Moving Forward - Occupational Health (Broadening the Scope of Physiotherapy Practice in Work Injury Prevention and Management)

Brief outline (Detailed outline)

This one-day workshop will provide an overview of current and future Occupational Health Physiotherapy Practice from the WCPT Regions. The morning session will focus on Injury Prevention and the afternoon session will focus on Injury Management.

Objectives

• Awareness of the range of work environment assessment tools and their practical application.
• Develop an understanding of the scope of physiotherapy practice in the area of work injury prevention.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the complexity and various stakeholder perspectives in the rehabilitation and return to work initiatives for injured workers.

Organiser 

Paul Rothmore (Australia)

Positions/Appointments: Lecturer and Program Director for the Postgraduate Occupational Health and Safety Management Program in the Discipline of Public Health at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. Member of the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Professional Development Panel: Past-president of Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia (SA Branch), Standards Australia Committee Chair; and a member of the International Ergonomics Association Technical Committee on Healthcare Ergonomics.  Teaching/Presentations: Post-graduate Lecturer in OHS and Ergonomics at the University of Adelaide, South Australia.  Presentations: Paul has presented at State, National and International Conferences including The International Ergonomics Association Triennial Conference (South Korea) in 2003 and Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Conference (Amsterdam) in 2001. Publications: Publications (journals and conference proceedings) include: Rothmore P, (2002) Lead Aprons, Radiographers and Discomfort: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Occupational Health and Safety (Australia and New Zealand). 18(4) 357-366.  Rothmore P, Elix G, Ben-Tovim D, Messenger H, Pearce S, Hakendorf P (2000)  A Study of Manual Handling Injury Among Nurses in Divisions of Medicine at Two Teaching Hospitals, in Moving in on Occupational Injury (D. Worth, Ed.) Butterworth-Heineman, London. Rothmore P, Elix G, Evans O, Ben-Tovim (2003) Evaluating Postural Demand in Nursing - the Postural Demand Score (PDS). Proceedings of the XVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association. South Korea.  Rothmore P (2003) Lead Aprons, Radiographers and Discomfort.  Proceedings of the XVth Triennial Congress of the International Ergonomics Association. South Korea.  Research Information: Paul’s research interests are primarily related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Current research grants include the validation of a "Behavioural Change Approach to the Prevention of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders," "Fatigue induced loading on the lumbar spine" and “Hazard Surveillance for the Primary Prevention of Occupational Asthma: A National Demonstration Project “.  Professional Practice: Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist and Ergonomist.  Membership/Honours: Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist, Fellow Australian  College of Physiotherapists, member of Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia Professional Development Panel.

Speakers

Rose Boucaut (Australia)

Positions/Appointments: Senior Lecturer, OHS, School of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy), University of South Australia.  Teaching/Presentations: University of South Australia Final Year Physiotherapy Student Course Coordinator of ‘OHS in Physiotherapy Practice’.  Recent Publications: R Boucaut, J Coffee and P Neumann (2008). Safe manual handling: pelvic floor considerations. Physiotherapy, 94(4):314-316.  R Boucaut (2008) OHS students: Reaching a decision about hosting placements.  Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 24(1):43–53.  Boucaut R, McPhee B, Otto B, Rothmore P, and Worth D (2009). Reflections on the specialisation journey in Occupational Health Physiotherapy – perspectives from both candidates and examiners. Australian Physiotherapy Association Congress, Sydney.  Boucaut R (2009). Towards an International Federation of Physiotherapists in Work and Health. Australian Physiotherapy Association Congress, Sydney.  Boucaut R and McPhee B (2009). Workshop on Preparation of portfolios for OHP Tilting. Australian Physiotherapy Association Congress, Sydney.  Research: Professional Practice: Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist, Fellow Australian College of Physiotherapists, Australian College of Physiotherapists Council committee member. Immediate Past Chair of the Professional Development Panel of Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia.

Mike Fray (United Kingdom)

Position/Appointments: Research Fellow Dept of Ergonomics and Visiting Fellow Business School, Loughborough University.  Teaching/Presentations: As course tutor to the Postgraduate Programme in Back Care Management, I deliver and develop a range of applied therapy, occupational health and ergonomics modules to post-graduate, post experience learners.  Publications: Hignett, S., Fray, M.,et al. (2007). Implementation of the Manual Handing Directive in the Healthcare Industry in the European Union for Patient Handling tasks.  International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. April 2007.  Hignett S, Crumpton E, Ruszala S, Alexander P, Fray M, Fletcher B, ''Intervention Strategies to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated with Handling Patients: a Systematic Review'' , Occupational Environmental Medicine , 60 , 2003, 8 pp ,  Fray M., Hignett S., 2009. Measuring the success of patient handling interventions in healthcare across the EU.  Proceedings of IEA Conference Beijing 2009.  Fray M., Hignett S., 2009. The evaluation of a prototype patient handling device to assist in a horizontal lateral transfer. Proceedings of IEA Conference Beijing 2009.  Research: In the Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety Unit our research applications range across many different sectors of physical risks in health and social care.  The key focus of my research is in the management of musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare workers and the development of safe management systems.  Specialising in physical work environments we have projects covering ambulance design and emergency medicine, hospital design and many product evaluations especially for hospital furniture and moving and handling equipment.  Professional Practice: Full time lecturing and research in injury prevention and management.  Membership/Honours: MCSP, SRP, Graduate Member Ergonomics Society.

