I had the privilege of attending the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) conference IGNITE 2023 last week in Brisbane, and I must say it was an amazing experience. The conference theme was “Ignite your passion for physiotherapy”, and I certainly felt inspired and energised by the great presentations and speakers, the fantastic networking opportunities with neuro physios across Australia, and the recognition of my own research work.
The conference program was diverse and comprehensive, covering topics such as pain, neurology, sports, paediatrics, gerontology, women’s health, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, oncology, and more. There were also workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and poster sessions to enhance the learning experience. Some of the highlights for me were:
The plenary session by futurist and speaker Gihan Perera, who shared his insights on how to become comfortable with change and adapt in times of flux. He challenged us to think about how we can leverage technology, data, and innovation to create value for our clients and our profession.
A panel discussion on the future of "hands on" physiotherapy and its place in our practice. The neurology group was represented by Sarah Fitzhenry, Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist, who did a great job advocating for neurological practice and our need to follow the evidence when de-implementing long-standing but ineffective approaches.
The pre-conference workshops were amazing. We had Susan Whitney, Anne Mucha and Alec Ring present provide practical insights into managing concussion. In the afternoon, Jill Francis and Marlena Klaic went through practical application of implementation science frameworks to advance evidence-based practice. The whole day was awesome for my learning, my passion is translating evidence-based practice to real-world application- I couldn't ask for more for the pre-conference workshops.
One of the most rewarding moments for me was presenting my own research on my recently published systematic review on the perceptions and experiences of constraint-induced movement therapy. This was a packed session and I hope my findings resonate with the clinicians who attended. I was honoured to receive the best clinician researcher award for the neuro stream, which recognises excellence in clinical research that contributes to the advancement of neuro physiotherapy practice.
The conference also provided a wonderful opportunity to network with other neuro physios from across Australia. I met many new friends and colleagues who share my passion for neurology and neurorehabilitation. I enjoyed exchanging ideas, experiences, and challenges with them, and learning from their expertise and perspectives. I also reconnected with some old friends and mentors who have influenced my career path and professional development.
Overall, IGNITE 2023 was a fantastic conference that exceeded my expectations. I learned a lot, had fun, and felt inspired to continue pursuing my passion for neuro physiotherapy. I would like to thank the APA for organising such a high-quality event, and all the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and delegates for making it a memorable experience. I look forward to attending the next APA conference in 2025.
My attendance in Brisbane was part of a small cohort of Perth-based neurological physiotherapists. At Cortex Neuro Rehab, you can be confident that we keep engaged with the latest evidence; in fact, we contribute to the latest evidence in driving our profession to provide best rehabilitation care. If you would like more information about the conference, like my blog post, or want to know more about how we can help you achieve your goals- contact us today.
Thanks for reading,
Ashan
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