Health, physiotherapy, the future and you – Transform 2019
9 December 2019
Technology and innovation, public health interventions, the ageing population, and chronic disease prevention were key themes discussed at a plenary session Professor Jane Fisher was invited to contribute to during the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Transform 2019 conference.
The bi-annual conference was held in Adelaide, 17 to 19 October, and attracted more than 2000 participants from around Australia.
Monash University’s Dr Christina Ekegren, who was involved in the conference programming, says that Professor Fisher was invited as one of four guest speakers at the ‘Health worker of the future’ plenary due to her extensive public health background.
“The plenary session explored potential public health interventions and innovations, and emphasised the growing need for physiotherapists to become involved in chronic disease prevention,” says Dr Ekegren, who is an NHMRC Early Career Fellow with Monash’s Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine.
“Delegates were highly engaged in the plenary as the session was very informative, and boasted an impressive line-up of guests,” she added.
Professor Fisher was joined by World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Vice President and physiotherapist, Melissa Locke, former Head of the School of Physiotherapy at University of Melbourne, Professor Gill Webb, and physiotherapist and Bupa Business and Operations Manager, Ryan Ebert.
“Professor Fisher also highlighted relevant aspects of women’s health,” says Dr Ekegren.
“For example, the increasing likelihood of complications given the upward trend in the age of first-time mothers – and the implications for physiotherapists regarding clinical treatment.”
Among other key sessions, Dr Jordan Nguyen delivered a plenary titled AI, evolving technology and human experience, and discussed innovations such as the brain-controlled wheel chair, while motivational speaker, Jason Fox, delivered an inspiring keynote Turning frustration in to innovation.