Rural and remote

Spotlight on advanced practice roles
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Spotlight on advanced practice roles


While a large percentage of physiotherapists report career limitations as a reason to leave the profession, Jamie Owen looks at clinicians who are pushing the clinical boundaries.



Joel Dunstan was in a position many physiotherapists have been before. Physiotherapy faces a high attrition rate at five to 10 years of clinical practice—and Joel was almost included among those leaving the profession.

Physios reach out in the Top End
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Physios reach out in the Top End


Exercises by a fishing spot followed by some fresh caught fish for lunch, early morning walking group activities to beat the harsh midday sun—working in the Northern Territory can be anything but a typical day at the clinic. Melissa Mitchell speaks with Genevieve Agostinelli from BodyFit NT about treating patients in remote communities.

Giving young people a sporting chance
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Giving young people a sporting chance

One evening over dinner in 2017, APA member Andrew Duff and an orthopaedic colleague thought about how they could help aspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes by limiting the negative aspects of injury.

Putting our heads together on mental health
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Putting our heads together on mental health

As physiotherapists, we are constantly balancing mind and body in our clinical decision making. This is nothing new, but the increasing demand for mental health services is something for us to think about. This is of particular importance as funders continue to influence our capacity to practise within our full scope.

A salute to a fine military career
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

A salute to a fine military career

On the advice of a friend, Bernadette Petzel moved from Sydney to Darwin to begin working for the Australian Defence Force. Despite saying she’d only commit to six months at the Top End, it was the start of a dedicated career with the military. Melissa Mitchell reports.

Seeding Grant helps Rebekah grow
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Seeding Grant helps Rebekah grow

PRF Seeding Grant recipient Rebekah Das began her career as a rural physiotherapist and, after several major career incarnations, she now runs a small musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic in New Delhi, India, with her husband. But she’s also taken on an educational role, as she explains to Melissa Mitchell.

High-flying adventures of a physio and her pooch
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

High-flying adventures of a physio and her pooch

Around the central west region of New South Wales, Meredith Schwilk and her dog Woofy are better known as ‘The flying physio and Woofy the wag-tail wonderdog’. But behind that friendly moniker is a physiotherapist dedicated to meeting the needs and challenges of a far-flung rural clientele. Melissa Mitchell reports.

Physios get behind Close the Gap
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Physios get behind Close the Gap

Taking the words ‘Reconciliation’ and ‘Closing the Gap’ off the page and embedding them into practice is the mission of a new working party at Logan Hospital in Queensland, reports Melissa Mitchell ahead of Close the Gap Day this month.

Rural challenges to in-home treatment
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Rural challenges to in-home treatment

In-home rehabilitation can sometimes be a challenge for clinicians in rural parts of the country.

Partnership brings everyone together
INMOTION 31 Dec, 2021

Partnership brings everyone together


APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist David Giles and APA Sports Physiotherapist Jamie Phillips graduated together and went straight into private practice. Ten years after they bought their first clinic together, they opened The Injury Hub.