The Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) is a validated, patient-reported tool specifically designed for patients undergoing pelvic floor surgery. Rather than taking a broad approach, it focuses directly on the key areas most affected by these procedures: Pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, bowel function and sexual function. By incorporating the APFQ into SurgicalPerformance, surgeons gain tailored, procedure-specific patient-reported outcomes that reflect the real-world impact of pelvic floor surgery. This enables a deeper understanding of how patients are progressing in the months and years after surgery - not just clinically, but in their everyday quality of life.
Who it applies to: The APFQ is relevant and applicable for Gynaecologists and Urogynaecologists performing pelvic floor surgical procedures.
How the Survey Works
Survey structure: The APFQ is a comprehensive questionnaire with items covering four main domains:
Bladder function
Bowel function
Sexual function
Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms
Scoring approach:
Responses are typically measured on a Likert scale (e.g., frequency or severity).
Scores are tallied within each domain, then aggregated to provide an overall pelvic floor function score.
Higher scores generally reflect more severe symptoms or greater dysfunction.
Interpretation: Results allow the surgeon to quantify improvements (or persistence) in pelvic floor symptoms following surgery.
Survey Timing in SurgicalPerformance
When is the questionnaire sent: The APFQ is sent pre- and post-operatively; so it's important to add your patient case into SurgicalPerformance before surgery to ensure they receive their Pre-op survey to serve as a baseline and comparison for their future Post-op survey. The Post-op surveys are sent at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months following the procedure.
How patients receive it: Patients are sent an SMS with a secure survey link.
Completion details: The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete and requires a smartphone or web-enabled device.
Benefits for Surgeons and Patients
For surgeons:
With implementing the pre-op survey, surgeons capture a comprehensive representation of the patient's journey, including accurate comparisons.
Provides structured, validated outcome data to complement clinical observations.
Assists with identifying areas where patients may need additional support post-surgery.
Allows surgeons to reflect on surgical techniques based on patient feedback to identify areas for change or different surgical approaches required.
Contributes to self-audit, CPD and quality improvement activities.
For patients:
Ensures their experiences and concerns are heard.
Offers reassurance that recovery is being closely monitored beyond standard follow-up appointments.
References & Validation
The APFQ was developed and validated by Baessler et al. and has been widely adopted in urogynecological research and practice. We are proud to acknowledge Professor Christopher Maher, one of the developers behind the APFQ, was a key driver behind the implementation of the APFQ within our PROMS.
Baessler K, O’Neill SM, Maher CF, Battistutta D. Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire: a validated tool for evaluating pelvic floor symptoms in women. Int Urogynecol J. 2009;20(1):41–49.
Additional validation studies confirm its reliability and sensitivity in tracking patient-reported pelvic floor outcomes.
Using the APFQ in SurgicalPerformance
Enabling the survey: When entering a case related to pelvic floor surgeries, select the APFQ as the PROMS survey.
Viewing results: Results are securely available in a few locations within your SurgicalPerformance account: On your Dashboard, under 'Gynaecology' Cases, and; under the 'Reports' tab within the PROMS section
Integration: Use alongside surgeon-entered outcomes and other PROMS (e.g., PROMIS or Patient Satisfaction) for a complete picture of surgical success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can patients use the APFQ instead of attending follow-up?
No. The APFQ complements, but does not replace, clinical follow-up appointments.
What if a patient does not complete the survey?
Non-response is common in longer questionnaires. You may choose to follow up with the patient directly.
Can I choose which patients receive the APFQ?
Yes. You control survey assignment when entering cases.
Is patient data secure?
Yes. All responses are encrypted, stored securely, and visible only to you as the surgeon.
By incorporating the APFQ into your SurgicalPerformance workflow, you can capture validated, patient-centred data that deepens your understanding of surgical outcomes and strengthens your ability to deliver personalised care.