The Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPhty) Program at Bond University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine has now received the status of full accreditation by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC). This achievement means that Bond University is the first university in Australia to successfully deliver an accredited entry level Doctor of Physiotherapy Program - a model that is now starting to emerge in other universities around Australia.
“This is an exciting time for the physiotherapy team and not even the thought of the required annual reports cannot dampen our excitement and pride in this achievement! “ said Dr Nancy Low Choy, Physiotherapy Program Coordinator at Bond University
Since her appointment in July 2008, Dr Nancy Low Choy has taken the program from its Provisional Approval status (required by the APC for a physiotherapy program to commence) through the 12 month stage of accreditation to the current status of an Accredited Program.
“I appreciate the trust shown by the inaugural and current students who enrolled in the Doctor of Physiotherapy and who have contributed to the stages of accreditation and success of the DPhty Program. I’ve had immense pleasure in advising the current physiotherapy students of the status now achieved and will communicate this to the graduates who are already working as registered physiotherapists.” said Dr Nancy Low Choy
The 2-year fast-tracked physiotherapy program combines extensive theoretical training and clinical experience features small group problem based learning and practical teaching sessions in Bond University’s state-of-the-art Physiotherapy Laboratory and Clinical Skills rooms. The Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine has also formed an educational alliance with McMaster University in Canada, which is internationally renowned for its focus on problem based learning.
Dr Low Choy also acknowledges the foresight and vision of the initial leader of the DPhty Program (Dr Elizabeth Gass), the ongoing support of Jenny Dimento – the physiotherapy administration officer – and the academic team that includes the PBL tutors, Assistant Professors Michael Pahoff – committed to this program since 2006 - Pam Teys, Kathy Doiron, Nikki Milne, Penny Thurnwald and Associate Professor Joanne Bullock-Saxton.
Student applications open in November 2011 with successful applicants starting in the May 2012 semester.