Introducing Dr Ashan Weerakkody! After 7 years of persistence and dedication, I have finished my PhD studies.

I’m proud to share that I have officially passed my PhD, marking the culmination of almost 7 years of research, clinical application, and personal growth. This milestone has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding chapters of my career as a neurological physiotherapist in Perth, Western Australia.

My research focused on implementing modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT), an evidence-based upper limb rehabilitation program for stroke survivors, across a large early-supported discharge (ESD) service. It was an ambitious project that brought together implementation science, leadership, and real-world clinical problem-solving to improve access to high-quality stroke rehabilitation.

From Theory to Practice: Making Implementation Science Real

When I began my PhD in 2018, frameworks like the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) seemed complex and far removed from daily clinical work. Over time, I discovered how powerful they can be in guiding meaningful change in health services. These frameworks became the backbone of my work, helping me identify barriers, design tailored solutions, and measure outcomes.

Implementing mCIMT in a busy metropolitan health service meant navigating competing priorities, resource limitations, and shifting clinical demands, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I learned that changing practice is not just about knowing the evidence; it is about adapting it to fit the local context, engaging stakeholders, and balancing methodological rigour with pragmatism.

Building Resilience, Leadership, and Collaboration

My PhD was as much about personal growth as it was about generating new evidence. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of co-design, working alongside clinicians, managers, and executives to achieve shared goals. I developed my leadership skills, learned how to advocate for best-practice care, and found ways to bridge the different perspectives of therapists, health managers, and stroke survivors.

Lessons from Listening to Stroke Survivors

One of the most transformative aspects of my research was interviewing stroke survivors and their carers. These conversations reinforced that clinicians often underestimate what people are capable of achieving and that true patient-centred care comes from listening, not just prescribing.

I have carried these lessons into my clinical practice at Cortex Neuro Rehab, where I work with stroke survivors and people with neurological conditions to help them reach their full potential. This means creating collaborative treatment plans, setting goals that are meaningful to the person, and ensuring no one is excluded from an intervention that might benefit them.

Commitment and Sacrifice for Better Patient Outcomes

This PhD required more than academic skill; it demanded personal sacrifice. Without dedicated funding for the intervention, I invested weekends, annual leave, and long service leave into developing, delivering, and evaluating the program. While this level of commitment may not be possible in all clinical settings, it reinforced my belief that complex rehabilitation interventions are worth the effort when they change lives.

Why This Matters for My Patients in Perth

Completing my PhD is not just about adding letters after my name. It represents a deep, evidence-based skillset that I bring to every patient I see. Stroke survivors and people with neurological conditions who work with me at Cortex Neuro Rehab benefit from:

• Access to cutting-edge, research-backed rehabilitation techniques

• Expertise in implementation science to ensure therapies are applied effectively in real-world settings

• A proven ability to adapt best-practice care to the unique needs of each person

• Experience leading large-scale rehabilitation projects within complex health systems

My goal is to provide the highest standard of neurological physiotherapy in Perth and Western Australia, ensuring every patient has the best possible chance of achieving their goals.

If you are a stroke survivor or living with a neurological condition and want to explore evidence-based, personalised rehabilitation, contact Cortex Neuro Rehab today.I bring the research, the clinical expertise, and the commitment to help you get there.

Thanks for reading,

Ashan