Grant recipient: Kim Allison

Project title: Addressing obesity: physiotherapist delivery of evidence-based care in knee osteoarthritis

Year awarded: 2018

Grant: Seeding Grant

Grant amount: $24,987

Snapshot: Kim Allison and researchers at the University of Melbourne conducted a qualitative study to determine the role for physiotherapists in supporting weight loss in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). During the study, the team developed an online training program, EduWeight, which aims to assess physiotherapists’ attitudes towards obesity and build their skills and knowledge in weight management. The effectiveness of the program was then evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. 

The findings: The study showed that physiotherapists who completed the online training program demonstrated greater confidence in their knowledge and clinical skills in weight management and nutrition, as well as improved understanding of weight stigma. 

Benefits to the profession: To empower physiotherapists in providing health behaviour change support to assist patients with lifestyle weight loss. 

Read about the findings of Kim's study in InMotion.