October 2012.pdf - Health Sciences - Curtin University

7STUDENT SECTIONSTUDY TOURSDean Reynolds, Jeremy Bottega, Dr. Mark Wiegand, John Owens, MarietteLuitjens and Tom MaddockIn early September, fourth yearphysiotherapy students MarietteLuitjens, Dean Reynolds,Thomas Maddock and JeremyBottega were accompanied byJohn Owens, as they undertooka two week study tour toBellarmine University, inLouisville, Kentucky USA.2012 marks the tenth year ofBilateral Study Tours betweenCurtin University School ofPhysiotherapy and BellarmineUniversity’s Physical TherapySchool.These study tours are aimed atgiving students an internationalperspective on the delivery andcontent of physiotherapyeducation, healthcare systems,governing regulations and anarray of patient demographics,business models andmanagement strategies; as wellas the opportunity of personaland professional developmentand networking all via theinclusion in scheduled lecturesand practical sessions within theBellarmine program.Through a presentation and opendiscussion with Bellarminephysical therapy staff memberand American Physical TherapyAssociation Board member,students were able to comparehow the professions arerecognized and regulated acrossthe two continents.The students were presented onthe roles of Certified AthleticTrainers and Physical Therapistsand asked to compare thoseroles with those of AustralianPhysiotherapists and sportstrainers. This was laterhighlighted with a private andpersonalised tour by theAssociate Director of SportsMedicine and Rehabilitation forthe University of LouisvilleFootball Complex, who discussedthe staffing and their roles,funding, scholarships, strengthand conditioning programs andfacilities, injuries preventionstrategies and injurymanagement.As a requirement of the tour, thegroup had to prepare a series of15 minute talks for presentationto the staff and students of theBellarmine Physical Therapy andHealth Sciences programs.The topics presented were: The role of thePhysiotherapist withWestern AustralianWorkers Compensation. Fourth year clinicalassessment within theCurtin Physiotherapyprogram. State and Federalgovernment initiatives foralliedhealthcareprofessionals within RuralWestern Australia.The members of 2012 CurtinSchool of Physiotherapy StudyTour to Bellarmine University areextremely grateful for thehospitality extended by allconcerned parties at Bellarmine,and feel privileged to haveparticipated in such a dynamicevent packed schedule that willno doubt remain a significanthighlight of their physiotherapyand life experience.Any private practitionersinterested in allowing visitingBellarmine students to shadowthem, or any willing staffmember for one day during May2013;CONTACT:JOHN OWENSTel: 9266 3655Email: j.owens@curtin.edu.auMake tomorrow better.7Physiotherapy.curtin.edu.au© Curtin University, School of Physiotherapy Quarterly Newsletter October Edition 2012