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Dr Roma Forbes
Dr

Roma Forbes

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52718

Overview

Background

Roma Forbes is the Program Director of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) program at The University of Queensland. She is a highly experienced APA titled musculoskeletal physiotherapist and Senior Teaching-Focused Lecturer. Roma is a Director of the Australian Physiotherapy Council and the national Chair of the Accreditation Committee, and represents Australia on the World Physiotherapy Education Committee. She serves on a number of editorial boards and is an Associate Editor for The Clinical Teacher.

Ensuring health professional students are prepared for a challenging and changing workforce is a global priority. Roma leads programs of research that explore the use of work integrated learning and the readiness of health professional graduates across emerging and challenging aspects of clinical practice and workplace settings. Her work spans local, national, and international efforts, where she leads work-integrated learning and health professional education advocacy and policy.

Roma's current research focuses on teaching and learning in the health professions, with a specific focus on graduate preparedness for clinical practice and outcomes of clinical education. This research uses several approaches to explore graduate, educator, and employer perspectives with a focus on knowledge translation to improve clinical education capacity and outcomes. She has a strong track record of national and international collaborations in patient education training, clinical education capacity, and physiotherapy teaching and learning. Roma is passionate about health professional education research and enhancing graduate readiness for practice and fostering a stronger, more supported community of health professional educators and researchers at UQ and abroad.

Awards and Fellowships

  • Advance Higher Education Global Impact Award (2023)
  • The University of Queensland Award for Teaching Excellence (2023)
  • Association for the Study of Medical Education - Medical Education Developing Scholarship Award (2023)
  • Higher Education Academy Senior Fellow (2023)
  • Health and Behavioural Sciences Faculty Award for Programs that Enhance Learning (2023)
  • Australian Award for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2021)
  • Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA) Fellow (2021)
  • The University of Queensland Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2020)
  • Flinders University - ANZAHPE Award for Excellence in Health Professional Education (2020)
  • Higher Eduction Academy Fellow (2019)
  • Health and Behavioural Sciences Faculty Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2019)
  • School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2018)
  • Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Associate Fellow (2018)

Availability

Dr Roma Forbes is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor, Auckland University of Technology
  • Postgraduate Diploma, Auckland University of Technology
  • Masters (Coursework), Auckland University of Technology
  • Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Certificate of Languages, Te Wananga o Aotearoa

Research impacts

Dr. Forbes leads and collaborates with teams from various institutions and industry sectors to explore and integrate innovative patient education training and frameworks into health professional programs, both within Australia and internationally. By developing educator-focused frameworks and comprehensive training guidelines, Dr. Forbes ensures that these models are effectively embedded into both clinical and classroom settings across multiple health professions. Additionally, Dr. Forbes leads significant research initiatives focused on identifying the barriers and facilitators to private practice participation in Work Integrated Learning and enhancing the quality of private practice placements.

Works

Search Professor Roma Forbes’s works on UQ eSpace

133 works between 2015 and 2025

1 - 20 of 133 works

2025

Journal Article

Comparative Self-Evaluation of Patient Education Practice: A Study of Novice and Experienced Physiotherapists

Grbavac, Vedrana, Naletilić, Mladenka, Šimić, Josip and Forbes, Roma (2025). Comparative Self-Evaluation of Patient Education Practice: A Study of Novice and Experienced Physiotherapists. Healthcare, 13 (3) 260, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13030260

Comparative Self-Evaluation of Patient Education Practice: A Study of Novice and Experienced Physiotherapists

2025

Journal Article

Culturally safe physiotherapy care: how this looks and feels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Nelson, Curtley, Forbes, Roma and Mandrusiak, Allison (2025). Culturally safe physiotherapy care: how this looks and feels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 31 (1), 1. doi: 10.1071/py24137

Culturally safe physiotherapy care: how this looks and feels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

2024

Journal Article

Early work-integrated learning experiences shaping Australia’s future health workforce

Forbes, Roma, Reinke, Nicole, Paquet-Fifield, Sophie, Masters, Nicole and Kusljic, Snezana (2024). Early work-integrated learning experiences shaping Australia’s future health workforce. Focus on Health Professional Education, 25 (4), 47-48. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v25i4.819

Early work-integrated learning experiences shaping Australia’s future health workforce

2024

Journal Article

Telehealth services supporting allied health work-integrated learning: a pilot study

Martin, Romany, Su, Yi-Jen, Neish, Calum, Mandrusiak, Allison, Penman, Adriana, Patterson, Freyr, Booth, Jodie, Hunter, Lucy, Donovan, Michael, Mahendran, Niru, Dunwoodie, Ruth and Forbes, Roma (2024). Telehealth services supporting allied health work-integrated learning: a pilot study. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 24 (4), 649-662.

