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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. A highly experienced APA-titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, she brings extensive clinical and academic expertise to her role.

Roma is a Director of the Australian Physiotherapy Council and serves as the National Chair of the Accreditation Committee, overseeing the quality and standards of physiotherapy education and practice. She also represents Australia on the World Physiotherapy Education Committee, contributing to global advancements in physiotherapy and interprofessional education. She serves a number of editorial roles including as an Associate Editor for The Clinical Teacher and Editor for Education for the Archives of Physiotherapy.

With a strong commitment to student success and workforce readiness, Roma leads programs of research exploring work-integrated learning, student transition, and the capabilities needed for a contemporary health workforce. Her work informs both curriculum innovation and policy, focusing on how learning environments, assessment, and educator development can enhance graduate outcomes.

Roma is passionate about fostering a supported, inclusive, and high-performing community of health professional students, educators, and researchers at UQ and beyond. She remains deeply committed to transforming health professional education through evidence-informed leadership, policy, and partnerships that support students from university entry through to graduation and into the workforce.

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

Roma leads and collaborates with teams across universities and industry sectors to embed innovative patient education models and educator development frameworks into health professional programs in Australia and internationally. Her work focuses on building educator capability and embedding evidence-informed teaching practices across classroom and clinical settings. She also leads national research initiatives to improve access to and quality of work-integrated learning in private practice, identifying systemic barriers and co-designing solutions that strengthen placement capacity, educator support, and student learning outcomes.

Works

Search Professor Roma Forbes’s works on UQ eSpace

143 works between 2015 and 2025

1 - 20 of 143 works

2025

Journal Article

What factors influence the community’s use of physiotherapy services as first-line management for temporomandibular disorders? A qualitative study using the COM-B framework

Dinsdale, Alana, Levine, Joni, O’Leary, Shaun, Delaney, Jaqueline, Read, Jeanne, Vuvan, Susana, Dimitroulis, George, Scanlan, Rory and Forbes, Roma (2025). What factors influence the community’s use of physiotherapy services as first-line management for temporomandibular disorders? A qualitative study using the COM-B framework. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 77 103315, 103315. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103315

What factors influence the community’s use of physiotherapy services as first-line management for temporomandibular disorders? A qualitative study using the COM-B framework

2025

Journal Article

The assessment of physiotherapy practice is a robust measure of entry-level physiotherapy standards: reliability and validity evidence from a large, representative sample

Reubenson, Alan, Ng, Leo, Lawton, Vidya, Nahon, Irmina, Terry, Rebecca, Baldwin, Claire, Blackford, Julia, Bond, Alex, Corrigan, Rosemary, Dalton, Megan, Dario, Amabile Borges, Donovan, Michael, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Dwyer, Genevieve M., Forbes, Roma, Francis-Cracknell, Alison, Gill, Janelle, Hams, Andrea, Jones, Anne, Jones, Taryn, Judd, Belinda, Kennedy, Ewan, Morgan, Prue, Palmer, Tanya, Peiris, Casey, Taylor, Carolyn, Virtue, Debra, Zischke, Cherie, Gucciardi, Daniel F. and on behalf of the Physiotherapy Clinical Education Research Collaborative (PCERC) (2025). The assessment of physiotherapy practice is a robust measure of entry-level physiotherapy standards: reliability and validity evidence from a large, representative sample. PLoS One, 20 (4) e0321397, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321397

The assessment of physiotherapy practice is a robust measure of entry-level physiotherapy standards: reliability and validity evidence from a large, representative sample

2025

Journal Article

The effectiveness of conservative interventions on temporomandibular disorder-related kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing: a systematic review

Dinsdale, Alana, Atkins, Cara, Golds, Laura, Gough, Addison, Jessen, Kelcie and Forbes, Roma (2025). The effectiveness of conservative interventions on temporomandibular disorder-related kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing: a systematic review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 77 103328, 103328-77. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103328

The effectiveness of conservative interventions on temporomandibular disorder-related kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing: a systematic review

2025

Journal Article

Rethinking clinical placements: a response to changing healthcare demands

Rudland, Joy, Ash, Julie, Barclay, Luke, Bloomfield, Jacqueline, Bogossian, Fiona, Byrne, Kaylenne, Butler, Mary, Chur-Hansen, Anna, Clark, Scott, Edgar, Amanda, Fotheringham, Penelope, Forbes, Roma, Green, Elyce, Haworth, Navine, Hays, Richard, Judd, Belinda, Martin, Priya, Macdiarmid, Rachel, McNally, Clare, McNeill, Liz, McGee, Richard, Needham, Judith, Poole, Phillippa, Raymond, Jacqueline, Ridd, Melissa, Schoo, Adrian, Tran, Michael, Virtue, Debra, Wilkinson, Tim ... Ní Chróinín, Danielle (2025). Rethinking clinical placements: a response to changing healthcare demands. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal, 26 (1), 60-77. doi: 10.11157/fohpe-vol26iss1id782

Rethinking clinical placements: a response to changing healthcare demands

2025

Journal Article

Navigating uncertainty in low back pain care through an ethic of openness: Learnings from a post-critical analysis

Costa, Nathalia, Olson, Rebcca, Dillon, Miriam, Mescouto, Karime, Butler, Prudence, Forbes, Roma and Setchell, Jenny (2025). Navigating uncertainty in low back pain care through an ethic of openness: Learnings from a post-critical analysis. Health. doi: 10.1177/13634593241310383

Navigating uncertainty in low back pain care through an ethic of openness: Learnings from a post-critical analysis

2025

Journal Article

The impact of physical activity behavior change training for preprofessional health students—a systematic review

Lehman, Emily, Healy, Genevieve N., Forbes, Roma, Phillips, Mia, Gilbert, Casey and Gomersall, Sjaan R. (2025). The impact of physical activity behavior change training for preprofessional health students—a systematic review. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22 (5), 531-545. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2024-0399

The impact of physical activity behavior change training for preprofessional health students—a systematic review

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

2025

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 (2025). "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, 41 (3), 617-632. 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

2025

Journal Article

Challenging feedback literacy

Forbes, Roma (2025). Challenging feedback literacy. Health Professions Education, 11 (1), 36-37. doi: 10.55890/2452-3011.1316

Challenging feedback literacy

2025

Journal Article

Supporting allied health students during rural placements: Perspectives of students and clinical educators

Martin, Romany, Wilesmith, Sarah, Mandrusiak, Allison, Lu, Andric, Donovan, Michael, Dunwoodie, Ruth and Forbes, Roma (2025). Supporting allied health students during rural placements: Perspectives of students and clinical educators. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 26 (2), 203-217.

Supporting allied health students during rural placements: Perspectives of students and clinical educators

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

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

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

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

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

Funding

Current funding

  • 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

  • 2023 - 2025
    Raising consumer awareness on the role of physiotherapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders in Australia
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 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

    Exploring and enhancing physiotherapist competency in clinical documentation

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak

  • Doctor Philosophy

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

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Comparing and contrasting the physical therapies.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nathalia Costa

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Preparing new graduate physiotherapists to work with First Nations Australians: A cultural safety journey

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak

  • 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

    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

    Physical activity behaviour change training for pre-professional health students to support delivery in clinical practice

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Genevieve Healy, Associate Professor Sjaan Gomersall

  • Master Philosophy

    Navigating diagnostic uncertainty in physiotherapy practice

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Alana Dinsdale

  • 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

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

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adriana Penman

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