1. MEDpiNET: 2018 Women’s Health CRN Annual Meeting
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Patient Perspectives, Policy Objectives
Sherrie Palm
Association for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Support

2. Disclosures:
I have no actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this presentation or program.

3. What is APOPS? What does APOPS do? Founded in 2010
Following in 177 countries
Women mid-teens through end of life
What does APOPS do?
Increase POP Awareness
Provide guidance and support to women with POP
Bridge build with key stakeholders to advance POP directives

4. Bridge all sectors in POP Arena for betterment of POP understanding & evolution
APOPS
Patients
Clinicians
Academia
Industry
Policy Makers
Research

5. ~PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE~ Next Significant Shift in Women’s Health Directives
1 in 2 women are estimated to experience POP
Misconceptions are abundant in the POP arena

6. POP impacts every aspect of women’s lives
Physical
Emotional
Social
Sexual
Fitness
Employment

7. What do women want? How do women feel?
Angry
Anxious
Fearful
Frustrated
What do women want from their physicians?
To be believed, respected, supported and told the truth
“Don’t treat me like I’m some kind of web-browsing, self-diagnosing, wackadoo, hypochondriac. I know my own body, I’ve had it my whole life.” APOPS Forum patient feedback

8. Compounding Factors
Recognize difference between clinical guidelines and patient reality
Adapt measures based on true need

9. Currently no Standardized offerings to women

10. Advancing POP Research & Policy is Pivotal
SHROUDS POP IN SILENCE
Advancing POP Research & Policy is Pivotal
Clarify POP reality vs misconception
Substantiate POP prevalence
Initiate early screening and detection
Clarify need to advance dx clinician curriculum
Validate value of standing screen

11. Don’t Build a Wellness Protocol, Create a Culture
Pelvic organ prolapse is not an American women’s health issue, it is a global women’s health pandemic.

12. www.pelvicorganprolapsesupport.org sjpalm@wi.rr.com 262-441-0488