Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through Entry-Level Education

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice Volume 23 Number 4 Article 25 October 2025 Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through Entry-Level Education Kerstin McPherson Australian Catholic University, Christopher Myers James Cook University, Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp Part of the Medicine and Health Sciences Commons Recommended Citation McPherson K, Myers C. Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through EntryLevel Education. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Oct 15;23(4), Article 25. This Manuscript is brought to you for free and open access by the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice by an authorized editor of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact . Preparing Rural Physiotherapists : Addressing Climate Change Through EntryLevel Education Abstract Introduction: Climate change is set to profoundly impact community health and access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas of Australia, which already experience limited access to health services like physiotherapy. The implications of climate change on physiotherapy practice underlie the urgent need to prepare future health practitioners. Entry-level education plays a pivotal role in equipping physiotherapists with the knowledge and skills to address climate-related health challenges effectively. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, awareness, and educational needs of rural physiotherapists in Australia regarding climate change. Methods: A survey was designed and distributed via rural physiotherapist via social media using a purposeful sampling method. Data were collected between July and September 2023. Results: Thirty-one responses were received. While most participants recognized climate change was occurring, many did not perceive it as a crisis or an immediate concern. Some expressed scepticism about climate change evidence, often attributing their rural backgrounds as a source of greater climate-related knowledge than their metropolitan counterparts. Not all respondents believed physiotherapists should engage in public advocacy on climate change or integrate it into professional practice. Additionally, not all felt there was a relevance to patient care led many to oppose the inclusion of climate change topics in entry-level physiotherapy curricula. Conclusions: This study highlights a critical gap in the awareness and preparedness of rural physiotherapists to address climate-related health impacts. Integrating climate change education into entry-level physiotherapy programs is essential for fostering a comprehensive understanding of its health implications and the profession's role in promoting their communities need for adaptation and resilience. By embedding these topics into entry-level education, physiotherapists can better align their practices with evolving healthcare needs and contribute to sustainable solutions for their communities. Author Bio(s) Kerstin McPherson SFHEA, PhD, Masters Physiotherapy,GCert.Teaching and Learning, BAppSc Physiotherapy, is a Senior Lecturer in physiotherapy at Austrlaina Catholic University. Christopher Myers, B. Physiotherapy (Hons) is a Lecturer at James Cook University This manuscript is available in Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp/vol23/iss4/25 Dedicated to allied health professional practice and education Vol. 23 No. 4 ISSN 1540-580X Preparing Rural Physiotherapists: Addressing Climate Change Through Entry-Level Education Kerstin McPherson1 Christopher Myers2 1. 2. Australian Catholic University James Cook University Australia ABSTRACT Introduction: Climate change is set to profoundly impact community health and access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas of Australia, which already experience limited access to health services like physiotherapy. The implications of climate change on physiotherapy practice underlie the urgent need to prepare future health practitioners. Entry-level education plays a pivotal role in equipping physiotherapists with the knowledge and skills to address climate-related health challenges effectively. This study aimed to explore the perspectives, awareness, and educational needs of rural physiotherapists in Australia regarding climate change. Method: A survey was designed and distributed via rural physiotherapist via social media using a purposeful sampling method. Data were collected between July and September 2023. Results: Thirty-one responses were received. While most participants recognized climate change was occurring, many did not perceive it as a crisis or an immediate concern. Some expressed scepticism about climate change evidence, often attributing their rural backgrounds as a source of greater climate-related knowledge than their metropolitan counterparts. Not all respondents believed physiotherapists should engage in public advocacy on climate change or integrate it into professional practice. Additionally, not all felt there was a relevance to patient care led many to oppose the inclusion of climate change topics in entry-level physiotherapy curricula. Conclusions: This study highlights a critical gap in the awareness and preparedness of rural physiotherapists to address climate-related health impacts. Integrating climate change education into entry-level physiotherapy programs is essential for fostering a comprehensive understanding of its health implications and the profession's role in promoting their communities need for adaptation and resilience. By embedding these topics into entrylevel education, physiotherapists can better align their practices with evolving healthcare needs and contribute to sustainable solutions for their communities. Keywords: physiotherapy, rural health, climate change, sustainable healthcare ©The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 2025 PREPARING RURAL PHYSIOTHERAPISTS : ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION 1 INTRODUCTION Approximately 28% of Australians live in rural areas, where healthcare access is often restricted due to shortages of health professionals and fragmented services.1,2 Australian physiotherapists, as primary contact practitioners specializing in the assessment and treatment of movement and anatomical disorders,3 are critical in supporting the healthcare needs of these communities. The growing impacts of climate change including rising temperatures, extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and bushfires, and declining biodiversity, pose an unprecedented number of challenges globally.4 In rural areas, these challenges are compounded by limited resources, creating significant financial burden and exacerbating the challenges to vulnerable communities. Elevated temperatures may restrict ou (...truncated)