Martin Mackey (Australia)

Positions/Appointments: Lecturer and Researcher, Discipline of Physiotherapy and the Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit (The University of Sydney).  Teaching/Presentations: Undergraduate and Graduate Occupational Health Physiotherapy curriculum Coordinator. He has presented his research findings at local and international scientific conferences including as an invited speaker and was recently convenor of the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia Conference in 2009.  Publications: Martin has 15 peer-reviewed publications and Martin’s recent publications and presentations include: Mackey MG, et al (2009) Effects of a walking program on the health and work-ability of an ageing sedentary workforce in a university community. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 55 (4) (E Suppl).  Griffiths KL, Mackey MG, Adamson BJ (2009) A study of behavioural, psychological and psychophysiological risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms in sample of Australian Public Sector employees Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 55 (4) (E Suppl).  Mackey MG, et al (2008) The effects of a work-site exercise program on the physical fitness and work-ability of older workers: a randomised controlled trial.  2nd International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands April 13-16.  Research: Martin has received over $A380,000 in research funding.  Professional Practice: Occupational Health Physiotherapy.  Membership/Honours: He is a past chair of Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia (NSW Chapter).

Dee Daley (United States of America)

Positions/Appointments:  After receiving a Bachelors of Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac University, Dee received her Masters of Science in Health Professions Education from North Carolina State University and DPT from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.  She currently serves as the Vice President and Education Chair of the APTA Orthopedic Section Occupational Health Special Interest Group (OHSIG), and is also the president of the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association. Dee has served on the board of directors for both groups for several years, as a delegate to the APTA House of Delegates and was also the chair of the APTA Task Force on Continuing Clinical Competence.  Teaching/Presentations: In addition to teaching post professional continuing education with WorkWell, Dee has presented at the North Carolina Physical Therapy Insurers Forum (Functional Capacity Evaluation: Getting the Answers you Need), APTA Combined Sections Meeting (Changing the Paradigm of Work Rehab: Generating/Developing Positive Results for Workers and Therapists), the National Association of Occupational Health Professions Conference (Modifying Worker Behavior through Adult Learning Principles) and has presented at several state industry conferences in North Carolina.  Publications: Dee was an author of the Occupational Health Physical Therapy Practice Analysis in the Orthopaedic Section publication, Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Practice.  Professional Practice: Her role at WorkWell also involves working with employers and therapists in the implementation of onsite programs, including both injury prevention and injury management programs.  Membership/Honours: She is currently involved in the OHSIG efforts to petition for a specialization in occupational health physical therapy in the United States.

Venerina Johnston (Australia)

Positions/Appointments: Lecturer, Physiotherapy Division, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland.  Teaching/Presentations: Teach in the undergraduate, graduate-entry masters and post-graduate physiotherapy programs at The University of Queensland in the area of occupational physiotherapy. Venerina has presented at national and international conferences including the International Ergonomics Association conference, 2006 and the Work Disability Prevention Conference, 2010.  Publications: Dr Johnston has 16 publications in peer reviewed journals such as Ergonomics, Applied Ergonomics, Spine, Pain, the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy and has presented 11 conference papers.  Research: Dr Johnston is an early career researcher in the CCRE SPINE and most research contributions have been subsequent to her doctoral studies. Her research portfolio includes investigating the source of musculoskeletal neck pain in sedentary workers; the methods used by physiotherapists to determine readiness to return to work and secondary prevention of disability following a workplace injury. Current research projects include an Australian Research Council-Linkage research grant to explore self-management for return to work. Dr Johnston has obtained $256,338.62 in research grants to date.  Membership/Honours: Past Chair of the QLD chapter of the Occupational Health Physiotherapy group and Chair of the Scientific Committee of the inaugural Occupational Health Physiotherapy Conference, 2007. Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association; Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia and the Australian Association for the Manual Handling of People.

Elisabet Schell (Sweden)

