In Steve’s presentation, ‘The future of health’, he explored the accelerating pace of change and placed physiotherapists at the centre of the opportunities that lay ahead.

According to The Australian Financial Review, an NDIS participant’s bid to increase her $202,000 support package was rejected in part because two physiotherapists had used AI tools to help draft reports submitted as evidence. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t coming to physiotherapy—it’s already here. 

AI is embedded in how we communicate, automate workflows and, increasingly, deliver patient care. 

I am excited to be developing the APA’s next strategic plan so early in my tenure. In my view, strategic development is as much about the process as it is about the outcome. 

The pathway to our 2025 strategic plan has relied on diverse voices both within and beyond our organisation, encompassing feedback from our staff, board members, membership base and key stakeholders. 

Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common complication of pregnancy affecting between 23 and 65 per cent of pregnant women worldwide. 

Distinct from low back pain, it affects the pelvic joints—in particular, the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints. 

We predict that AI has the potential to reshape our clinical care, the business of physiotherapy and the education of physiotherapists in numerous ways.

As a professional body, we recognise our responsibility to understand, engage with and provide guidelines and support for these emerging technologies.

How does the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) affect our physiotherapy skills? 

AI presents a fascinating paradox for physiotherapists— incredible opportunities for advancement alongside potential risks to fundamental clinical abilities. 

The physiotherapy industry is on the brink of a new era, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Early tools like chatbots hinted at what AI could do but within the next two to three years, AI agents—powered by advanced language models—are set to change how clinics operate.

Dr Caitlin Farmer MACP is an advanced practice physiotherapist at Royal Melbourne Hospital who has worked in various roles in emergency departments (EDs) since 2008.

She has a keen interest in helping people experiencing vestibular conditions, particularly in acute settings.

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Australia, with an estimated 14,800 Australians diagnosed with the disease in 2023.

Surgery is typically the first treatment option for early and localised cancer but patients can be left with significant fatigue, breathlessness and pain; reduced functional capacity and muscle strength; and poor health-related quality of life.