From hands-on practice in South Australia to international collaborations in Kenya, Colombia, Scandinavia and Thailand, Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2008) Dr Rose Boucaut FACP has built a career around one goal—helping people stay safe and well at work. 

Marcus Mancer MACP’s path to physiotherapy began on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Growing up the son of a farmer and teacher, Marcus found that his teenage years were shaped by his father’s struggles with rheumatoid arthritis.

Your editorial suggests that physiotherapists are an untapped resource in suicide prevention. What led you to focus on
this issue?

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of workers is a fundamental responsibility of every employer. 

Work health and safety (WHS) laws exist to protect workers from harm, promote safe workplaces and ensure businesses meet their legal obligations. 

Work health and safety (WHS) isn’t just about preventing physical injuries; it also includes managing risks to workers’ mental health. 

Psychosocial hazards such as excessive workloads, bullying or poor workplace support can significantly affect employee wellbeing, productivity and organisational culture.

It was on a routine bike ride home from Randwick to Newtown in Sydney when Suzanne Rath APAM had her life changed in the blink of an eye. 

Workplace conflict is something every employer will face and how it’s handled can greatly affect productivity, employee satisfaction and the overall work environment. 

Conflict arises from differing attitudes, opinions, approaches or perspectives on a situation, issue or person. 

Helping others manage pain, recover from injuries and improve their physical function can mean physiotherapists are putting their patients’ needs ahead of their own, says Ellen Lake APAM (pictured above), national chair of the APA Mental Health group.

It would be fair to say that most health professionals choose to work in healthcare because they want to help others and contribute positively to their community and that the journey to qualification and beyond requires dedication and commitment.