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Physiotherapists fear the Federal Government’s plan to cap the tax deductibility for work-related self-education expenses at $2000 per person will have far-reaching ramifications for the health sector.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association says the move, which will affect nurses and allied health professionals from July next year, will act as a disincentive for physiotherapists to develop their expertise or pursue specialised education and could also impact on the quality of care for Australian patients. Read more…

Physiotherapists are working at the forefront of falls prevention, helping older people to bolster their strength and their balance and to continue being active.

Physiotherapy New Zealand (PNZ) is raising awareness of the success of physiotherapy in the prevention of falls and treatment post-falls amid research showing a targeted physiotherapy exercise program can reduce the risk of falling between 17 and 35 per cent and the rate of falls by 22 to 27 per cent. Read more…

Two allied health professionals are trialling unique technology to deliver speech pathology services to people with Parkinson’s living in rural and remote areas of Queensland.

Innovative multimedia video conferencing system eHab, which is also about to be launched in tablet form, has been specifically designed by and for allied health professionals for assessment and treatment of people with Parkinson’s disease in their own homes.

The technology uses the mobile phone network and, unlike Skype, offers a private connection while it also features dynamic software tools that enable speech pathologists to measure the volume level and pitch of the voice. Read more…

Physiotherapists are calling for the Medicare Benefits Scheme to fund continence physiotherapy.

The APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) wants physiotherapy to be the first line of continence treatment and in its pre-budget submission to the federal government, and has called for the establishment of a specific Medicare item for continence physiotherapy. Read more…

The Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS) has embarked on an innovative traineeship model to boost its allied healthcare team while increasing Koori representation within its workforce.

Faced with a skills shortage for qualified allied health professionals, CGHS is supporting 6 Aboriginal people with Allied Health Assistant (AHA) traineeships, covering disciplines such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social health, dietetics, speech pathology and podiatry.

The 18-month traineeship project for Indigenous people, which is supported by the Victorian Department of Health’s Closing the Gap Fund, has been heralded a success. Read more…

Physiotherapists are applauding the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) legislation into Parliament.

The Australian Government yesterday introduced the NDIS Bill into Parliament and pledged $1 billion for the first stage of the scheme, which will enable people with disabilities to receive care and support based on their needs while empowering them with choice and control over their support. Read more…

New social media guidelines are currently being developed for Australian physiotherapists, nurses and other allied health professionals.

In consulting with major stakeholders across the 14 national boards, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) will soon release a draft social media policy for public consultation. The draft is expected to be release in October or November this year. Read more…

New Zealand physios are applauding a report which calls for the early detection and intervention for the 1 in 4 New Zealanders who suffer from a variety of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

The “Fit for Work” report states musculoskeletal disorders, such as arthritis, are the leading cause of disability in New Zealand, a drain on the country’s labour market of valuable skills and cost more than $5.5 billion a year in medical expenses and treatment. Read more…

A new smartphone app is helping physiotherapists educate their patients on neck and spinal manipulation.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has just released the “Manipulation Consent” app, designed for iPads and iPhones, to end confusion for physiotherapists when it comes to obtaining informed consent from patients to perform spinal manipulation. Read more…

Qualified physiotherapists Karen Hanlen (women’s cross-country mountain bike), Sarah Cowley (heptathlon), Alexis Pritchard-Todd (women’s boxing) and Quentin Rew (50 kilometre race walk) will form an integral part of New Zealand’s gold rush at the London Olympic Games.

The four will also be supported by 13 physiotherapists, part of the the 27-member health crew for New Zealand’s Olympic team. Read more…