Esperance physio Kendall Carmody publishes long-awaited endometriosis research

After four years of researching, writing, editing and revising, Esperance Physiotherapist Kendall Carmody is celebrating after having her work on endometriosis published in a peer-reviewed international journal.

Kendall was part of a multidisciplinary team of Curtin University researchers who worked on the article, which featured in Women’s Reproductive Health in January.

The research, which formed part of Kendall’s post-graduate studies, explored patient-reported barriers and missed opportunities during the endometriosis diagnostic process.

Kendall said it was exciting and rewarding seeing the project come to fruition.

“We spent a full year developing the proposal, completing the research and writing the report, which was an amazing experience in itself,” she said.

“I got to work with a group of incredibly talented physiotherapists and researchers.”

It’s estimated about 830,000 Australians suffer from endometriosis – a benign, chronic inflammatory condition that can have serious and far-reaching effects.

After finishing the draft, it took the team another three years to refine the article – titled Patient Perspectives on the Missed Opportunities and Barriers During the Diagnostic Journey: A Mixed Method Cross Sectional Study on Endometriosis in Australia – for publication.

The Australia-wide findings highlighted key areas for improvement, noting a generally poor understanding of endometriosis, missed opportunities for early holistic care, and a need for self-advocacy.

“An additional key finding that highlights missed opportunities – and the role of allied health, particularly pelvic health physiotherapists – relates to the service involvement before versus after diagnosis,” Kendall said.

“Our quantitative data showed allied health involvement in endometriosis symptom management was limited prior to diagnosis, with only 11.6 per cent of respondents seeing a pelvic health physiotherapist.

“Post-diagnosis, engagement with pelvic health physiotherapy more than doubled and pelvic health physiotherapists, psychologists, pain specialists and dieticians became part of the regular care team.”

She said this supported existing evidence that multidisciplinary care was beneficial and should be introduced earlier in the diagnostic journey.

After completing a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2017, Kendall obtained her Master Degree of Clinical Physiotherapy (Continence and Pelvic Health) with Distinction in 2025.

“What interests me about continence and pelvic health is the complexity of the area and the fact that it has historically been under-discussed,” she said.

“So many pelvic health conditions are common, but that doesn’t mean they are ‘normal’ or something people should simply put up with. There is so much we can do to help, and for many patients we have the opportunity to significantly improve their quality of life.”

Born in Kalgoorlie, and raised in Kambalda and Perth, Kendall joined WA Country Health Service in 2017 and continues to work at Esperance Health Campus.

She plans to continue upskilling within pelvic health through specialised professional development, with a focus on antenatal and postnatal care and pelvic pain conditions.

“Career wise, I really value my role within WA Country Health Service and the opportunity to provide specialised assessment and treatment in the public health system regionally,” Kendall said.

“Working in rural public health is something I’m incredibly passionate about. Being able to provide public pelvic health services locally – reducing the need for travel and improving early access to support – is something I’m very proud of.”