Physio Foundations

This week I spoke to physiotherapist and PhD candidate Mac Hall about his practical tips for clinicians working with people with persistent pain. We also talked about the findings of his PhD investigating mechanisms of pain in people with chronic low back pain. Thanks Mac for a great conversation. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with a friend or on your social networks. Sharing the epi...

This week I spoke to physiotherapist, chiropractor and strength and conditioning specialist Dr Greg Lehman about challenging your own beliefs and assumptions in clinical practice. We spoke about the challenges of keeping things simple whilst balancing this with the complexities of clinical practice. We then talked about some of Greg’s pet topics; applied biomechanics, strength training and movemen...

This week I spoke to Monash University Physiotherapy educator and PhD candidate Jess Lindstrom about her tips for developing your career through education and research, tips for students for learning at university and why you might choose to do a PhD. If you enjoyed this conversation please share it with a friend or on your social networks. Sharing the episode is the best way to support the podcas...

This week I spoke to Monash University Physiotherapy graduate Isabella Smith about her tips for successfully transitioning from university to your first hospital job and her experiences working in a hospital, including in an intensive care unit. We also spoke about Issie is integrating education and research into her clinical work and her plans for developing her career in the years ahead. Thanks...

This week I spoke with recently graduated physiotherapist Vasish Vasan about his experience working with doctors, podiatrists, nurses, orthopaedic surgeons and other health professionals. This was the 5th in my 'New Graduate Series', and in this episode,, Vasish gave us tips for transitioning from university to working life and for getting the most out of this phase of your career. We also spoke a...

This week I spoke to Monash University Physiotherapy graduate Josh Vinton about his experience transitioning from student life to working life, and his upcoming plans for working as a physiotherapist in the United Kingdom. Thanks Josh for a great conversation.   In this episode: 0:00 About this episode, welcome Josh 2:10 About Josh – background, interests and transition to working life 3:02 What i...

This week I spoke to specialist paramedic, educator and researcher Dr Ben Meadley about his career as a specialist mobile intensive care ambulance (MICA) paramedic and the rapidly evolving profession of paramedicine. Ben explained what Johnny Utah from the movie Point Break can teach us about physical performance standards for health professionals and the importance of emotional intelligence, empa...

Zuzana and I sat down with physiotherapist, business owner and runner Kevin Lieberthal about managing running-related injuries. We also spoke about strength assessment and strength training in the clinic, and about Kev’s entrepreneurial side-project, Gravel and Tar.   In this episode 0:00 About this episode 1:39 Kevin’s background, interests and career so far - from squash, to triathlon, to cyclin...

This week I spoke with Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Bowles from the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University. Kelly is a biomechanist and a paramedicine researcher as well as the acting head of the Department of Paramedicine and the Director of Research for our School of Primary and Allied Health Care. We spoke about the foundations of her career and her thoughts on the direction of the ph...

Chris Seville is a physiotherapist, physiotherapy educator and principal practice owner at healthy bodies physiotherapy in Cheltenham in Melbourne’s south east. Chris is also a powerlifter and powerlifting coach who has won multiple championships and represented Australia at the World Championships. He currently holds the under 83kg Australian Squat Record. We spoke about his clinical interests, h...

This is part 2 of my conversation with sports physiotherapist, physio educator and pelvic health researcher Jodie Dakic from Monash University Physiotherapy. We discuss the how you can reframe your approach to university and lifelong learning and the bigger picture of developing yourself professionally across your career. In this episode: 0:00 Why is this episode important? 2:15 Students are worri...

Jodie is a highly experienced sports physiotherapist, physiotherapy educator and emerging researcher in the field of women’s health and physical activity. In this episode I spoke to Jodie about her many years’ experience working in elite sport and the series of ground-breaking studies she is doing as part of her PhD looking at the impact of pelvic health on women’s physical activity. We explored t...