Telehealth services supporting allied health work-integrated learning: a pilot study

2024

Journal Article

Understanding the beliefs, motivations and perceived barriers of physiotherapists toward career development and related post-graduate training opportunities: a qualitative study

Dinsdale, Alana, Wilesmith, Sarah, McKeon, Ashleigh, Chan, Chung Ming, Lau Shi Ang, Sean, Lu, Andric and Forbes, Roma (2024). Understanding the beliefs, motivations and perceived barriers of physiotherapists toward career development and related post-graduate training opportunities: a qualitative study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2024.2433612

Understanding the beliefs, motivations and perceived barriers of physiotherapists toward career development and related post-graduate training opportunities: a qualitative study

2024

Journal Article

Understanding simulation-based learning for health professions students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a scoping review

Zhang, Luocheng, Patterson, Freyr, Penman, Adriana and Forbes, Roma (2024). Understanding simulation-based learning for health professions students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a scoping review. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 1-23. doi: 10.1007/s10459-024-10384-6

Understanding simulation-based learning for health professions students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: a scoping review

2024

Journal Article

Prescribing exercise therapy for the management of musculoskeletal pain: new-graduate physiotherapists' perceptions and perceived training needs

Leung, Letizia, Mandrusiak, Allison, Martin, Romany, Ma, Tsz Wun and Forbes, Roma (2024). Prescribing exercise therapy for the management of musculoskeletal pain: new-graduate physiotherapists' perceptions and perceived training needs. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40 (10), 2321-2330. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2242461

Prescribing exercise therapy for the management of musculoskeletal pain: new-graduate physiotherapists' perceptions and perceived training needs

2024

Journal Article

How do clinical placements influence the career decisions of new-graduate physiotherapists in Australia? A qualitative exploration

Singh, Lakhvir, Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Phua, Rachel, Al-Hashemy, Hussan and Forbes, Roma (2024). How do clinical placements influence the career decisions of new-graduate physiotherapists in Australia? A qualitative exploration. Health Science Reports, 7 (10) e70132, 1-9. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.70132

How do clinical placements influence the career decisions of new-graduate physiotherapists in Australia? A qualitative exploration

2024

Journal Article

Factors associated with patient-reported mouth opening activity limitations in individuals with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study exploring physical and self-reported outcomes

Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2024). Factors associated with patient-reported mouth opening activity limitations in individuals with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study exploring physical and self-reported outcomes. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 73 103166, 103166-73. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103166

Factors associated with patient-reported mouth opening activity limitations in individuals with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study exploring physical and self-reported outcomes

2024

Journal Article

Impact of a clinical placement on pre-professional health students perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence in the delivery of behaviour change and physical activity support

Lehman, Emily, Healy, Genevieve N., Forbes, Roma, Laroiya, Menakshi and Gomersall, Sjaan R. (2024). Impact of a clinical placement on pre-professional health students perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence in the delivery of behaviour change and physical activity support. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 13 (1), 134-169. doi: 10.53300/001c.123458

Impact of a clinical placement on pre-professional health students perceived knowledge, skills, and confidence in the delivery of behaviour change and physical activity support

2024

Conference Publication

Management experiences and expectations of individuals seeking care for intra-articular TMDs

Dinsdale, Alana, Forbes, Roma, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2024). Management experiences and expectations of individuals seeking care for intra-articular TMDs. Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13-14 September 2024.

Management experiences and expectations of individuals seeking care for intra-articular TMDs

2024

Conference Publication

More than just opening: myriad of local musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders

Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2024). More than just opening: myriad of local musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders. Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13-14 September 2024.

More than just opening: myriad of local musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders

2024

Conference Publication

Are Portuguese novice physiotherapists prepared for patient education practice in musculoskeletal settings? A qualitative study

Santos, Diogo, Forbes, Roma and Caiero, Carmen (2024). Are Portuguese novice physiotherapists prepared for patient education practice in musculoskeletal settings? A qualitative study. IFOMPT, Basel, Switzerland, 4-6 July 2024.

Are Portuguese novice physiotherapists prepared for patient education practice in musculoskeletal settings? A qualitative study

2024

Journal Article

New-Graduate Physiotherapists’ Reflections on Training Experiences for Clinical Documentation

Wilesmith, Sarah, Forbes, Roma, Martin, Romany and Mandrusiak, Allison (2024). New-Graduate Physiotherapists’ Reflections on Training Experiences for Clinical Documentation. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 13 (1), 35-54. doi: 10.53300/001c.93941

New-Graduate Physiotherapists’ Reflections on Training Experiences for Clinical Documentation

2024

Journal Article

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of engagement with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during clinical placement

Martin, Romany, Neish, Calum, Su, Yi-Jen, Mandrusiak, Allison, Donovan, Michael, Dunwoodie, Ruth and Forbes, Roma (2024). Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of engagement with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during clinical placement. Focus on Health Professional Education, 25 (2), 20-35. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v25i2.748

Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of engagement with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during clinical placement

2024

Conference Publication

Internationalising health professions education researcher development: a collective approach in two continents

Pearson, Alison, Forbes, Roma, Mattick, Karen and Noble, Christy (2024). Internationalising health professions education researcher development: a collective approach in two continents. Association for the Study of Medical Education Annual Scholarship Conference, Warwick, United Kingdom, 10-12 July 2024.

