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Speaker topics

Below are just some of the topics to be presented at the conference. Keynote addresses, workshops and panel discussions will be listed soon.

Speaker topics

  • The central aim of health regulation is to protect patients; the challenge is to do that while making our regulatory processes as humane as possible. Since 2017, Ahpra has been systematically gathering feedback from health practitioners (and notifiers) about their experience of being involved in an investigative or disciplinary process. 

    Over the past three years, we have had a particular focus on a small subset of practitioners who find regulatory scrutiny extremely distressing. Ahpra has also known of some practitioners who have attempted or taken their life while involved with our regulatory processes, particularly in relation to health impairments. 

    Hear Susan talk about the key findings and recommendations behind practitioner distress during a regulatory process and the actions Ahpra is now taking so that we can take action to decrease the risks, while maintaining a clear focus on patient safety.

  • International concern is growing about those at risk of multiple concussions and repetitive neurotrauma in sports. This lecture will provide the latest research on the signs and symptoms, the underlying physiology and neuropathology, and the first-hand lived experience of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and to inform osteopathy practitioners working with patients exposed to repetitive neurotrauma. Speakers: Keynote speaker Associate Professor Michael Buckland is joined by Adjunct Professor Alan Pearce and Andrea Miles.

  • Professional regulation operates in an increasingly volatile world. The external environment in which we all work, the big systemic issues we face as a society and how these impacts on the work of regulation is being talked about in a way that it wasn’t even a decade ago. Longstanding models of professional regulation are being challenged from many directions, partly because these systems in which we work are increasingly complex and dynamic. Consumers are better informed, more digitally engaged and more likely to raise concerns.

    How should regulators respond? This presentation will consider the need for more data informed, intelligence-led and risk-based regulatory systems. Regulators need to be able to respond to health care disruptors. And regulators need to think in new ways about the public interest we are here to serve. A contemporary approach suggests that regulators also need to engage with big systemic issues too, such as racism, misinformation and environmental sustainability.

     

  • Hear from Associate Professor Gary Fryer on how the Australian Osteopathic identity has evolved greatly over the last century, but many are unaware of the profession’s history and role in shaping the present. There is widespread angst about the tension between traditional and modern models of practice, scope of practice, and where the profession is heading in the future.

  • As we celebrate 150 years since Dr A T Still pioneered osteopathic medicine, join Jason Haxton, MA, DO (h.c.), as he brings to life the essence of Dr Still’s revolutionary approach. Through captivating stories and real-life examples, Jason will unravel the intricacies of Dr Still's work - exploring his understanding of the body, mind and spirit. Look into the history of Dr Still, not just as a healer but as a visionary teacher adopting the Socratic approach, and discover how his keen observations led to the realisation that the human spirit is indeed immortal.

     

  • Stress is a situation we all go through in our life. It’s common for practitioners to feel overworked and stressed from time to time. It’s when our ability to function in a productive way, one that threatens our ability to care for ourselves and others when the concept of burnout enters the conversation. Hear Doctor Robert Piccinini focus on the dimensions of burnout and some practical problem solving techniques to correct or prevent burnout from happening.

  • This presentation will explore the magnitude of the problem of systemic inflammation, its related disease processes and how the osteopathic approach is uniquely positioned to address this condition. Systemic inflammation is the most significant cause of death worldwide (Furman et al., 2019). This talk will encompass the stages of acute inflammation, the beneficial effects of acute inflammation in the healing process, and early triggers of systemic inflammation. Inflammation within the cardiovascular, renal, musculoskeletal, neurologic and psychiatric systems will be discussed. The next part of the presentation will focus on the role of exercise in mitigating these effects with respect to dopamine release, cognitive improvement in patients with depression, elevated BDNF and decreased oxidative stress (Hird et al., 2024).

  • Understanding and improving sleep quality is essential for effective management of musculoskeletal health. By addressing sleep-related issues, individuals can better manage pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance their overall quality of life. This presentation aims to equip attendees with actionable knowledge and strategies to leverage the power of sleep for improved musculoskeletal health with the integration of the DrRest sleep system.

