The Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA) is currently investigating the creation of a separate, entry level, BCIA Certification in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction (PMD). A multidisciplinary committee of pelvic muscle dysfunction experts was assembled with the task of formulating academic, professional, didactic, and supervision requirements for a PMD Certification. The committee was also asked to delineate requirements for the grandfathering of experienced clinicians in the field. BCIA would appreciate your reviewing the PMD materials posted on our website at BCIA.org and responding to our survey.
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Original article written January 21, 2003
Dear Colleagues:
Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction (PMD)or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a specialized biofeedback treatment area, which covers elimination disorders and chronic pelvic pain syndromes. These disorders include: urinary and fecal incontinence, chronic constipation resulting from pelvic floor dyssynergia, bladder sphincter dyssynergia, pelvic floor myalgias, and vulvodynia. As you may be aware, the use of biofeedback for clients identified with these problems is enjoying support from the public and the medical community. Treatment of these diagnoses using behavioral, applied psychophysiological, and biofeedback modalities is recognized as efficacious and is possibly the most widely supported of all applications in our field.
BCIA is currently investigating the creation of a separate, entry level, BCIA Certification in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction (PMD). A multidisciplinary committee of pelvic muscle dysfunction experts was assembled with the task of formulating academic, professional, didactic, and supervision requirements for a PMD Certification. The committee was also asked to delineate requirements for the grandfathering of experienced clinicians in the field. The members of this committee are Eli Alson, PhD, BCIAC; Debbie Callif, OTR; B. J. Czarapapta, RN; Tamara Dickinson, RN; Marilyn Freedman, PT; Howard Glazer, PhD; Holly Herman, PT; Louise Marks, MS, OTR, BCIAC; Elaine Meadows, PT; John Perry, PhD; Beth Shelly, PT; Diane Smith, CRNP; Joey Spauls Smith, RNBC, BCIAC; Kelly Sparks-Evans, RN, BSN, CWOCN; Elise Stettner, MPS, PT, BCIAC; and Barbara Woolner, RN, BS, BCIAC. Additionally, Gerard A. Banez, PhD; Nanny Christie, MA, BCIAC; Lynda Kirk, MA, LPC; BCIAC; Sarah La Barbara, BA; BCIAC; Rita Steffen, MD; and Rich Sherman, PhD, BCIAC assisted the committee with their tasks.
Over the past year the committee has worked very hard and has presented the culmination of their efforts to the BCIA Board of Directors. The Board is supportive and has authorized proceeding with exploratory steps.
The next step is to assess the merits and validity of pursuing this specialty certification. Your current BCIA certification and/or your involvement in the field demonstrates your commitment to professionalism and to the necessity of establishing standards of care for the provision of biofeedback and applied psychophysiology services. It also assures that you have met basic competency in the delivery of this modality. Therefore, the members of the BCIA Board would deeply appreciate your taking the time to answer the attached questionnaire in order to assist them in determining cost-to-benefit factors regarding the PMD certification. Your opinion is vital to our proceeding with this endeavor.
Enclosed also you will find a summary of the proposed certification and grandfathering requirements and the Didactic Education Criteria based on the Blueprint of Knowledge in this field. Please use these documents to complete the questionnaire. Please fax or mail your responses to BCIA by February 15, 2003. To obtain the detailed proposed documents for certification/grandfathering requirements and the full Blueprint of Knowledge in this field, please visit our website at http://www.bcia.org . Thank you for your assistance.
Cordially, John G. Carlson, PhD Chair, BCIA Board of Directors Chair, BCIA Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Committee
Call or email BCIA for Certification Requirements, Didactic Education Outline for the Blueprint
Note: Individuals who do not hold a degree in one of the BCIA approved health care fields and/or do not hold a license, certification, or registration in the above mentioned professions or have received equivalent specialized training in anatomy and physiology other than through an accredited college/university course may be eligible for certification through a special review of credentials. Please contact BCIA for details.
BCIA PELVIC MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION (PMD) QUESTIONAIRE
Section A: Interest A1.Are you currently working in the area of PMD? Yes ____ No _____
1a. If yes, would you:
____ apply for grandfathering, if you think you meet the requirements?
____ apply for the certification?
____ not be interested in either grandfathering or certification?
If yes, how many years of experience have you had in this area? ___ 1 – 3 years ____ 4 – 6 years
____ > 6 years
1b. If no, would you:
____ definitely want to enter the PMD field and become certified?
____ consider entering the PMD field and become certified?
____ foresee never wanting to enter the PMD field?
A2.Do you think this type of certification is needed? Yes ____No _____
If yes, for what reason? (one or more)
____ to protect the public
____ to provide a multidisciplinary PMD specialty provider list for the public, other health care providers, and insurance companies
____ to insure that a basic knowledge and practice standard is established for entry level practitioners.
A3.The proposed fee for grandparenting is $295. Do you feel the value gained for certification at this fee is:
____ too expensive for the value gained.
____ appropriate for this certification.
____ would expect a higher fee for the value gained.
A4.Do you feel that BCIA is the proper host for this type of credential? Yes ____ No _____
If no, why not?
A5.Would you recommend this certification to other colleagues who do this work? Yes ____ No ____
A6.If you were certified in PMD, what benefits would you anticipate receiving?
(Check all applicable).
____ Listing in Directory of Providers ____ Web site ____ Updated information on the field
____ Other (specify) ____ Education courses
____ Referral service
Individuals working in the field or knowledgeable about the field should answer this set of questions.
Section B:Professional Responses Regarding Requirements, Grandfathering and Blueprint
Please review the outline of requirements to become certified and provide any comments you think would be helpful in this process on the requirements for certification and the blueprint.
B1. Certification: B2. Grandfathering: B3. Blueprint:
Section C.Partnership Opportunities
Please let us know how you might like to be involved in this program
____ Advisory Board position
____ Training program curriculum development
____ Training program faculty
____ Operating committees (ethics, applications review, etc.)
____ Standard setting
____ Study guide development ____ Opportunity to offer courses
____ Sponsorship
____ Supervision of candidates
____ Test creation/development
____ Development committee.
Any particular aspect?
Section D.Comments
Do you know other professionals who may wish to receive information about this program?
Yes ____ No _____
If yes, please list name, address, and e-mail if possible. Please use the remaining space to give us any additional comments and/or recommendations? Section E. Contact Information: From your interest in the program, we will provide you materials for grandfathering in this area as they are available.
Your Name: Address: Phone: Email: BCIA 10200 W 44th Avenue, #310 Wheat Ridge CO 80033 (303) 420-2902
Please return by fax to (303) 422-8894 by February 15, 2003.
©2003 by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA). No portion of this document may be reproduced in any form without the permission in writing of BCIA.