Our phenomenal physios

The work of Epworth HealthCare physiotherapists has been recognised by their peers.

At this year’s annual Australian Physiotherapy Conference, Epworth physio staff made a big impression, with two invited presentations, 11 staff presenting their work, 14 platform presentations and three awards!

Prof Gavin Williams, Professor of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation, was invited to deliver two presentations: Task-specific resistance training for mobility in acquired brain injury and another on how hand-held dynamometry assists clinical decision making for people with neurological conditions.

The $15,000 ‘Pitchfest’ award went to the Epworth spasticity team to develop a smartphone app. The app will show clinicians how to assess spasticity in a standardised way, making testing and measurement easier. The app explains the starting position, where to put your hands and how to move limbs. Videos then provide visual demonstrations and how results should be recorded.

The best paper was won by Epworth Richmond rehabilitation physiotherapist, Sara Aldous, with support from her team, on Exercise-induced symptom exacerbation in moderate-to-extremely severe traumatic brain injury.

Best end-of-cycle report (ECR) was won by Epworth Richmond rehabilitation physiotherapist Megan Banky and team for 'Controlling the Modified Tardieu Scale Assessment Speed to Match Joint Angular Velocities During Walking Impacts Spasticity Assessment Outcomes'.

Three other Epworth staff were named runners up for awards.

Claire Ferguson, Director of Allied Health, congratulated all on a fantastic achievement.

“This is an outstanding effort and a reflection of the incredible work and dedication to making a difference to clinical care and patient outcomes,” Claire said.