ENHANCING OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICE PROVISION WITH MILITARY VETERANS
With
Carol McKinstry,
Professor of Occupational Therapy &
Deputy Dean, Rural Health School,
La Trobe University,
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed Online | April 2025
Carol McKinstry is Professor of Occupational Therapy and Deputy Dean with La Trobe University’s Rural Health School at the Bendigo campus. She is currently Chair of Academic Board and member of University Council.
After completing her Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in Melbourne, she returned to Bendigo to work in local health services, where she developed a strong foundation in rehabilitation, assisting individuals recovering from strokes, accidents, trauma, chronic pain, and spinal cord injuries.
Prof McKinstry was instrumental in the development of the occupational therapy course at the La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus and also the establishment of the Rural Health School.
Prof McKinstry’s research focus is on health workforce, particularly developing a sustainable rural health workforce through recruitment of rural students for health courses, innovative and flexible delivery of health courses, telehealth and emerging areas of practice for occupational therapists.
She is particularly interested in addressing the needs of returning military service members, especially in rural areas where access to services is often limited. Motivated by her upbringing in a regional area, Prof McKinstry is passionate about ensuring equitable health services for those living in rural communities, aiming to tackle workforce shortages and improve health outcomes for these populations.
She is a current board director of Occupational Therapy Australia having been the past president between 2020-2024. She is on the Board of Bendigo Health and was on the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service Board for nine years, also serving as Board Chair and appointed as Life Governor.
Although not excelling in any particular sports, she has had a long involvement with a number of sports at a club and association/organisational board/committee level. She was the first female chair of the Bendigo Football Netball League in its 140 year history and is a life member of several local sporting organisations. Prof McKinstry looks to combine her health background and love of sport, particularly in the areas of participation in sport for all ages to improve health and wellbeing.
Source: Supplied and supplemented
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6383-6313
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Investigating invasive lobular carcinoma and metaplastic breast cancer sub-types
Assoc Prof McCart Reed is the scientific lead on an MRFF-funded (Medical Research Future Fund) genomics program investigating the potential for the application of Whole Genome Sequencing in the breast cancer care pathway in Australia, ‘Q-IMPROvE’. She applies genomics and spatial transcriptomics methodologies to archival clinical samples to understand the differences between tumour types and their potential for treatment. Amy is passionate about clinical research, biobanking and precision oncology. In addition to her breast cancer research portfolio, she is on the steering committee for the Brisbane Breast Bank and the Scientific Advisory Board for Breast Cancer Trials.
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Blister management and impact on firefighters
David Burns, a Senior Paramedic with LifeAid, a private paramedicine company in Victoria and, has a diverse background in healthcare. He began his career as a registered nurse, progressing to critical care nursing specialising in liver transplants and cardiovascular surgery.
At the Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference, David presented research focused on the foot care of firefighters during prolonged bushfire campaigns. During the 2019-2020 bushfires, over 10,000 firefighters sought care, with nearly 50% requiring attention for foot-related issues. David emphasised that inadequate foot care could bench firefighters for up to 10 days, diminishing their ability to protect communities and critical infrastructure. Recognising the economic benefits of prioritising firefighter health, David advocates that ensuring their well-being allows communities to recover effectively and enhances safety for all involved in firefighting efforts.
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Links investigated between poor sleep and onset of dementia
Watch Samantha Bramich, a PHD candidate at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania talk on identify the prevalence of rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) in Tasmania and how poor sleep contributes to the onset of dementia and other diseases.
