Physiotherapy New Zealand - Otago Branch

22/04/2025

Call for Abstracts: Southern Symposium (SPS11)

Attention, all South Island professionals! 🌟 We're excited to announce the Southern Symposium (SPS11), a regional event designed to bring together experts, share knowledge, and spark meaningful discussions.

Date: Fri 31st October - Sun 2nd November
Location: Tūhura Otago Museum

Call for Abstracts: We are currently seeking abstracts for presentations. If you have expertise or research to share, we’d love to hear from you!

🔗 Please contact Physiotherapy New Zealand at pnz@physiotherapy.org.nz for Abstract/Poster guidelines and the template

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the future of physiotherapy and connect with like-minded individuals. Don’t miss out - submit your abstract today!

🔵 Stay tuned for more details and event updates!

17/03/2025

OTAGO BRANCH EDUCATION FUND!
Just a reminder that applications for the next round of the Otago Branch Education Fund Award are due. We are extending the deadline from 31st March to Tuesday 15th April at 5pm.

This award funds a maximum of $1,500 towards professional development or research related activities for Otago branch members.

*Note that the fund does not cover course fees for University post-graduate papers or equipment for research

An email has been sent to all Otago Branch members with full details. If any further questions please email Oliva Galea for more information - olivia.galea@otago.ac.nz

Send a message to learn more

13/03/2025

UPCOMING EVENT -
We are pleased to invite you to our education session Joint Efforts — Non-surgical solutions for hip and knee Osteoarthritis.
Date & time: Monday 24 March, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Venue: zoom webinar
Booking: https://mobilehealth.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1whyS7OoQACl6V0M_RHQ1A
Allied health clinicians are in a strong position to positively influence the journey of patients with Osteoarthritis (OA). Join us for an evidence-based discussion on non-surgical solutions for the management of OA.
Topics for discussion:
• The evidence for behaviour and lifestyle management of OA
• Clinical presentation/diagnosis
• Non-surgical management of OA
o Education, myth busting and thinking about the language we use
o Mobility Action Plan (MAP)—what is it, how to refer and talking to your patients about it (available in Canterbury)
o Key tips about eating well
o Other services to support patients
Presenters
• Kate Bryce—Physiotherapist, PhD candidate (University of Sydney), MAP
• Cate Broderick—Physiotherapist, MAP
• Sally Watson—Dietitian
A certificate of attendance will be provided.
The session will be recorded and made available on Allied Healthways if you can't attend on the night.
This education session is suitable for all allied health professionals.

11/03/2025

Upcoming Event!
Mary’s courses offer invaluable skills for patients of all ages, from Critical care or an inpatient ward to outpatients or the community and she is giving a FREE lunchtime webinar on the 25th March where she will introduce her Soda Pop model which is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of how brilliant she is as a world renowned speaker and thought leader.

________________________________________________________________

Taste the Soda - An Intro Mary Massery Workshop
Free for all - register on PNZ website!

Send a message to learn more

10/03/2025

Save the Date - Southern Physiotherapy Symposium (SPS11)
We're thrilled to welcome back the Southern Physiotherapy Symposium this year, now in a brand-new location - Dunedin.

Join us at the Otago Museum for two days of learning and networking, plus the option to attend half-day workshops on Sunday.

We can't wait to see you there!

Dates: Friday 31st Oct & Saturday 1st Nov 2025
Sunday 2nd Nov – half-day workshops

More information to come!

14/11/2024

Come and join us for a drink!

WHEN - Friday 29th November - 5:00pm onwards
WHERE - Emersons Brewery (70 Anzac Ave, Dunedin)

Please register via PNZ.

