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HYBRID - ONLINE EVENT

This event is also available as a face to face event

HYBRID - FACE TO FACE EVENT

This event is also available as an online event

It's 50 years since the APA repealed its first ethical principle requiring that physiotherapists only see patients referred by a medical practitioner, one of the most significant changes to physiotherapy practice in the profession's history. Since then, this world-leading move has been adopted by many other countries.

As the profession advocates for physiotherapists to play a greater role in first contact medical care, we look back at the push for first contact physiotherapy, physiotherapist Prue Galley's groundbreaking speech at the APA's 1975 Annual Scientific Meeting and the impact on the profession in the decades since.

To mark this milestone, the APA is proud to premiere a short documentary, Referral revolution: how Australian physiotherapy changed the profession, on World Physiotherapy Day.

Find out how one decision made by the APA led to physiotherapists becoming more independent and professional, opening the door for private practice to expand and the profession to evolve.

Alycia Scannell, APA Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health (WMPH) Titled Physiotherapist based in Adelaide, will be presenting on evidence-based physiotherapy management for prostatectomy. This session will provide a clinically grounded overview of best-practice rehabilitation, including pelvic floor muscle training, optimisation of continence outcomes, and progression to return-to-function and exercise. Drawing on current research and her own clinical experience, the presentation will explore trans-perineal pelvic floor muscle assessment, common post-operative challenges, and practical treatment strategies to support recovery and improve quality of life for men following prostate cancer surgery.

HYBRID - FACE TO FACE EVENT

7:00pm-8:30pm AWST– presentations

This event is also available as an online event

Physiotherapists working with adults with cerebral palsy (CP) often navigate a complex intersection of lifelong disability, ageing, and neurological change—yet many report feeling underprepared for this area of practice or realise the skills they have, place them well to provide support. This session, led by a Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, aims to demystify physiotherapy for adults with CP by bridging the gap between paediatric foundations and contemporary adult neurological practice.

This presentation will explore how CP presents across the lifespan, including the impact of secondary conditions, functional decline, fatigue, pain, and participation challenges. It will challenge common assumptions and highlight how clinical reasoning, goal setting, and intervention approaches can be adapted to better meet the needs of adults living with CP.

A key focus will be on building the confidence of physiotherapists—whether new to CP or experienced in other areas of neurological practice—to deliver effective, person-centred care. Practical strategies, clinical insights, and real-world examples will support therapists to translate knowledge into action, integrate evidence-informed approaches, and feel more assured in managing complexity.

The session will also clarify the physiotherapist's role within the multidisciplinary team, highlighting how physiotherapy contributes to holistic, coordinated care alongside medical, allied health, and support teams. Emphasis will be placed on collaboration, shared goal setting, and advocating for the needs of adults with CP.

Please note: This face to face event is being held at APA WA Office, Suite 1, 4 Sarich Way Bentley.

Gerontology Physiotherapy Level 1 aims to improve your knowledge and skills relevant to the physiotherapy assessment and treatment of common conditions of older people. It takes an in-depth look at the ageing process, chronic disease management, pharmacology and pain management, delirium, dementia and depression, falls and balance, strategies to optimise physical function and use of outcome measures.

Learners have two ways of undertaking Gerontology Physiotherapy Level 1:
• Blended: online self-paced (Part A) and attending a face-to-face classroom course (Parts B & C)

or

• Wholly virtual: online self-paced (Parts A & B) and live virtual session (Part C)

Important note: if you have completed or wish to undertake the face-to-face classroom course, you are not required to complete the online Part B or Part C.



Part C - live virtual session
This live virtual session is Part C of the virtual delivery option for the Gerontology Physiotherapy Level 1 course. You must attend a live virtual session in order to complete the Gerontology Physiotherapy Level 1 course.