For more information on the program, please visit the TAC website.
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