ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander students from across Ipswich and the Moreton Bay region have experienced a day in the life of a physiotherapist thanks to a new pilot program at Mater Hospital Brisbane.
The school-based trainees from the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, Pathways Our Way Academy (POWA) included Cienna Fuller-Chapman, who attends Hymba Yumba Independent School in Springfield.
Cienna said the day gave her a better insight into the many different career paths associated with physiotherapy.
“I wasn’t necessarily interested or knew much about physiotherapy until I started my Allied Health Assistant school-based traineeship with POWA,” she said.
“Now it’s certainly something I would consider for my future, and it has opened my eyes to new opportunities.”
The enthusiastic cohort learned how to strap an ankle injury, assist with movement and baby handling techniques and took part in simulation physiotherapy sessions in a make-shift Intensive Care Unit.
Mater physiotherapist Felicity Prebble facilitated the program and said that, according to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, only 0.7% of physiotherapists are recognised as a First Nations person1.
“Increasing the representation of this population in healthcare is vital to ensure we are delivering considered and specific healthcare,” Mrs Prebble said.
“Research has shown that increasing the involvement of First Nations people within healthcare delivers positive outcomes, helping to close the gap and leading to increased cultural awareness, understanding and exposure.”
Mater Foundation has provided $10,000 to fund the program for First Nations high school students, with the aim of increasing representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the healthcare workforce.
