Women's Health Summit:

9.55AM - 10.50AM (AEST) : 45 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Ruth will draw on her personal journey of over 50 years in health care to illustrate the changing ways that patients and practitioners have negotiated the clinical experience since the 1970s when she started general nurse training. Using a combination of anecdotes and case histories, she will outline some of her ideas on how today’s practitioner can successfully work in the information age and in the era of increasing litigation. 

10.50AM - 11.35AM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Adult acne is a complex, multifactorial condition that causes a lot of distress and confusion for the patient. The average age of presentation is 24 years old, making it mainly an adult skin condition. We are starting to shift the narrative away from ‘hormonal acne’ as the leading driver, to understanding that all acne is actually an inflammatory cascade of events with many different root causes. 

This presentation will provide a clear framework of treatment for the first 2-3 sessions with your client. We will be discussing why the foundations need to be addressed, before moving onto functional pathology testing, detoxification and drainage techniques. Learning how to be ‘inflammation hunting’ and identifying the root cause will improve outcomes and confidence in your day to day practice. 

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Framework for first 2-3 appointments
• How to assess patient for root cause/s
• Foundations in diet and lifestyle
• Blood pathology and areas to address
• When to order private testing
• Nutrients/herbs for consideration
• Differential diagnosis between acne and overgrowths 

11.45AM - 12.30PM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

In this session Michelle will discuss emerging evidence-based insights in women’s health, focusing on the critical phases of midlife from about 35-40 to 60-65 years of age. She will discuss the important role natural health clinicians can play in optimising health for prevention of chronic disease and to promote healthy ageing, by recognising the vulnerable window of health challenges faced by women during this stage of life.  

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES 

• Understand midlife women in today’s demographic.
• Discover current and emerging health concerns for women during the critical phases of midlife.
• Identify the natural health clinician’s important role in optimising health for midlife women in chronic disease prevention and promotion of healthy ageing.

1.25PM - 2.10PM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

The story of women and heart disease has for too long been mystery fiction, where the protagonist works to uncover the meaning or secret behind an unknown event, often a scary crime such as murder. In the story of women and their hearts, there are slow-building tensions, missed opportunities, flashbacks and then a surprise, “mysterious” illness. The plot twist is that we know enough that it shouldn’t be secret or unknown, or even a surprise; it is cardiovascular disease.  

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for women, responsible for more than twice as many deaths as breast cancer, yet it is often under-recognised by both women and healthcare professionals. Further, women are under-assessed, under-treated, under-diagnosed and, unsurprisingly, have worse CVD outcomes compared to men.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this session we’ll unravel the story of women and heart disease across life-stages and events after which participants will:

• Understand women’s CVD pathophysiology
• Know the key reproductive stages and conditions that are associated with increased CVD risk
• Recognise clinical features of women’s CVD
• Be inspired to keep learning about women’s CVD

Meaning they’ll feel confident to,

• Explore women’s medical her-stories, knowing the clues to look for, and to
• Be ready to advocate for better heart health for women!

2.10PM - 2.55PM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Over the last 20 years there has been an exponential increase in the amount of people diagnosed as autistic, with a 4:1 ratio often quoted for male vs female prevalence. Whilst the proportion of autistic women whose diagnosis is missed remains unknown, research indicates that for women who are diagnosed as autistic, 80% receive their diagnosis after the age of 18. Not only are autistic women more likely to be identified late, they are also more likely to be misdiagnosed first or have their autism diagnosis missed completely. This may be due to a variety of factors including the specific features of the proposed ‘female autism phenotype’, a lack of representation within popular culture of autistic women, a fear of the stigma that may accompany an autism diagnosis and also a reflection of the gaps remaining within the systems that are designed to identify and support autistic people. In addition, many autistic women describe strategies such as masking, camouflaging and ‘pretending to be normal’, also known as assimilation, consciously or unconsciously supressing natural responses and adopting alternate behaviours across a range of domains including social interaction, sensory experience, cognition, movement, and behaviour.