  • In her work, Danielle explores the current role of osteopaths in aged care settings.  Her work emphasises the growing need for allied health professionals, such as osteopaths, to be better integrated into RACFs, to manage chronic diseases–particularly musculoskeletal chronic conditions–to support the overall health and reablement of older adults. As a result, this project is significant as it provides a novel view of the role and scope of Australian osteopaths in RACFs, as we begin to explore the ways in which osteopaths contribute to preventive healthcare for older adults in this setting. This project is a call-to-action for our profession to urgently strategise the positioning of osteopaths within the aged care landscape.

  • Anatomy plays a major role in osteopathic practice and forms a vital component of osteopathic education; however, little is known of anatomy education within osteopathic training. Dr Raymond Blaich (Osteopath) reveals the findings of a study conducted across osteopathic educational institutions in Australia and New Zealand which gathered information on anatomy within osteopathic education including class time dedicated to anatomy, anatomy teaching resources, anatomy teaching facilities, anatomy staffing qualifications, and staff to student ratios. 

  • It would be easy to think that the key reason patients complain is due to poor clinical outcomes.  However, Guild Insurance regularly manages claims where complaints are being lodged about the professional conduct and behaviour of osteopaths.  In some of these cases, there’s been no adverse clinical outcome, yet the osteopath’s actions have still been investigated.  This session will use claims data and the updated Code of conduct to discuss the sorts of behaviours which leads to complaints and what can be done differently to avoid these.

  • Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in long COVID. Hear the insight given by Ana Christina Certain Curi D.Sc on the study she conjointly undertook which compared the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (TMO) associated with physiotherapy treatment (PT) compared to FT alone on fatigue and functional limitations two months post-randomization in adults with long COVID.

  • The Osteopathy Australia Research update will provide the opportunity for audience members to learn more about the organisation's research strategy, how our work plays an active role in developing research culture, leadership, and engagement through ventures such as grants and mentorships, and how our work enables us to promote and advocate for the profession while supporting osteopaths to adopt the latest evidence in clinical care and treatment.

  • Inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB) include mastitis, a common condition affecting 25% of lactating mothers. Pain associated with ICLB is a key reason for early cessation of breastfeeding. Hear Dr Roger Engel (Osteopath) talk about the consensus on treatment for ICLB including the role osteopathy could play in managing the condition.

  • The population of Australia is rapidly ageing, with an accompanying increase in the resources required to provide them with high-quality care. As the number of older adults begins to overwhelm general practice, and public health supports, there is likely to be increasing demand for additional primary allied health to ensure adequate standards. This presents an opportunity for ongoing growth for osteopaths, with potential for expansion of scope of practice, in this domain.

  • The literature is relatively scarce on designing and reporting on case series studies for techniques/interventions or interventions that may be considered outside the medical model. Dr Michael Fleischmann (Osteopath) proposes a set of thirteen design attributes and an adapted checklist for consideration by clinicians when considering a case series design focused on a non-surgical intervention.

  • Hear Dr Rudi Gerhardt (Osteopath) explain why our understanding of concussion is rapidly advancing, and more and more healthcare professionals are stepping up to address the needs of this patient population. This presentation aims to provide delegates with an understanding of the intricacies involved in diagnosing, assessing, and treating patients with post-concussion symptoms.

  • Join Joel Friedlaender, founder of Cliniko, to learn why data and digital security are crucial for regulatory best practice, compliance, and privacy in the health sector. Discover how AI can be your ally, not something to fear.

  • Because of limited evidence supporting osteopathic practice, osteopaths often manage the tension between observed clinical effectiveness and evidence-informed practice. Hear Professor Sandra Grace talk about her interview with nine UK and Australian osteopaths about their experiences participating in the CUTIES trial, a multi-site, international randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of osteopathic intervention for infantile colic. We found that participating osteopaths questioned fundamental elements of their practice integrity. They also reflected on reasons for trial outcomes, which could involve re-orienting practices to optimise patient care and experience.  

     

  • While the World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for the first six months after birth, many mothers stop breastfeeding in the first month reporting difficulty sucking as the primary reason. As feeding involves infant musculoskeletal tissue, Dr Kirsty Greenwood (Osteopath) talks about why musculoskeletal dysfunction may be a key reason why effective breastfeeding is not established.