See you there 🙂

25/09/2024

UPCOMING EVENT - CONCUSSION INJURY TARGETTED MANAGEMENT

WHEN: Saturday 12th October 8:45am - 5:00pm
WHERE: School of Physiotherapy - University of Otago

WHAT: Concussion can be complex, and at times overwhelming. In this practical workshop emphasis will be placed on hands on learning. You will learn simple strategies to decipher which systems are driving your patients' symptoms, and how you can tailor your approach to each individual case. The workshop format and a minimum of two teaching staff will provide opportunity for individualised feedback and leave you feeling more confident with some useful practical skills for concussion management.
Your instructors Katherine Forch and Dr Olivia Galea are researchers and highly experienced clinicians in the concussion space.

We will cover vestibular, oculomotor and cervical spine post-injury management with emphasis on essentials for assessment, subtype differentiation and treatment. A great introduction to concussion management for the less experienced clinician.

See PNZ website to register!

05/08/2024

Upcoming Event:

Title: Post Hysterectomy Care
Presenter: Dr Carina Siracusa, PT, DPT, EdD, WCS, OncCS
Date: Thursday 8th August 2024
Time: 12:00pm via Zoom

Objectives:
• Describe the types of hysterectomy surgical procedures and the implications for physiotherapy
• Create a comprehensive plan of care for physiotherapy after hysterectomy

Pricing: PNZ Members: $40
Students: $20
Non-PNZ Members: $50

See PNZ events to register now

Send a message to learn more

02/08/2024

Come and join us for a Knee Study Day!
WHEN - Saturday 10th August - 9am - 5pm
WHERE - School of Physiotherapy and Anatomy Museum
WHAT - The knee study day will begin with an ‘anatomy refresher’ session facilitated by Prof Steph Woodley at the Anatomy Museum at the University of Otago. This will be followed by sessions from several clinicians/academics from the School of Physiotherapy who are undertaking world leading knee related research.

PRICING - Otago Branch Member: $100.
PNZ Member: $150
Non-PNZ Member: $200

See PNZ events to register

17/06/2024

PNZ Otago Branch are hosting Journal Club!
Come and join us online!

Picking clinical phenotype using symptom reporting post-concussion: Do they help, or do they hinder?

In this edition of the quarterly Otago Branch journal club series, we review common clinical profiles post-concussion and evaluate how methods of identifying injury phenotype may influence treatment outcome using the most recent evidence. This will be illustrated through review of a clinical trial where the effect of phenotype directed treatment was evaluated. Comparison of this trial to other trials with varying clinical decision making/ participant selection approaches will highlight any potential limitations of over-reliance on symptom reporting to inform clinical decision making and how we can avoid this in clinical practice.

ARTICLE - Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: a randomised controlled trial
HOSTED BY - Dr Olivia Galea and Melissa Thomson

WHEN - Wednesday 19th June at 7pm
WHERE - Online / via Zoom

PRICING - Branch member: $5.00 PNZ member and non-member: $10.00

See PNZ for registration link!

10/04/2024

UPCOMING EVENT

The PSIG (Paediatric Special Interest Group) committee have asked us to share their seminar in May with you. This will be a hybrid event, details below:

Paediatric Symposium

If you are new into paediatrics, would like to work in paediatrics or have children coming into your practice then this Symposium is aimed at supporting you.
We are also happy to offer this to 4th year Physiotherapy students.

Title: New to paediatrics: holistic development

Location: Online Zoom & In-person in Middlemore Hospital, Auckland

Date: Saturday 11th May 2024

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm

See PNZ events directory for more details!

Send a message to learn more

27/03/2024

Central Otago Autumn Physio Series

- Do you feel confident with sideline identification of suspected concussion?
- Do you feel comfortable assessing your patients with concussion acutely with a view to optimising treatment options?
- How do you know your patient is ready for a return to sport?

Want to find out more?
Come and join us!

WHAT - Concussion Assessment and Management in the Sporting Context
WHEN - Friday 5th April 6:30pm
WHERE - Wanaka Community Hub or online

Check out PNZ for more details and to register now!

07/02/2024

Hey PNZ Otago Branch!
Keen to meet other physiotherapists in Dunedin?
Come and join us for a drink!
TOMORROW night - Friday 9th February - 5:30pm onwards at Joes Garage (19 Frederick St, Dunedin)
See you there :)