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As first contact practitioners, for many decades physiotherapists have been screening and triaging patients in addition to providing advice about their patient's current abilities and activity recommendations. The completion of capacity certificates by physiotherapists in the compensable setting currently occurs in Victoria and New South Wales, but not in other states.
Paul Coburn will present information on certification by physiotherapists in Victoria and its impact whilst David Elvish will present information on certification by physiotherapists in NSW. We will also hear from Shane Meys about how they are working toward certification by physiotherapists in New Zealand and Cassandra Zaina will discuss how we can increase the level of comfort of the decision makers to support moving to a model where physiotherapists can complete initial and subsequent certificates.
Paul Coburn, MACP, has been the Clinical Lead for WorkSafe Victoria, Clinical Panel since 2003. He was the first author on the original 2004 edition of the WorkSafe Clinical Framework for the management of injured workers and since 2008, has focused on the role of Physiotherapy in return to work and Certification. He is Co-owner of Mill Park Physiotherapy. Previously he has been the Head Physiotherapist at the Richmond Football Club, coordinator the Master of Sports Physiotherapy program at La Trobe University and was Clinical Lead of Allied Health at the Transport Accident Commission. He has co-authored in the areas of compensable management and pelvic sports injuries.
David Elvish, MACP, is an APA Titled Pain Physiotherapist based in Newcastle NSW who has worked in the field of vocationally-oriented injury management for more than 30 years. David is currently in his 2nd year of the registrar training program with the Australian College of Physiotherapists. David is the Managing Director of Workplace Physiotherapy and a Co-director of Innervate Pain Management, working within a diverse interdisciplinary team. David has additionally undertaken an Independent Physiotherapy Consultant role with SIRA NSW over the last 25 years involving assessment and collaborative management formulation for injured workers receiving treatment through allied health peers.
Shane Meys has a passion for Occupational Health Physiotherapy and is motivated to work towards greater awareness and impact of occupational health amongst workplaces and key stakeholders within New Zealand and internationally. Shane understands the value Occupational Physiotherapy holds and the exciting opportunities available within injury management. Shane contributes through New Zealand's Occupational Health Executive Committee and working groups to progress the profession within New Zealand. Furthermore, Shane has recently become more involved in collaborations and working groups Internationally, to promote and progress the field globally. Shane is completing his final year of study towards his Master of Health Practice, with a project looking into the opportunities and considerations for physiotherapists to provide ACC medical certification. Shane is also involved with a working group in New Zealand focussing on advocacy for Occupational Health Physiotherapy, particularly the ability to sign ACC work capacity medical certificates. Shane will be sharing updates and insights from the progress being made in New Zealand.
Cassandra Zaina, FACP GAICD, is a Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapy in December 2010) and an APA Titled Musculoskeletal and Pain Physiotherapist. Cassandra has over 30 years of experience in private practice, working with individuals and companies across the globe. Cassandra is the Physiotherapy Advisor at ReturnToWorkSA and through this role she provides education and support to allied health practitioners across South Australia to assist them to achieve the best outcomes for their work-injured clients. Cassandra also delivers education sessions for doctors and work injury claims managers. Cassandra lectures on the physiotherapy programs at UniSA, Flinders and Adelaide Universities in addition to presenting a variety of courses and lectures for the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Cassandra is the SA Chair of the APA Occupational Health Group and the Acupuncture and Dry Needling Group.
Occupational Health and Musculoskeletal National Groups
4/06/2024
1.0 hours
Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.
