I have worked for a number of years as a physiotherapist with children. I have wide ranging clinical and research interests in paediatric disorders, in particular neurological disorders, and have completed advanced training in Prechtl's Method of Qualitative Assessment of General Movements.
I am a very experienced clinical supervisor and educator for physiotherapy students in community-based settings. Recently, I have been leading supervision in interprofessional education environments.
My PhD was in the field of emergency department physiotherapy. I also conduct research in paediatric rehabilitation and related fields, most recently supervising research students exploring robotic rehabilitation. I am more... Read more
About me
I have worked for a number of years as a physiotherapist with children. I have wide ranging clinical and research interests in paediatric disorders, in particular neurological disorders, and have completed advanced training in Prechtl's Method of Qualitative Assessment of General Movements.
I am a very experienced clinical supervisor and educator for physiotherapy students in community-based settings. Recently, I have been leading supervision in interprofessional education environments.
My PhD was in the field of emergency department physiotherapy. I also conduct research in paediatric rehabilitation and related fields, most recently supervising research students exploring robotic rehabilitation. I am more than happy to field research enquiries from interested students and/ or other supervisors.
Please note my work days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
About me
BMC Health Services Research (Associate Editor)
Australian Physiotherapy Association (Paediatrics Special Interest Group)
About me
Doctor of Philosopy James Cook University
University of South Australia
James Cook University
Child Development Service (Townsville) - 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.
Womens and Children's Hospital Foundation research grant:
"What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy? A randomised controlled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury". Sophie Lefmann, Ray Russo, Susan Hillier (research to be conducted 2017-2018)
I have a ongoing research interest in:
Prechtl's Method of General Movement Assessment
Application of robotic technologies in paediatric rehabilitation
Research
Research since 2008 is shown below. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2020 |
Open access
|
| 2020 |
Open access
|
| 2017 |
Open access
21
16
7
|
| 2016 |
3
1
|
| 2016 |
Open access
2
|
| 2015 |
Open access
2
|
| 2015 |
Open access
11
9
1
|
| 2014 |
Open access
2
1
1
|
| 2014 |
4
5
1
|
| 2013 |
Open access
12
9
1
|
| 2010 |
17
17
|
| 2010 |
91
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2010 |
17
|
Associate Editor - BMC Health Services Research
Lefmann, SA and Crane, JL (2016). Establishing the diverse value of the emergency department physiotherapist. Editorial, 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 |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| Women's and Children's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Associate EditorBMC Public Health |
2017 |
Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student LearningUniversity of South Australia |
2017 |
Committee member, National Paediatric GroupAustralian 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)*
Paediatrics advisor in Masters of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy
Supervisor for degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Honours degrees in Physiotherapy
Specialising in clinical education in paediatrics (developmental disorders and paediatric rehabilitation)
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| What are the benefits of robotic-assisted rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy: a randomised controllled clinical trial in children with acquired brain injury. | Current |
