From elite sports biomechanics to paramedicine research; strategically building your knowledge and skills - with Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Bowles

This week I spoke with Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Bowles from the Department of Paramedicine at Monash University. Kelly is a biomechanist and a paramedicine researcher as well as the acting head of the Department of Paramedicine and the Director of Research for our School of Primary and Allied Health Care. We spoke about the foundations of her career and her thoughts on the direction of the physiotherapy profession. Kelly has a very interesting and diverse professional background and has mentored many students and colleagues (myself included) in their careers. There is plenty in this episode for students, grads and experienced clinicians to unpack. Enjoy, and thanks Kelly for a great conversation. In this episode: 0:00 About this episode 3:00 Welcome Kelly to Physio Foundations 4:20 The foundations of Kelly’s career 6:15 The unpredictability of working in elite sports biomechanics, working around athletes and coaches, working long hours and loving it 8:30 How did you develop your research career? Sports bras for breast support – finding important research questions with real impact for people 10:43 The importance of getting fitted for a bra and how this can improve physical activity and participation in sports 12:59 How did you get into paramedics research? Completing a PhD over ten years, saying yes to lots of things, sending your CV to everyone in the country 15:15 Strategically building your knowledge and skills 16:20 Balancing new opportunities and the need to stick things  - skills more than titles 18:55 What are the attributes that make a really good clinician? Research skills and collaboration with other professionals 21:30 How do you develop professionalism in paramedics and what can other professions learn from this? 24:21 Ben Meadley’s fascinating PhD on the health of paramedics 26:40 It’s easy to always put your patient’s health first - the importance of professionals looking after their own health 31:00 Message for the next generation of clinicians – you get to dictate the direction of the profession through your own stance and behaviour. 31:35 How to connect with Physio Foundations and share the podcast This is a discussion aimed at health professionals and health professional students. Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Kelly’s academic profile: https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/kelly-bowles Find Kelly on social media: https://twitter.com/k_bowles Join the conversation in the YouTube comments or via social media @PerratonPhysio For a list of episodes, transcripts and associated blogs, visit perraton.physio/physiofoundations  Follow @PerratonPhysio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linked In. Do you have a topic you would like me to cover on the podcast? Email me: [email protected], or DM me on Twitter @lukeperraton Always seek the guidance of a qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.