APA | Public health

Public health

A group of people sitting at a work desk chatting happily.

INMOTION 01 Nov, 2022

Are new graduates prepared?

Final-year physiotherapy student Martin Collyer and physiotherapist researchers Dr Roma Forbes and Curtley Nelson reflect on the role of the new graduate and call on the profession to consider changing the dialogue about our newest members.

One of the most important goals for any organisation is to attract enthusiastic and work-ready new graduates who will grow into highly skilled future professionals.

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INMOTION 03 Oct, 2022

Strength in numbers

The past year has provided so many opportunities for the APA to engage with, influence and lead the health sector, internationally as well as here in Australia.

This has become more possible as our membership numbers have risen—now at a record 31,000 members.

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White pills spill from a medicine bottle on to a bench top.

INMOTION 03 Oct, 2022

Change has been an easy pill to swallow

A select team of advanced scope physiotherapists at Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital’s emergency department have begun administering paracetamol and ibuprofen to patients following a successful three-month audit period. Here, those who advocated for the change discuss the implications for the profession.

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Two half full bowls of water sitting side by side.

INMOTION 03 Oct, 2022

Terminology and health literacy

APA General Manager, Policy and Government Relations Simon Tatz considers what ‘allied health’ means to consumers struggling to navigate our complex health system.

Semantics is the scientific study of meaning as expressed in language. It describes how language is used, often in advertising and politics, to have a desired effect on an audience.

More commonly, when we hear someone say, ‘Oh, that’s just being semantic’, what they’re implying is that there’s a trivial debate about word use, that someone is ‘splitting hairs’ or nitpicking.

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A view of the Kimberley region from the top of a cliff.

INMOTION 03 Oct, 2022

A lifetime of caring will know no end

As he celebrates his retirement this month after a 40-year physiotherapy career in public health, John Buchanan is ready for the next phase. John speaks about his love for the
physiotherapy profession and the behind-the-scenes project that he will now reveal.

Good fortune has followed John Buchanan throughout his life and career and he believes he has much to be thankful for.

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A silver pen lies next to a stack of different coloured folders.

INMOTION 01 Sep, 2022

White paper lays out transformative reform path

APA National President Scott Willis considers the APA’s upcoming white paper, Future of Physiotherapy in Australia, which calls for comprehensive reform and outlines seven detailed actions to bring it about.

Where to for reform?

The past decade of policy drift has meant there’s been little to no progress towards creating the value-based healthcare system we need.

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INMOTION 01 Sep, 2022

Riding the wave

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, we are still experiencing the effects and after-effects of COVID-19 in the clinic and beyond.

Private practices are reporting the financial burden of patients cancelling due to sickness (including COVID-19), being close contacts or family care priorities.

This is compounded when clinical and administrative staff are unable to work for the same reasons.

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A block image of drawings of various people

INMOTION 18 Aug, 2022

Invest today to support tomorrow’s NDIS workers

Supporting junior or early career physiotherapists working in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space is a rewarding endeavour that is helping to grow the next generation of physiotherapists coming through. Here, several practices owners and operators discuss about how they train and educate new graduates and early career physiotherapists who support people with disabilities through the NDIS.

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A mouth shouting the words Physio Pitchfest 2022

INMOTION 18 Aug, 2022

These physios are pitch perfect

The Physiotherapy Research Foundation’s innovation competition PitchFest, held online in April, drew on a pool of six finalists to award two prizes: the Judges’ Award and the People’s Choice Award. Here, the winners talk about their ideas.

Streamlining the falls review process

SummaRise: Intelligent Falls Management System is an app developed by Perth-based physiotherapist Daniel Hug APAM to assist aged care staff with assessing and managing falls. It was recently awarded the PitchFest Judges’ Award worth $15,000.

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A physiotherapist assisting a patient with low back pain

INMOTION 18 Aug, 2022

Backing out of an emergency

Low back pain is the fifth most common reason for emergency department (ED) presentations in Australia.

As cases continue to grow, the condition is placing ED staff and resources under mounting pressure at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has already brought many hospitals to a point of crisis.

We know, however, that most people presenting with low back pain in ED are triaged as non-serious/non-urgent and many could be managed by a physiotherapist.

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