Media releases

Federation University Australia physiotherapy students are breaking down regional barriers to healthcare with the launch of a telehealth clinic this month.

The free Federation University Physiotherapy Virtual Care Clinic will give Gippslanders with chronic health conditions access to healthcare while providing students with real-world experience in the emerging area of telehealth, preparing them to enter the regional workforce.

The clinic will run from Monday to Thursday each week for 40 weeks, and will be led by two physiotherapy students supported by their clinical supervisors. It will provide physio services for people living with musculoskeletal conditions like chronic pain and osteoarthritis; neurological conditions such as problems with balance and coordination; respiratory conditions like asthma and long-COVID; and pelvic health conditions including incontinence and pelvic pain.

Patients will need to be referred to the clinic by a general practitioner, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional.

This clinic is one of six clinical placements students will be learning from as they prepare to join the regional workforce.

Federation University launched its physiotherapy program in 2021 in response to local allied health workforce shortages, with the first cohort of students set to graduate in 2024.

For more information about the clinic and referral, visit http://federation.edu.au/federation-allied-healthcare/physiotherapy-clinic   

Quotes attributable to Federation University Professor of Physiotherapy, Louisa Remedios

“Federation University is working with local healthcare providers to address skills shortages and provide a pipeline of students primed for the regional workforce.”

“We know people living and working in regional areas with chronic health conditions face long waiting lists, distance and cost barriers to care and we hope this clinic can help to support their access to physiotherapy.”

“At the same time, it will give our students well-rounded knowledge to enter the local workforce, exposing them to different groups of patients and building their telehealth skills.”