1A: Empowering Healthcare Professionals: Building Wellbeing Through Values, Boundaries, and Nervous System Regulation
Chair: Dr Josephine Braid, Bathurst Health Service, NSW
Healthcare professionals face unprecedented challenges that impact their wellbeing and ability to provide optimal patient care. This interactive workshop addresses critical gaps in professional sustainability by exploring three foundational pillars of thriving healthcare practice.
Participants will discover how to align their work with personal values and priorities, establish healthy boundaries while maintaining compassionate care, and develop practical nervous system regulation techniques for managing stress and preventing burnout. Through evidence-based strategies and experiential learning, attendees will gain actionable tools to enhance their professional longevity and personal wellbeing.
This workshop directly supports the conference theme of "Bridging Rehabilitation Gaps" by addressing the wellbeing gap that affects healthcare professionals' capacity to serve their patients effectively. Participants will leave with a personalized toolkit for sustainable practice and renewed sense of professional empowerment.
Speakers:
Dr Susannah Ward, Ataraxia Collective, NSW
Dr Olivia Ong, Monash Health, VIC
1B: Rehabilitation Models in Challenging or Austere Environments
Chair: Dr Sumitha Gounden, Orange Health Service, NSW
Delivering effective rehabilitation in austere, resource-limited, and geographically isolated settings demands innovation, cultural understanding, and flexibility. Across diverse contexts from post-earthquake Pakistan to remote Indigenous communities in Australia’s Northern Territory and the scattered islands of Fiji common challenges emerge: difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, environmental barriers, and the need for culturally safe engagement.
Following Pakistan’s 2005 devastating earthquake, a multidisciplinary SCI rehab response aided by international experts was launched resulting in reduced complications and better outcomes. It continued for some time as outreach program but two decades later several success and failures stories demonstrate how targeted early rehabilitation can transform lives in low resourced settings and ignoring it can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
In Fiji, vast ocean distances and extremely difficult hilly terrain require home-based rehabilitation delivered by sea. Fiji outreach rehabilitation clinics demonstrates that flexible outreach, locally trained workforces, and context-appropriate technologies are key to overcoming barriers.
In the Northern Territory, 30 years of outreach rehabilitation to Indigenous communities has demonstrated that consistent engagement is only possible through culturally grounded approaches and use of Aboriginal Liaison Officers who foster trust and communication, enabling community-led care.
These experiences highlight that successful rehabilitation in challenging environments depends not only on clinical expertise but also on sustained community partnerships, adaptable service delivery, and respect for local culture and context.
Speakers:
Dr Farooq Rathore, Combined Military Hospital, Pakistan
Dr Pratima Singh, Tamavua Hospital, Fiji
Dr Howard Flavell, Royal Darwin Palmerston Hospital, NT
Dr Nidhi Gupta, Westmead Hospital, NSW
1C: The clinical rehabilitation management to fatigue from neurological cardiopulmonary and cancer related causes
Chair: Professor Steven Faux, St Vincent's Private Hospital, NSW
Fatigue is a poorly understood sequelae of a number of disability inducing medical illnesses such as stroke, post viral syndromes such as long covid, cardiopulmonary conditions such as heart failure, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension as well as cancer related causes.
Long Covid has taught us about the importance of pacing skills and the management of comorbidities such as sleep apnoea and mental illness in our approaches to the rehabilitation of global symptoms like fatigue. In this session evidence based approaches to the management of fatigue will be discussed such as pacing skills, the introduction of exercise and the management of mental illness. Their development into outpatient and inpatient programs will be presented.
Particular comorbidities such as sleep apnoea and other pulmonary sequelae of disease will be discusses and well as the management of mental illness that may be contributing to fatigue
Speakers:
Dr Sonai Shahid, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, NSW
Dr Frances Wise, St Vincents Hospital Melbourne, VIC
Dr Krystal Song, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC
1D: Ask The Experts: The Unwritten Guide to AFRM Training
Chair: Dr Julie Cadden, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT
This interactive trainee-focused session brings together a panel of experienced rehabilitation physicians from across Australia, each at different stages of their careers. Through a moderated discussion and audience-driven questions, the panel will explore key aspects of AFRM training and career development, including tailoring training to align with career goals, leadership opportunities, mentorship, navigating challenging clinical situations, and maintaining wellbeing.
