Free pelvic floor physiotherapy? Pilot project on P.E.I. works to make that possible

A one-year pilot program will bring pelvic floor physiotherapy to Islanders who are under-insured or don't have insured coverage at all. 

This provincially funded program launched on Tuesday will be run through the P.E.I. Physiotherapy Association. 

The president of the association, Sheila MacMurdo, said people shy away from talking about their pelvic floor health but they shouldn't, adding: "It's a super important topic."

MacMurdo said not seeking treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction can have major implications on a person's quality of life. For example, they can find it hard to urinate or have a bowel movement; they can find it difficult to have intercourse; or they could suffer from chronic pain. 

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"If you don't have insurance, it really can be cost prohibitive... Our mandate has always been equitable access for Islanders. So we wanted to leverage this amazing resource, this expertise that we already have existing in the province to provide the service for Islanders," MacMurdo said. 

Pelvic floor physiotherapy requires specialized training that only three publicly funded physiotherapists had before this program, all located in Charlottetown. That made it challenging for some Islanders to access free care. There were 12 other pelvic floor physiotherapists across the province, but they weren't in the public system and charged for their services.  

MacMurdo said the three public-system physiotherapists were merely "a drop in the bucket when we talk about provincewide who needs this service." 

Different treatment for everyone

Cornwall-based pelvic floor physiotherapy Paige Martin said pelvic floor issues can affect people regardless of age and gender.

"We've got over 180,000 people in this province and all of them have pelvises," Martin said.

At her clinic, she and another physiotherapist treat more than 800 patients a year. 

Martin said it is common for people to not know what to expect when coming to a pelvic floor physiotherapist. 

"What treatment may look like is different for everybody and the conditions that they present with," Martin said. 

Care within reach 

P.E.I. Minister of Health and Wellness Mark McLane said in a news release that he is proud of the program, which he said reflects the values of the provincial government. 

"This program helps close a healthcare gap by making essential pelvic health care more accessible to Islanders," McLane was quoted as saying.  

This program helps close a health-care gap by making essential pelvic health care more accessible to Islanders.— Mark McLane

When it comes to accessing these services, MacMurdo said patients won't have to jump through any major hoops. 

After seeing their nurse practitioner or physician and getting a diagnosis, patients would receive a referral form with a list of the participating clinics and physiotherapists. 

"Luckily, we have clinics that are located really beautifully spaced geographically — so Tignish to Montague," MacMurdo said. 

People without a primary care provider can still access these services, by seeking a referral through Maple or a walk-in clinic.