Our story
Physiotherapy Education Australia (PEA) was founded in 2019 by Shane Pritchard and Felicity Blackstock in response to a growing need for simulation-based physiotherapy education opportunities in Australia.
Shane and Felicity have extensive experience in simulation based education and assessment, having previously worked in Australian university programs, and more recently, with the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) establishing simulation-based assessments for overseas trained physiotherapists seeking registration to practice in Australia.
Whilst working with the APC, Shane and Felicity became aware of the lack of educational opportunities that existed in Australia for overseas-registered physiotherapists. Therefore, after finishing their roles with the APC, Shane and Felicity collaborated to establish Physiotherapy Education Australia (PEA), a company that would allow them to design and facilitate high quality simulation education opportunities for overseas registered physiotherapists.
Shane, Felicity, and their colleagues are passionate about supporting physiotherapists to become safe, effective practitioners working within the Australian healthcare system. The entire team at PEA look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and supporting you as you strive to reach your physiotherapy career goals.
Shane and Felicity have extensive experience in simulation based education and assessment, having previously worked in Australian university programs, and more recently, with the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) establishing simulation-based assessments for overseas trained physiotherapists seeking registration to practice in Australia.
Whilst working with the APC, Shane and Felicity became aware of the lack of educational opportunities that existed in Australia for overseas-registered physiotherapists. Therefore, after finishing their roles with the APC, Shane and Felicity collaborated to establish Physiotherapy Education Australia (PEA), a company that would allow them to design and facilitate high quality simulation education opportunities for overseas registered physiotherapists.
Shane, Felicity, and their colleagues are passionate about supporting physiotherapists to become safe, effective practitioners working within the Australian healthcare system. The entire team at PEA look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and supporting you as you strive to reach your physiotherapy career goals.
Who we are
Shane Pritchard
Director Shane Pritchard is a physiotherapist, educator, and researcher, and a Director of Physiotherapy Education Australia. Shane has clinical expertise in musculoskeletal (injury rehabilitation, post-operative), persistent pain, cardiorespiratory (general medical & ICU), functional decline/falls, and neurological domains of physiotherapy. Shane has worked in both metropolitan and rural/remote areas of Victoria and the Northern Territory since graduating from Monash University. Shane is nearing completion of a PhD investigating simulation education in physiotherapy. Shane has facilitated simulation education sessions for physiotherapists and other health professionals since 2013, and is passionate about evidence-based and theory-informed clinical practice and research. |
Professor Felicity Blackstock
Director Felicity Blackstock is a physiotherapist, educator, researcher and expert in educational design across healthcare practice. She is a Director of Physiotherapy Education Australia, and adjunct Professor of Physiotherapy at Western Sydney University. Felicity has designed physiotherapy educational experiences since 2003 and has dedicated the last 12 years of her career to exploring simulation based education for physiotherapy, including the first randomised controlled trial evaluating the impact of simulation based education on attainment of competency to practice physiotherapy in Australia. This research was translated into educational practice across Australia, for which she was recognised with an Australian Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching in 2015. More recently Felicity has been evaluating the validity of simulation based education for assessment of internationally trained physiotherapists applying for AHPRA registration in Australia, the impact of anxiety in simulation based education on learning skills, and the potential role of peers as patients in simulation. |