The session will begin with a series of moderated questions before opening to questions submitted live by trainees via the conference app. Designed to be engaging, practical, and candid, this session offers trainees the opportunity to ask the questions they may not normally ask and hear diverse perspectives from physicians who have navigated the same training pathway.
Join us for an open conversation about the realities, opportunities, and challenges of building a career in rehabilitation medicine.
Speakers:
Dr Gaj Panagoda, Superkid Rehab, QLD
Professor Ruth Marshall, SA Spinal Cord Injury Service, SA
Dr Sindhoora Shetty, Palmerston Regional Hospital, SA
A/Professor Maria Paul, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, SA
Dr Stephen de Graff, Epworth HealthCare, VIC
1E: Free Paper Session: Neuro/Stroke/TBI
2A: Supporting recovery after mild road traffic injury: what does trauma-related collaborative care look like?
Chair: Professor Ian Cameron, John Walsh Centre For Rehabilitation Research, NSW
Mild-to-moderate injuries from road traffic crashes, such as whiplash, are often seen as minor, but can be both physically and emotionally traumatic, leading to ongoing pain, stress, depression, and difficulties returning to daily life. Physical and psychological responses interact closely after trauma. Emotions, thoughts, and somatic symptoms influence each other, and even ‘minor’ injuries can disrupt the brain and body’s ability to regulate stress and recovery.
Clinicians play a crucial role in understanding each person’s unique experience, recognising early risk factors and distress signals, and communicating clearly and compassionately. Working collaboratively with patients and other health professionals within a trauma-related framework can significantly reduce stress, support recovery, and prevent long-term problems by helping patients recognise and respond appropriately, and understand when specialist help is needed.
This workshop will explore the long-term impact of these injuries and common trauma-related reactions that can slow recovery, such as stress, fear and unhelpful thoughts, outlining risk stratification and management options. Using real-world examples, participants will learn practical, evidence-based strategies for early trauma-related intervention, including explaining stress biology, normalising symptoms, setting recovery expectations, and supporting coping and resilience within their scope of practice, with accompanying patient resources to enhance recovery.
Speakers:
Professor Ian Cameron, John Walsh Centre For Rehabilitation Research, NSW
Dr Ilaria Pozzato, John Walsh Centre For Rehabilitation Research, NSW
Professor Justin Kenardy, University Of Queensland, QLD
Dr Annette Kifley, John Walsh Centre For Rehabilitation Research, NSW
2B: Advancing Rehabilitation Research, by AFRM Research Committee
Chair: Dr Pearl Chung, Sydney Adventist Hospital, NSW
This is the inaugural research workshop by the AFRM Research Committee, with a focus on encouraging and enabling clinical research for rehabilitation trainees and physicians.
Firstly, the workshop will explore the lived experience of undertaking rehabilitation research. Based on a recently completed project, the presenter will explore the relevance of their chosen methodology, including qualitative research methodologies, challenges experienced, solutions, and enablers to overcome the barriers, and future directions.
Secondly, the workshop will consider the value of rehabilitation research. The workshop will discuss the place of research in rehabilitation physicians’ skill sets and career trajectories, and how research can be facilitated and supported within the Australasian context.
Thirdly, the workshop will explore types of data and opportunities for working with databases for rehabilitation research. It will discuss the place of outcome measures and statistical analysis in rehabilitation research, and the role of the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre (AROC).
Finally, the workshop will discuss the logistical considerations for success in rehabilitation research, including the pros and cons of undertaking a project within a research institution, hospital, or university context; upskilling and preparedness, including Good Clinical Practice training; governance, ethics applications and approvals; applying for and receiving grants; and tips for publication.