Internationalising health professions education researcher development: a collective approach in two continents

2024

Journal Article

Supporting health professional students to navigate diagnostic uncertainty in pain

Forbes, Roma, Costa, Nathalia and West-Newman Stephen (2024). Supporting health professional students to navigate diagnostic uncertainty in pain. Health Professions Education, 10 (2) 7, 141-143. doi: 10.55890/2452-3011.1072

Supporting health professional students to navigate diagnostic uncertainty in pain

2024

Journal Article

Identifying and navigating suspected serious pathologies: new-graduate physiotherapists' perspectives and developmental needs

Phua, Rachel, Mandrusiak, Allison, Singh, Lakhvir, Martin, Romany and Forbes, Roma (2024). Identifying and navigating suspected serious pathologies: new-graduate physiotherapists' perspectives and developmental needs. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 71 102944. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102944

Identifying and navigating suspected serious pathologies: new-graduate physiotherapists' perspectives and developmental needs

2024

Journal Article

"This patient is not appropriate": Perspectives of physiotherapy students and clinical educators on exposing students to patients with complex needs during clinical practice placements

McGivern, Elaine, Mandrusiak, Allison, Rahmann, Ann and Forbes, Roma (2024). "This patient is not appropriate": Perspectives of physiotherapy students and clinical educators on exposing students to patients with complex needs during clinical practice placements. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2024.2355243

"This patient is not appropriate": Perspectives of physiotherapy students and clinical educators on exposing students to patients with complex needs during clinical practice placements

2024

Journal Article

Fluid professional boundaries: ethnographic observations of co-located chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists

Toloui-Wallace, Joshua, Forbes, Roma, Thomson, Oliver P. and Costa, Nathalia (2024). Fluid professional boundaries: ethnographic observations of co-located chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. BMC Health Services Research, 24 (1) 344, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12913-024-10738-1

Fluid professional boundaries: ethnographic observations of co-located chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Raising consumer awareness on the role of physiotherapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders in Australia
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Implementing integrated psychological and physical care for Australians after road traffic injury
    NHMRC MRFF Clinician Researchers: Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Grant
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2021
    An international, interprofessional evaluation of the experiences and needs of health professional students and educators in the online teaching and learning of clinical skills
    U21 Health Sciences Group Research Development Fund
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Private practice WIL opportunities for health professional students: increasing capacity for educational quality and equity
    ACEN Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Dr Roma Forbes - AQ WRAP
    Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Roma Forbes is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Enhancing clinical education capacity within the physiotherapy profession

  • New graduate physiotherapist readiness for practice

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Preparing and supporting recent graduate physiotherapists for the private sector

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak, Dr Alana Dinsdale

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The contribution of patient caseload complexity in bridging the gap between student and new graduate physiotherapist

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring and enhancing physiotherapist competency in clinical documentation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Preparing the physiotherapy workforce for identifying and managing social determinants of health

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Comparing and contrasting the physical therapies.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nathalia Costa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring new graduate physiotherapists transition to practice and the role of graduate programs

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Educational experience and work readiness of allied health students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adriana Penman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Study Strategies in Health Professions Education

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak, Professor Jason Lodge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring the experiences of clinical based learning and transition to clinical practice for physiotherapy students from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background with a view to informing better student, university and clinical placement practices

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Martin Sale

  • Master Philosophy

    Navigating diagnostic uncertainty in physiotherapy practice

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Alana Dinsdale

  • Master Philosophy

    Exploring student and practice educator experiences in feedback processes within clinical learning environments

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adriana Penman

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Behaviour Change for Healthy Living - Implementation and evaluation of a health professional delivered physical activity intervention in older adults in a community health service

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Genevieve Healy, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Behaviour Change for Healthy Living - Implementation and evaluation of a health professional delivered physical activity intervention in older adults in a community health service

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Genevieve Healy, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Roma Forbes directly for media enquiries about:

  • Clinical Education
  • Graduate Preparedness
  • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
  • Patient Education
  • Private Practice
  • Readiness for Practice
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Work Integrated Learning
  • Workforce

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au