Welcome to my home page. I am Course Coordinator for REHB 4057 & REHB 6017 (Physiotherapy with Children and Families) and Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Short Course (Post-Graduate) , and lecturer/ instructor in various physiotherapy subjects including Physiotherapy Studies 200, Neurosciences in Physiotherapy and Physiotherapy Studies 201.
I am a very experienced clinical educator and supervisor in community settings. I have worked for 15 years as a physiotherapist with children. I have wide ranging clinical and research interests in paediatric disorders, in particular neurological and developmental disorders. My passion is teaching, and helping students become the best version of their professional selves... Read more
About me
Welcome to my home page. I am Course Coordinator for REHB 4057 & REHB 6017 (Physiotherapy with Children and Families) and Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Short Course (Post-Graduate) , and lecturer/ instructor in various physiotherapy subjects including Physiotherapy Studies 200, Neurosciences in Physiotherapy and Physiotherapy Studies 201.
I am a very experienced clinical educator and supervisor in community settings. I have worked for 15 years as a physiotherapist with children. I have wide ranging clinical and research interests in paediatric disorders, in particular neurological and developmental disorders. My passion is teaching, and helping students become the best version of their professional selves that they can be. I also love supporting research students.
My PhD was in the field of emergency department physiotherapy. I work in research teams in paediatric rehabilitation and related fields, most recently exploring robotic rehabilitation. I am an experienced research supervisor (Honours, Masters and PhD).
About me
Australian Physiotherapy Association (Paediatrics Special Interest Group)
About me
Doctor of Philosopy James Cook University
University of South Australia
James Cook University
Queensland Health
Private Practice
Areas of research interest:
Paediatric physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Emergency Department Physiotherapy
Health services and systems research
Research
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
Channel 7 Research Grant (2020 - ):
"Can robotic technology assist children with cerebral palsy after botulinum toxin injection?" with Angela Tully, Ray Russo, Susan Hillier
Womens and Children's Hospital Foundation research grant (2017-2019):
"What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy? A randomised controlled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury". with Christopher Innes-Wong, Ray Russo, Susan Hillier
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
6
5
2
|
| 2022 |
Open access
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
|
| 2020 |
Open access
1
|
| 2017 |
Open access
82
74
10
|
| 2016 |
4
2
3
|
| 2016 |
Open access
10
12
|
| 2015 |
Open access
4
|
| 2015 |
Open access
28
27
1
|
| 2014 |
Open access
9
7
1
|
| 2014 |
4
5
1
|
| 2013 |
Open access
20
19
|
| 2010 |
22
23
|
| 2010 |
125
|
| 2010 |
21
|
| 2010 |
|
Book chapter: Integrating technology into clinical practice in neurological rehabilitation. In Umphred’s Neurological Rehabilitation (7th Ed.) Ed. Lazaro, R. Elsevier: released 2019.
Editorial: Lefmann, SA and Crane, JL (2016). Establishing the diverse value of the emergency department physiotherapist. Journal of Physiotherapy, 62 (1).
Co-lead investigator: "Perspectives on children's physiotherapy services and Disability Care Australia", Practical Design Fund, Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. (2013).
**For journal articles written prior to 2008 (nee Anaf) - please refer to my ORCID link for access**
Research
Areas of research interest:
Paediatric physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Emergency Department Physiotherapy
Health services and systems research
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| James Cook University | AUSTRALIA |
| Northern Adelaide Local Health Network | AUSTRALIA |
| Townsville Hospital and Health Service | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Women's and Children's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2023 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2022 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2021 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2020 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2019 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2018 |
Associate EditorBMC Public Health |
2017 |
Committee member, National Paediatric GroupAustralian Physiotherapy Association (APA) |
2017 |
Member paediatric SA/NT and Educator committeesAustralian Physiotherapy Association |
2017 |
Associate EditorBMC Public Health |
2016 |
Hospital Foundation GrantWomen's and Children's Hospital |
2016 |
* UniSA Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (Physiotherapy with Children - Ward, Tsiros, Lefmann)*
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| 111124 - GoPro360° technology's potential in physiotherapy student learning outcomes in pre-placement years | Current |
| What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy? A randomised controlled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury. | Completed |