Speakers:
Dr Su Yi Lee, Abi Rehabilitation, New Zealand
Professor Michael Pollack, Hunter Medical Research Institute, NSW
Dr Krystal Song, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC
2C: Continuous Care, Collective Vision: Reimagining rehab from playground to workplace
Chair: Dr Gaj Panagoda, Superkid Rehab & Xstitch Health, QLD
This interactive workshop explores the continuum of rehabilitation medicine from childhood through adulthood, taking a strengths-based approach to reimagining services across the life course.
Five presenters offer diverse perspectives on transition: paediatric rehabilitation physicians Dr Gaj Panagoda, Dr Jimmy Chong, and Dr Katherine Langdon; adult rehabilitation physician Dr Leslie Gan; and Max Bailey-Jensen, a young para athlete with lived experience navigating transition to adulthood.
The workshop has two aims. First, examining transition of care between paediatric and adult services through multiple lenses, identifying promising practices already emerging in Australia and New Zealand. Second, envisioning the future of paediatric rehabilitation medicine and opportunities for enhanced collaboration with adult services.
Participants will engage in facilitated discussions, explore case studies, and collaborate in brainstorming sessions. The emphasis is on interaction over presentation: sharing experiences, learning from colleagues, and building connections. While not expecting to finalise solutions, we'll identify promising starting points for system improvement and map what an integrated, lifetime approach to rehabilitation could look like.
The session may catalyse Special Interest Groups focused on paediatric rehabilitation or a ""life course of rehabilitation"" approach, providing ongoing collaboration platforms beyond the conference.
Speakers:
Dr Gaj Panagoda, Superkid Rehab & Xstitch Health, QLD
Dr Jimmy Chong, Starship Children's Hospital, New Zealand
Mr Max Bailey-Jensen, Person With Lived Experience, QLD
Dr Leslie Gan, Logan Hospital, QLD
Dr Katherine Langdon, Perth Children's Hospital, WA
2D: Telerehabilitation
Chair: Professor Steven Faux, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, NSW
Telerehabilitation has taken off since COVID and its practicality and accessibility is demonstrable. However research into the field in nascent and there are limited studies showing that it is superior to face to face therapy. It does fulfil a role of providing rehab to people living with disabilities where face to face therapy is inaccessible, and as such the momentum of its use cannot be stopped or even held in moratorium while evidence is developed examined and analysed.
But is that a problem that patients need to contend with or is it only a problem for clinicians? Three speakers will discuss the facilitators and barriers to telerehabilitation and will then demonstrate how they might examine people online. This is the skill that many with a strong allegiance and commitment to hands on examination are most puzzled by.
Speakers:
Professor Nam-Jong Paik, Seoul National University, South Korea
Dr Annie Hill, University of Queensland, QLD
Professor Zoe Adey-Wakeling, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA
2E: Free Paper Session: Inequalities/Cultural/Other
3A: 1st Annual Workshop on Approaches to Rehabilitation of Cancer Patients
Chair: Dr Krystal Song, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC
Cancer survival rates continue to rise with advances in treatment, diagnostics, and screening. However, longer life expectancy is often accompanied by physical, cognitive, and psychological challenges that impact quality of life, healthcare resources and work productivity. Cancer rehabilitation is increasingly recognised as an essential component of comprehensive cancer care, addressing these complex and often unmet needs across cancer care and survivorship continuum.
This session will review the state of cancer rehabilitation in Australia and New Zealand alongside the latest evidence-based interventions that improve functional outcomes for common cancer-related impairments across the cancer care continuum. A strong emphasis will be on translating evidence into clinical practice. Participants will gain an understanding of radiation therapy and its treatment-related effects, explore evidence-based management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy using pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, and examine cancer rehabilitation in paediatric populations through a case-based discussion.
Expert speakers will integrate current research with clinical insights, offering practical strategies that can be adapted across diverse healthcare settings. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped to apply evidence-informed, interdisciplinary rehabilitation approaches to optimise functional outcomes and quality of life for cancer survivors.
