Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a largely preventable and treatable—but not fully reversible—lung disease, characterised by a chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing. 

1. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men

The prostate gland sits beneath the base of the bladder in men.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in adults and is associated with comorbidities such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome and depression.

As there is no known cure for OA, efforts are focused on prevention, particularly in high-risk groups.

One of the leading risk factors and therefore a focus of prevention efforts is obesity.

Tash Pocovi APAM is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Health Sciences at Macquarie University, Sydney.

As part of her PhD, she was a member of the team conducting the WalkBack trial, which examined the utility of using an individualised and progressive walking and education program facilitated by physiotherapists to prevent recurrences of low back pain (LBP). 

Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are heritable connective tissue disorders that typically present with joint hypermobility, instability, risk of injury and pain. 

Related problems can include fatigue, anxiety, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and autonomic dysfunction/dysautonomia.

In 2019, the Australian Government released the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis (here), with the aim of improving care for the millions of Australians who live with arthritis.

One of the priority recommendations that received funding was workforce-capacity building. 

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Back and Neck Pain has released its first two data reports, highlighting the data collected over the first year of the study. 

Who is best suited to undertake this course? 

Physical therapists, occupational therapists and medical doctors with experience treating patients with vestibular deficits.

What is the focus of this course? 

The course consists of lecture and laboratory sessions with additional self-study sessions.