  • Join us to hear from one of Australia’s leading experts on breast cancer soft tissue trauma, Dr Amanda Hannaford (Osteopath). Discover the challenges that the industry faces in patient recovery from surgery, radiation therapy and reconstruction, and why osteopathy is ideally suited to address side effects like scarring, cording, seroma, adhesions, and fibrous tissue changes.

  • Join Dr Elizabeth Howard (Osteopath) and Dr Amy Corcoran (Osteopath), experienced osteopaths in pain management, for their complex pelvic pain workshop, using a real complex pelvic pain case seen by the interdisciplinary team at the Women's Health & Research Institute of Australia in Sydney.

    Workshop details

  • Join Dr Don Hunter (Osteopath) as he explores the connection between shoulder function and thoracic posture. Discover how the osteopathic muscle energy technique (MET) to the thoracic spine can improve pain and disability in SIS patients compared to placebo.

  • Join Dr Sam Kayll (Osteopath) for an insightful presentation on how footwear and insoles can be low-burden treatments to alleviate patellofemoral pain. Discover the findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis on their impact on joint loads in adults with and without patellofemoral pain and osteoarthritis.

  • Hear Assistant professor Hyungsuk Kim present his findings on effects of wet cupping on erector spinae near thoracolumbar junction for non-acute low back pain

  • Falls are a critical issue in the care of older adults. Falls commonly lead to a rapid decline in an older person's health, and once the first (or primary) fall has occurred, the next becomes increasingly difficult to prevent.  As part of her doctoral research, Amy is investigating the role of osteopaths as primary healthcare providers in primary falls prevention among older people still living in the community. In this presentation, she will present the means by which osteopaths have opportunities to contribute to an older person's ability to continue to live independently, by identifying risk of falling, and intervening before a fall has occurred.

  • Active primitive reflexes have been found in the literature to be associated with a variety of paediatric developmental disorders, including ADHD, Autism, motor and learning deficits. Hear Dr Kylie McWhirter (Osteopath) talk about the study which explores the feasibility of primitive reflex assessment (PRA) as a useful and reli able clinical tool for assessing paediatric populations.

  • The Osteopathy Australia policy update will provide audience members with an opportunity to gain a sound understanding of the intricacies of the policy and advocacy work we undertake on behalf of the profession. The session will provide a high-level overview of our key priorities for the financial year, and a deep dive into two key strategic policy areas. The session will be wrapped up with ample time for Q&A. 

  • Most CPD curricula in healthcare across the world are content-based. However, recent evidence coming from several medical institutions advocate for a competency-based framework in CPD as the most effective means of fostering competence in health professionals. Italian physiotherapist and osteopath, Antonio Pilotto, has used his MSc in Medical Education to reveal the barriers and enablers that will impact this shift in the pursuit of CPD.

  • Delivering care to compensable patients adds layers of complexity to basic clinical care. Patients tend to be more distressed than those without a compensation claim and the administrative burden can be prohibitive. Dr Alison Sim (Osteopath) talks about the evidence behind why clinicians refusing to treat compensable patients is an emerging problem.

  • Join Dr Andrew Timos (Osteopath) to explore the latest concepts on knee valgus during dynamic movements and its relationship to PFPS. Learn about predisposing factors, biomechanical compensations, and rehabilitation techniques to improve lower limb positioning and reduce symptoms.

  • Join Dr Brett Wiener (Osteopath) to explore how allied health professionals can harness its therapeutic potential. Gain actionable insights and best practices to integrate medicinal cannabis into osteopathic practice confidently. Learn to bridge the gap between regulations and clinical applications, navigate access barriers, address patient equiries, and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

    Workshop details

    • Dr Paul Orrock, Chair Osteopathy Board of Australia
    • Dr Kerrin Murnane, President Osteopathy Council of NSW
    • third panellist TBA
    • Associate Professor Gary Fryer (panel moderator)
    • Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, DO
    • Philippe Sterlingot, DO, Chair-Elect OIA
    • Jan Willcox, DO
    • Tomas Collin, DO (panel moderator) 
    • other panellists TBA