2024 Conference Highlights
Our team of Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, and administrative support staff all came together in September for our annual Move for Better Health Conference!
Our two-day conference at Fullarton Park Community Centre provided valuable opportunities to share insights and build meaningful connections within our team as well as with our external speakers!
We were fortunate to have the support of OPC Health, who were once again our Conference Partners. OPC Health is a long term supplier to Move for Better Health in South Australia. We are very grateful for their support of our team’s learning and development. Their team has a great clinical mindset, making our interactions with them beneficial for us but also the outcome of the clients! We are looking forward to having them at our clinic in the next couple of months as Conference Partners to present to us at an upcoming professional development session.
We would also like to thank our sponsors, Perks Business & Wealth, for their continued support of our program. Being a business that has grown over the years, just like us, this has been a great relationship to nurture over 25 years. They are able to provide their services as financial advisors at a business level as well as individually for practitioners.
A Warm Welcome and Reflection on Our Journey
Mastering Communication: Kate Mason’s Guide to Understanding Personality
As our first guest speaker, we were fortunate to have Kate Mason, also known as “The Personality Coach”. Kate is an accomplished author, podcaster, and expert in helping people connect with and understand others. Her expertise in personality and communication styles has helped countless individuals, including business professionals, build stronger connections. You can learn more about her work at The Personality Coach.
Kate’s presentation focused on how understanding your own personality can improve your ability to relate to others. We explored the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to better understand our personality types. Using a worksheet, we determined our own types and compared the segments, gaining insights into how these personality traits influence our interactions. She emphasised that we all have unique perspectives, shaped by our experiences, environment, and the way we view the world. She explained that even a single word can change the entire context of a conversation.
Kate stressed that while not all of us are qualified therapists, integrating active listening into our daily conversations can lead to more meaningful and effective communication. Overall, Kate’s presentation left us with practical tools to better understand ourselves and others, helping us improve both personal and professional relationships.
Our Pecha Kucha Competition
After a successful inaugural appearance, our Pecha Kucha competition returned! If you are unfamiliar, Pecha Kucha is a fast-paced presentation format where speakers present 20 slides with only 20 seconds per slide. This year, we had six participants who shared on a variety of topics.
Estelle from iNform Health & Fitness kicked off with an insightful look into pole dancing, discussing its history, performances, and the strength required for competition.
Sam Campagnale from Physiotherapy linked his recent holiday photos from Canada and the U.S. to questions from the FESS (Food, Exercise, Sleep & Stress) questionnaire.
Andrea Castello from AC Podiatry shared how his soccer club became his second family, transitioning from childhood rival to director of the women’s football team.
Cody from iNform brought a passionate presentation on field hockey, shedding light on the sport’s history and its personal significance to her family.
Neralie and Olivia from NLC Psychology wrapped up the competition with an engaging talk on ADHD myths and tips on neuro-affirming behaviours.
The competition was a hit, with Andrea taking first place, followed by Cody in second, and the NLC Team in third.
Are We Fitter Today? Professor Grant Tomkinson Unpacks the Data
To begin our second day of conference presentations, we had the privilege of hearing from Professor Grant Tomkinson, a world-renowned expert and research professor at UniSA, and a member of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA). His research has played a significant role in shaping national and international policy, with contributions to Australia, Canada, France, the UK, and even the International Olympic Committee’s stance on fitness and health among young people through sport and physical activity.
Grant’s presentation focused on the intriguing question of whether people are fitter today compared to the past. He delved into measures of aerobic and muscle fitness, including strength and endurance, offering both national and international comparisons.
The Future of Allied Health: AI Revolution with PatientNotes
Darren Ross from PatientNotes presented on the latest advances in AI, particularly its impact on healthcare and allied health practices. PatientNotes, an Australian startup founded in July 2023, is pioneering clinical documentation with the help of generative AI.
Darren demonstrated how PatientNotes streamlines the process of writing clinical notes, treatment plans, patient summaries, and letters, enhancing both accuracy and efficiency for healthcare professionals. The platform securely leverages advanced AI to transcribe and generate notes, offering seamless integration into everyday practice.
The Power of Group Support: Marelle Wilson’s Insights on Chronic Pain
Our next insightful presentation was led by Marelle Wilson, Titled APA Pain Physiotherapist at Move for Better Health! Marelle shared findings from her two-year Master of Research project exploring how groups can support people with chronic pain. Her research involved nearly 2,000 participants worldwide and focused on the value of the group experience itself—highlighting the impact of being with others, rather than just the program content or facilitator. Marelle’s study covered a wide range of groups, from traditional pain management programs to more creative settings like group singing, yoga, and ceramics.
A key takeaway was that being part of a group with others facing similar challenges provided reassurance and hope, helping people rethink their identities in a positive way. For those dealing with chronic pain, feelings of loneliness and embarrassment can be significant barriers, but Marelle’s research revealed that the right kind of group support can alleviate these issues, potentially making it easier for individuals to adopt new pain management strategies.
Collaboration in Action: A Team Approach to Hypermobility
At the conclusion of our conference, a group of Allied Health practitioners from Move for Better Health, including Physio Emil, Psychologist Neralie and Podiatrist Andrea, presented a case study on a client with hypermobility. With the client’s consent, they discussed how they collaborated as a multidisciplinary team, drawing on their expertise in physiotherapy, psychology, and podiatry respectively. The team shared insights into how they prioritised key areas of concern, addressed contributing factors, explored various treatment options, and integrated the client’s preferences into the care plan. This case study highlighted the importance of cohesive teamwork in providing effective, patient-centred care.
The 2024 Move for Better Health Conference left us inspired, energised, and more connected as a team. Over the two days, we explored a wide range of topics that challenged our thinking, introduced new ideas, and reinforced the power of working together. From innovative AI solutions to the impact of group support in healthcare, we gained valuable insights that will shape our approach to client care. The strength of our clinic lies not only in our individual expertise but in our ability to collaborate across disciplines. This conference reminded us that by sharing knowledge and learning from each other, we can create even better outcomes for our clients.