This is part 2 of my conversation with physiotherapist, triathlete and physiotherapy educator Dr Sarah Ward. We discussed Sarah’s experiences as a physio educator in New Zealand and how Sarah and her colleagues help prepare physiotherapy students for the workforce In this episode: 0:00 Welcome back Sarah 2:50 What physiotherapy courses are there in New Zealand? 5:00 How do you remember anatomy whe...

Sarah Ward is a physiotherapist, researcher, age group champion triathlete and physio educator at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. I spoke to Sarah about balancing research, clinical practice and research, all the wonderful places she has been able to travel to as a physiotherapist. I really enjoyed this conversation with Sarah. If you enjoy it as well please share the episode and remember...

In this episode Pat Vallance and I try to answer the perennial question asked of physiotherapy educators; why don’t you teach them this at university?  In this episode: 3:30 What is realistic to cover in an entry-to-practice course? 5:25 What are we trying to achieve in an entry-to-practice course? 6:05 The aim isn't to specialise - you have 3-4 years to become safe, effective and professional ove...

I spoke to physiotherapist, PhD student and physio educator Pat Vallance about his pathway from student, to clinician, to PhD student and physiotherapy educator.  Pat gave us some tips for learning and being engaged with learning during university training and we finished off our conversation by discussing the perennial question that haunts physiotherapy educators... 'Why don't you guys teach them...

Zuzana and I continue our discussion on the application of my 10 tips for clinical communication.   In this episode: 7:13 Motivation interviewing tips – how to engage people and consider their motivations for exercise. 10:05 How confident are you that this week you will get your exercises done? 18:02. The 3 things you need consent for in clinical practice and practical examples 20:35. Give people...

Zuzana and I discuss the application of my 10 tips for clinical communication to clinical cases.    In this episode: 2:30 ‘Now I understand, nobody has explained it to me like that!’. How to tailor your patient education to different people   6:17 The Teach Back method – a powerful way to confirm if the patient understands you, using their own words 7:57 A patient may not be ready to hear what you...

Join me as I discuss the problem with clinical communication that can affect practitioners at any level and my 10 tips for building solid foundations in your clinical communication. This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condit...

Last week Zuzana worked as a sports physiotherapist at Falls Creek ski resort in Victoria, Australia. I sat down with Zuzana to talk about her experience. We talked about the common injuries seen in skiing, Zuzana’s previous work with the Australian Paralympic Ski team, ski instructing and bracing for early management of acute ACL injuries. Its always good fun having a chat to @drzuzi herself! Thi...

Jaap Switters is an osteopath and sports/musculoskeletal physiotherapist from Vienna, Austria with a special interest in helping men manage chronic pelvic pain. Jaap and I talked about screening for pelvic pain and other series health conditions, how to ask sensitive questions related to bowel, bladder and sexual function and the biopsychosocial management of chronic pelvic pain, including patient...

This week on Physio Foundations I spoke with Professor Craig Hassad from the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University about how health professionals and health professions students can look after their own health throughout their careers. Professor Craig Hassed OAM is a highly experienced general practitioner and mindfulness expert who has worked within the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University...

This week on Physio Foundations I spoke to anatomy educator Associate Professor Michelle Lazarus. Michelle is the Director of the Centre for Human Anatomy Education at Monash University and a highly experienced anatomy educator and researcher. We had a really interesting discussion about the best ways for students and practitioners to learn anatomy, how to remember and retain anatomical knowledge...

This week on Physio Foundations I spoke to Monash University Physiotherapy graduate Jacob Waller about his experience transitioning from student to clinician. Jacob spoke about the importance of teamwork in private practice and hospital work, ways to stay up to date with literature and how to find balance in your professional life. This conversation was the 3rd episode in the new graduate series o...

This week on Physio Foundations Zuzana and I continued our conversation with Dr Brooke Patterson from the La Trobe Sports and Exercise Medicine research centre about the Prep-to-Play injury prevention program and improving performance in women and girl’s sport. Both Brooke and Zuzana have extensive experience as clinicians, players and researchers in football and women’s sport and this was a great...