This 35 minute discussion is designed to inform and educate practitioners who provide supports to autistic women and girls, or are interested in becoming more affirmative in their practice, and are unsure of where to begin. We will discuss the female autism phenotype theory, review commonly co-occuring conditions that autistic women may seek complementary support for, discuss important considerations around diagnosis, accomodations and the importance of an inclusive and safe practice, in addition to a brief review of the research on complementary medicine use by autistic people.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

• An understanding of the common experiences of many autistic women and girls, including misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, frequently co-occuring conditions and mental health considerations.
• A brief overview of the history of CAM use by autistic people, including a discussion of some of the erroneous beliefs that still prevail, such as the misconception that an autism diagnosis can be ‘lost’ if minerals are balanced and heavy metals and toxins are eliminated.
• Autism is a lifelong condition that for many is not just a ‘label’ but an important part of who they are. Each autistic person has unique strengths and challenges, which may shift and evolve throughout the lifespan, with appropriate support and/or accommodation considerations required.
• Information on the role of the CAM practitioners if autism may be a consideration in a patient’s presentation, including discussion and potential referral, with consideration of scope of practice and navigating conversations that may be sensitive and complex in addition to discussion of formal diagnosis vs self-identification options.
• An understanding of the importance of a strength based, rather than deficit based, approach to autism and neurodivergence, including key factors such as language, working with the individual, offering a safe space and building a positive therapeutic relationship
• Finally, an understanding of the importance of patient led goals when working with autistic patients and to inform our conversations with an attitude of ‘patient as teacher’, with prioritization of the patient’s sensory, emotional, environmental, familial and physical requirements key to supporting and improving quality of life.

2.55PM - 3.30PM (AEST) : 35 minute session 

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Over two 35-minute sessions, practitioners will become familiar with different kinds of endocrine disrupting environmental chemicals, their potential sources, and their prevalence. An intensive review of the current research pertaining to Australia and across the globe will provide attendees with a better understanding of the health implications for mid-life women, as well as the complications and limitations of the current research.  We will discuss proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, and recommended preventative harm reduction techniques from environmental experts. Practitioners will leave with details on naturopathic strategies for patient education and lifestyle guidance, strengthening susceptible body systems, and treating symptoms of exposure. 

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand the definitions of endocrine-active and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, review chemicals of interest, detail their prevalence, and identify potential sources.
• Analyse proposed pathophysiological mechanisms and researched health implications for mid-life women, including effects on menopause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer incidence. Assess limitations and obstacles within current research.
• Review recommended preventative harm reduction techniques from thought leaders.
• Discuss lifestyle guidance, patient education, naturopathic supports and treating symptoms of exposure.

4.00PM - 4.50PM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 15 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

Over two 35-minute sessions, practitioners will become familiar with different kinds of endocrine disrupting environmental chemicals, their potential sources, and their prevalence. An intensive review of the current research pertaining to Australia and across the globe will provide attendees with a better understanding of the health implications for mid-life women, as well as the complications and limitations of the current research.  We will discuss proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, and recommended preventative harm reduction techniques from environmental experts. Practitioners will leave with details on naturopathic strategies for patient education and lifestyle guidance, strengthening susceptible body systems, and treating symptoms of exposure. 

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand the definitions of endocrine-active and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, review chemicals of interest, detail their prevalence, and identify potential sources.
• Analyse proposed pathophysiological mechanisms and researched health implications for mid-life women, including effects on menopause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer incidence.
• Assess limitations and obstacles within current research.
• Review recommended preventative harm reduction techniques from thought leaders.
• Discuss lifestyle guidance, patient education, naturopathic supports and treating symptoms of exposure.

4.50PM - 5.35PM (AEST) : 35 minute session + 10 minutes Q&A (in person and livestream)

SESSION DESCRIPTION

High stress levels can intensify a range of somatic symptoms during menopause exacerbated by negative attitudes towards ageing and menopause. This strong interplay between stress and the ageing process requires interventions that can support a woman in building emotional resilience. It is now recognised that women with better coping mechanisms tend to experience fewer symptoms at this stage of life. Lifestyle interventions are not new to the naturopath. However, this discussion will focus on a prescriptive approach to benefit our clients and support the naturopathic prescription.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

This session will assist the participant to:

• Understand the biology of stress in the ageing woman.
• Explore the benefits of psychosocial interventions.
• Apply a prescriptive lifestyle self-care package.