Speakers:
Dr Krystal Song, Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC
Dr Isidoro Ruisi, Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Liverpool Hospital, NSW
Dr Swatee Jena, Flinders Medical Centre, VIC
Dr Gaj Panagoda, Superkids Rehab, QLD
3B: Reframing Pain: A Clinician’s Guide to Evidence-Based Pain Rehabilitation
Chair: Dr Nathan Johns, Rehabilitation Medicine Group, VIC
Persistent pain is highly prevalent in society and especially in rehabilitation patient populations and is one of the leading causes of years lived with disability in the world. Despite persistent pain being best understood with a biopsychosocial model, a biomedical model of chronic pain is often presented at conferences and practiced in our hospitals and clinics.
In order to understand and practice effective pain rehabilitation, a solid evidence-based understanding of modern pain theories, behavioural strategies and self-management theory are recommended. This needs to be combined with evidence-based treatments including pain neuroscience education, behavioural interventions, self-management interventions, exercise and cognitive-behavioural strategies.
As there are multiple different potential persistent pain presentations for rehabilitation clinicians and a consistent framework for pain rehabilitation will make it easy to assess patients and formulate plans more likely to succeed.
This workshop will develop your skills through interactive case studies for post-surgical, neuropathic and musculoskeletal pain. This will be explored in groups using techniques developed and validated in a recent research program.
Speakers:
Dr Nathan Johns, Rehabilitation Medicine Group, VIC
Professor Ian Cameron, Sydney University, NSW
3C: Climate change and disability – resources and approaches for rehabilitation professionals
Chair: Professor Steven Faux, St Vincent's Private Hospital, NSW
Climate change, extreme weather events, and their social and health impacts, affect people with living with disabilities (PLWD) significantly, however they often remain an afterthought in adaptation efforts or policy development and planning for climate change preparedness. In this workshop multiple case studies of PLWD in the Perth region of WA will be presented and skills are demonstrated in how to discuss heat risks, climate change, and thermoregulation risks on the ward rounds as well as sharing standardized social worker processes focused on applying for the government energy subsidies for air conditioning etc.
Further policy development is discussed to identify areas that could benefit from advocacy by rehabilitation professionals to ensure that PLWD are included in the preparedness and planning for the impact of climate change. Particularly in jurisdictions where disability support services like the NDIS have responsibilities but variable skills.
Finally the disaster relief responses to extreme weather events on PLWD in maintaining their critical needs during energy crises and disruption to accommodation will be discussed. These include responses to fires floods and earthquakes as well as manmade disasters such as power failures.
Speakers:
Dr Emma-Leigh Synott, Fiona Stanley Hospital Perth, WA
Dr Sumitha Gounden, Orange Health Service, NSW
Professor Angie Bone, Monash University, VIC
3D: Cracking Module 3: A Practical Research Roadmap for AFRM Trainees
Chair: Dr Julie Cadden, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT
Completing the AFRM research module is one of the most challenging aspects of fellowship training. While trainees receive extensive education in clinical rehabilitation and disease pathophysiology, many report limited formal teaching in how to actually design, conduct and complete a research project. As a result, Module 3 can feel daunting and difficult to start.
This practical session aims to demystify the research process and provide trainees with a clear framework for approaching their research projects. Three AFRM speakers with varying levels of research experience will share their perspectives - from getting started with an idea, through navigating common obstacles, to completing and publishing a project.
Through practical advice and real-world experiences, this session will help trainees understand how to move from concept to completion, avoid common pitfalls, and develop a manageable plan for their own research work. Whether you are just beginning to think about your project or trying to push a stalled project over the finish line, this session will provide practical strategies to help you progress with confidence.
Speakers:
Dr Farooq Rathore, Combined Military Hospital, Pakistan
Professor Nam-Jong Paik, Seoul National University, South Korea
Dr Laura Goodwins-Duyst, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, SA
3E: Free Paper Session: Older Person/Research/Audit