Healthcare professional education
education
CTDNA is working to improve awareness of heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTDs) among Australian healthcare professionals. By supporting education and training, we aim to grow a workforce that understands these complex conditions—leading to better care for those affected.
When clinicians are informed, individuals with HCTDs are more likely to receive accurate diagnoses, appropriate management, and support that improves both their health and quality of life.
Below is a list of educational resources and activities CTDNA has helped develop and deliver.
Healthcare Professionals Seeking Clinical Advice:
CTDNA can speak with healthcare professionals seeking guidance on resources for diagnosing, referring, or managing patients with suspected or confirmed HCTD. To arrange this, email hello@ctdna.org.au requesting a clinical discussion.
Education listing
EDS Therapy Update:
A GP Guide to hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
A new guide for GPs on hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) was published in AusDoc during EDS Awareness Month, May 2025.
The article gives a clear overview of hEDS and, while aimed at Australian GPs, it’s open access and may be helpful for all healthcare professionals and community members.
CTDNA encourages people living with EDS to share this resource with their healthcare team.
HealthED Podcast Episodes:
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS): Understanding subtypes, genetics, and the diagnostic journey
This HealthED podcast episode offers a valuable introduction to Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), exploring the different subtypes, genetic background, and the often complex diagnostic journey. Aimed at Australian health professionals, the conversation highlights key signs to look out for, common challenges in diagnosis, and how to support people living with EDS.
Recognising and managing hypermobility and EDS in general practice
In this episode, Dr Jason Lam and HSD/hEDS expert Physiotherapist Leanne Scown explore; why Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder are more common – yet often missed, the multi-system clues that can point to underlying connective tissue disorder, and how early recognition and team-based care can change outcomes for those living with these conditions. The important role healthcare professional’s have in the diagnosis, ongoing management (including pain management) and advocacy for patients living with, or suspected to have a HSD/hEDS is also explored.
POTS in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
In this episode Dr Marie-Claire Seeley, CEO of partner organisation the Australian POTs Foundation discusses the links between dysautonomia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) including, early warning signs or red flags of POTS or dysautonomia that you may see in primary care. How to test for POTS in a primary care setting and when to refer for specialist opinion and to whom. Current management advice for dysautonomia and POTS is touched on.
CTDNA recommends these episodes as a helpful resource for AHPRA registered clinicians and healthcare providers (required for HealthED login) seeking to better understand EDS.