On Thursday 17 September, the 8th Annual Monash Health Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology and Neurophysiology Science Research & Innovation conference was run as a virtual event for the very first time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Close to 300 attendees were treated to a display of outstanding presentations and research posters, detailing the enthusiastic research and study being undertaken by acute, sub-acute and community–based practitioners at Monash Health.
Hosted by Karl Lincke, Clinical Manager of Physiotherapy Services, and with a welcoming address from Chief Allied Health Officer Dani Ryan, presentations highlighted the critical work of allied health practice in optimising and enhancing patient and client care at Monash Health.
Topics included formal research projects, translation of evidence, and innovative changes to service provision models. In a year that has focused on the pandemic response, it was inspiring to see how much non-COVID-19 research and innovation has continued.
A huge thank you and congratulations to all submissions, research presenters, lightning presenters and poster presentations for your contribution to the conference and exemplifying patient centred care at Monash Health
The quality of the presentations was so high that the judges had a big challenge in selecting just one winner and in some categories awarded joint winners! Congratulations to each of the award recipients:
Best oral presentation (joint winners)
- Emma Bastick & Jodie Rees – The Use of Hip Precautions following Total Hip Replacement
- Phoebe Sansom – Allied Health Contribution to Stroke Unit care at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne
Best lightening presentation (joint winners)
- Donna Barlow – Translating Evidence-Based Management of the Hemiplegic Shoulder in neurological clients at Monash Health
- Melissa Roberts – Early Rehabilitation in Acute. Targeted physiotherapy in acute general medical wards to prevent or shorten subacute admissions.
Best poster presentation
- Kit O’Gorman – Are selected aged care rehabilitation patients able to tolerate twice daily therapy and as a result achieve improved mobility outcomes to decrease their length of stay in hospital?
Thank you to all the members of the Quality and Research Committee for their integral role in organising and coordinating the virtual event and ensuring the conference went ahead despite social distancing regulations.
We received some great feedback about the virtual conference:
- “I felt very proud yesterday to be a part of the Monash Health Physio team. Such a talented workforce with some very exceptional achievers” – Allied Health Assistant
- “I just wanted to say congratulations on, in my opinion, the best research conference to date. It went so well and smoothly, such a great effort!” – Grade 1 Physiotherapist
- “As a stream leader it really drove me to continue to support and encourage investment in quality and research activities” – Grade 4 Stream Leader
- “Sensational afternoon – great work! It was a great event with high quality presentations” – Chief Allied Health Officer
- “That was awesome! Thanks for making Neurophysiology feel really included!” – Neurophysiology Scientist
We’re looking forward to an even bigger and better 9th Annual Conference in 2021!
Approved by Stuart Cavill, 28 September