MUSCULOSKELETAL Ivan Lin splits his time between research and clinical work for an Aboriginal Medical Service in rural Western Australia. Here he talks about why he keeps coming back to Geraldton.

Physiotherapist and researcher Dr Ruth Hardman has forged a remarkable path, from theatre tours to trailblazing pain care in Mildura in north-west Victoria. With a deep commitment to health equity, Ruth is shaping how community-based services support people living with chronic pain and complex health challenges in regional Australia.

Rural physiotherapists are recognised for their diverse skill set, their ingenuity and their rarity. Melissa Trudinger and Brendan Bugeja explore how to increase both the number of physiotherapists in the regions and the opportunities for them to thrive there.

Working in regional, rural or remote areas across Australia offers physiotherapists a uniquely fulfilling career path.

At the 2025 Australian Pain Society’s 45th Annual Scientific Meeting, some of the profession’s leading lights presented groundbreaking research aimed at transforming pain care through more inclusive, evidence-based and system-aware approaches. Together, their work highlights the evolving role of physiotherapy in helping to tackle complex pain challenges across diverse populations.

Clinician-researchers living in regional, rural and remote regions implement a novel pathway of care for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

The critical shortage of physiotherapists in rural Australia poses ongoing challenges for healthcare delivery. Yet for those who make the move, country life offers unique rewards. Leigh Miller is a physiotherapist now based in the small community of Bingara, New South Wales. His experience highlights the profound difference a single professional can make in a rural setting.

Driven by a passion for supporting children and their families, 2023 Anne McCoy Award recipient Ashlee Lance is reshaping services in regional Victoria.

Happy New Year. I hope you’ve enjoyed a refreshing break over the summer and are recharged for the challenges of 2025.

A pioneering telehealth clinic in regional Queensland is providing physiotherapy expertise to non- urgent patients on the orthopaedic waiting list, connecting them with care like never before.