Positions/Appointments: Working as an Ergonomist in the Department of Occupational Health at Swedish Radio and Television.  Teaching/Presentations: Daily educating in ergonomics, health, work environment, mental stress. Responsible for seminars and education at our Occupational  Health department. Teaching Medical students at Karolinska Institutet in Work environment and Occupational  Health theories & practical work.  Supervisor for students at Occupational Health Education at Karolinska Institutet.  A vast number of international and national oral presentations, published scientific papers and reports.  Publications: Elisabet Schell , Tores Theorell , Helena Saraste (2007) “Workplace aesthetics and ergonomics – associations to occupational  and individual health factors: an exploratory analysis of employee  perceptions?” Accepted abstract for  presentation at ”Nordiska Ergonomisällskapets  internationella kongressNES)” in Lysekil, Sweden. Elisabet Schell , Tores Theorell ,Dan Hasson, Bengt Arnetz, Helena Saraste1 (2007)   “Physiological stress markers and pain in neck, shoulder and back in  healthy media workers. 12 months´ prospective follow-up.”    Accepted abstract for presentation at WCPT, Vancouver, Canada. Elisabet Schell , Tores Theorell , Helena Saraste  (2007)   “Workplace aesthetics and ergonomics – associations to occupational  and individual health factors: an exploratory analysis of employee  perceptions?” Accepted abstract for presentation at  WCPT, Vancouver, Canada. Elisabet Schell , Tores Theorell, Helena Saraste (2005)  “Workplace design and health performance” Published abstract in proceedings  and oral presentation performed at International scientific congress within International  Academy for Design and Health, Frankfurt 2005, Germany.  Research: Elisabet’s research is primarily focussed on the application of ergonomic principles to the work environment.  Professional Practice: Elisabet has been employed in the area of OHS for 30-40 years (both as a private practitioner and an employee). She is currently a Manage and Project Leader for a Rehabilitation Department.  Membership/Honours: Zonta International (grounded in Boston 1919) a s o. 

Gunvor Gard (Sweden) 

Positions/Appointments: Assoc. Professor (Physiotherapy), Assoc. Professor in Design Science.  Department of Health Sciences Lund University, Sweden and Dept. of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.  Teaching/Presentations: I supervise five PhD students at Lund University working with stroke rehabilitation, community home rehabilitation, ethics, cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions and theoretical studies to develop the knowledge base in physiotherapy.  Publications: (A selection of recent articles) Gard G and Söderberg S. How can a work rehabilitation process be improved? A qualitative study from the perspective of social insurance officers. Disability and Rehabilitation, 2004; 26:299-305.  Gard G and Lundvik Gyllensten A. Are emotions important for good interaction in treatment situations. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2004;20:1-13.  Skjerven L, Gard G and Kristoffersen R. Greek sculptures as a tool in understanding the phenomenon of quality of movement. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 2004; 8/3: 227-236.  Söderberg S, Jumisko E, Gard G. Experiences of a work rehabilitation process. Disability and Rehabilitation, 2004, 26,7:419-424.  Sjödahl C,Gard G,Jarnlo G. Coping after trans-femoral amputation due to trauma or tumour – a phenomenological approach. Disability and Rehabilitation 2004;26,14/15,951-861.  Gard G. Body awareness therapy for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Disability and Rehabilitation 2005;27:12:725-728.  Gard G. How can Cooperation between Rehabilitation Actors in Rehabilitation Planning be improved? WORK 2005; 24: 1-6 (on line tidskrift) Gard G & Berggård G. Healthy individuals walking on slippery surfaces. Applied Ergonomics 2005; 10.1016/j.apergo.2005.04.004 (on-linetidskrift).  Gard G, Cavlak U, Thrane Sundén B & Ozdincler A R. Life-views and ethical viewpoints among physiotherapy students in Sweden and Turkey – a comparative study. Advances in Physiotherapy 2005,7:20-31.  Gard G, Rivano M, Grahn B. Development and reliability of the Motivation for Change Questionnaire, Disability and Rehabilitation 2005;27,17:967-976.  Gard G, Larsson A. How can cooperation between rehabilitation professionals in rehabilitation planning be improved? A qualitative study from the employer’s perspective. Work 2006; 26,2:191-196. Anita Melander-Wikman, Maria Jansson and Gunvor Gard. The MobiHealth usability evaluation questionnaire. Journal of Telemedicine and Telehealth 2005. (on-line tidskrift) Larsson I, Gard G. Conceptions of physiotherapy knowledge among Swedish physiotherapists a phenomenological study. Physiotherapy 2006; 92:110-115.  Gard G. Body awareness therapy for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Disability and Rehabilitation 2005;27:12:725-728.  Gard G, Berggård G. Assessment of anti-slip devices from healthy individuals in different ages walking on slippery surfaces. Applied Ergonomics 2006;37:177-186.  Research: My research concern is the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders from a biopsychosocial and human factors perspective with a focus on ergonomic, psychosocial and work organizational interventions and occupational rehabilitation and method development in these areas. Within prevention my research deals with identifying the preventive effects of different healthy factors in an individual’s work and/or life situation such as fall motivation, stress-preventive factors, physical activity, fall preventive factors, psychosocial, life-style and cultural factors and the importance of values and ethics. My research also deals with how rehabilitation can be of higher quality and more cost-effective as well as theoretical studies to develop the knowledge base in physiotherapy for example concerning movement quality, body awareness and psychosomatics.  Professional Practice: I supervise five PhD students at Lund University working with stroke rehabilitation, community home rehabilitation, ethics, cost-effectiveness of physical activity interventions and theoretical studies to develop the knowledge base in physiotherapy.  Membership/Honours: Referee in Safety Science, Disability and Rehabilitation and Advances in Physiotherapy. I am a member of a research group focusing on scientific method development within the Nordic Council of Ministers, European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology and International Ergonomics Association and an ergonomic network SOUND.

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