Inspiring Minds seeks to broaden awareness and impact of graduate student research, while enhancing transferable skills. Students were challenged to describe their research, scholarship or creative activity in 150 or fewer words to share with our community.
Canadian Healthcare Reform is on the Horizon and Advanced Practice Physiotherapy is Rising
Have you ever had an episode of lower back or knee pain that has landed you in various healthcare practitioner’s offices with no clear direction for recovery? If so, you are not alone – 2.5 billion people worldwide are living with conditions that would benefit from rehabilitation and 1.7 billion of them are affected by musculoskeletal (i.e. muscle and joint) pain. Early intervention provided at first contact can meaningfully reduce the prevalence of chronic conditions. Advanced Practice physiotherapy offers an innovative solution to this problem - improving access to high quality care and patient outcomes. I am a physiotherapist; I have witnessed firsthand the struggle of our current medical system to optimally manage musculoskeletal pain. A critical step in implementing change in Canada is standardizing the educational pathway to Advanced Practice for the physiotherapist, as such my research intends to address this gap, ultimately aiming to create opportunity for widespread implementation.
Kaitlyn Maddigan
PhD candidate, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences - Western University
Supervisors
Alison Rushton
Katie Kowalski
Andrews Tawiah
Kaitlyn Maddigan is a dedicated and accomplished physical therapist currently working at Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) with honours specialization in Kinesiology, a Master of Physical Therapy, and a Master of Clinical Science in Advanced Health Care Practice. Kaitlyn has further distinguished herself in her field by obtaining the designation of a Registered International Sport Physical Therapist (RISPT) and becoming a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physical Therapists (FCAMPT). Kaitlyn is currently pursuing a PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western, focusing her research on investigating the educational pathway to Advanced Practice for Physical Therapists on an international scale. She also contributes to the academic community as an instructor at Western University, where she teaches in the Masters of Clinical Science program for Advanced Health Care Practice, specifically in the field of Sport and Exercise Medicine. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, Kaitlyn is a member of the integrated medical team for Hockey Canada's National Women's Team Programs. Her passion for physical fitness extends into her personal life, where she continues to play hockey competitively. As a wife and mother of two girls, Kaitlyn balances her professional and personal commitments with dedication and enthusiasm.
You can connect with Kaitlyn via email kmaddiga@uwo.ca.
View Kaitlyn's work as it appears in the Inspiring Minds Digital Collection: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/inspiringminds/666/.