Overview
Background
Roma Forbes is the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) for Student Experience and Success in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioual Sciences. A highly experienced APA-titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and teaching-focused Associate Professor in Physiotherapy, 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.
Roma also maintains a long-standing commitment to community service through her advocacy and volunteer work with the Australian Government’s Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme (ACVVS). This commitment to community wellbeing informs her leadership and reflects her broader values of connection and equitable access to care.
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
- Associate Professor 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
2023
Journal Article
An online module to introduce students to private practice.
Forbes, Roma, Bonner, Katy, Phoong, Chu Ting, Ng, Talia, Angwin, Anthony, McClymont, Damian, Scott, Rachel, Wernyjowska, Jo, Melvin, Katelyn, Koo, Rachel and Hoyle, Melanie (2023). An online module to introduce students to private practice.. Education in the Health Professions, 63 (3), 114-120. doi: 10.4103/EHP.EHP_18_23
2023
Journal Article
Systematic review of distributed practice and retrieval practice in health professions education
Trumble, Emma, Lodge, Jason, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2023). Systematic review of distributed practice and retrieval practice in health professions education. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 29 (2), 689-714. doi: 10.1007/s10459-023-10274-3
2023
Journal Article
Embarking on a cultural journey: a qualitative study of new graduate physiotherapists’ experiences of working in First Nations Australian health settings
Nelson, Curtley, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2023). Embarking on a cultural journey: a qualitative study of new graduate physiotherapists’ experiences of working in First Nations Australian health settings. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40 (10), 1-11. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2246547
2023
Journal Article
"I felt uncertain about my whole future"-a qualitative investigation of people's experiences of navigating uncertainty when seeking care for their low back pain
Costa, Nathalia, Butler, Prudenc, Dillon, Miriam, Mescouto, Karime, Olson, Rebecca, Forbes, Roma and Setchell, Jenny (2023). "I felt uncertain about my whole future"-a qualitative investigation of people's experiences of navigating uncertainty when seeking care for their low back pain. Pain, 164 (12), 2749-2758. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002975
2023
Other Outputs
Real-world education: embracing project-based learning
Forbes, Roma and Donovan, Michael (2023, 06 16). Real-world education: embracing project-based learning THE Campus
2023
Journal Article
Do intra-articular temporomandibular disorders show an association between physical bite function, self-perceived bite limitation and kinesiophobia? A case-control study
Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2023). Do intra-articular temporomandibular disorders show an association between physical bite function, self-perceived bite limitation and kinesiophobia? A case-control study. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 65 102756, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102756
2023
Conference Publication
Preparing occupational therapy students for the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Evaluation of an online module
Hoyle, Melanie, Forbes, Roma and Bonner, Katy (2023). Preparing occupational therapy students for the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Evaluation of an online module. OTA 30th National Conference and Exhibition 2023, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 21-23 June 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Preparing students for private practice settings
Forbes, Roma (2023). Preparing students for private practice settings. Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 26-29 June 2023. Gold Coast, QLD, Australia: Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators.
2023
Conference Publication
Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of engagement with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during clinical placement
Martin, Romany, Donovan, Michael, Su, Yi-Jen, Neish, Calum, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2023). Physiotherapy students’ perceptions of engagement with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities during clinical placement. Australian Physiotherapy Association Symposium, Launceston, TAS Australia, 27 May 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Clinical Documentation During Clinical Placements: Perspectives of Physiotherapy Students and Clinical Educators
Howse, Laura, Gane, Elise and Forbes, Roma (2023). Clinical Documentation During Clinical Placements: Perspectives of Physiotherapy Students and Clinical Educators. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 12 (1). doi: 10.53300/001c.71404
2023
Journal Article
The future role of healthcare mentors and coaches in navigating workplace culture
Martin, R., Copley, J., Dunwoodie, R., Forbes, R., Joyce, L., Mandrusiak, A., Noble, C., Pearson, A., Radford, J., Wilkinson, T. and Sheehan, D. (2023). The future role of healthcare mentors and coaches in navigating workplace culture. Focus on Health Professional Education, 24 (1), 95-103. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v24i1.706
2023
Journal Article
Perceived preparedness and training needs of new graduate physiotherapists’ working with First Nations Australians
Nelson, Curtley, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2023). Perceived preparedness and training needs of new graduate physiotherapists’ working with First Nations Australians. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 40 (7), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2179382
2022
Journal Article
Professional development from the perspective of new-graduate physiotherapists within Australian hospital settings: A qualitative study
Tan, Shaun, Phan, Andrew, Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2022). Professional development from the perspective of new-graduate physiotherapists within Australian hospital settings: A qualitative study. Focus on Health Professional Education, 23 (4), 35-51. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v23i4.619
2022
Other Outputs
What the health: Should I be standing while I work?
Forbes, Roma (2022, 12 12). What the health: Should I be standing while I work? What the Health
2022
Journal Article
The impact of rural nursing and midwifery clinical placements from the perspective of health service staff
Walker, Clara and Forbes, Roma (2022). The impact of rural nursing and midwifery clinical placements from the perspective of health service staff. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31 (2), 256-265. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12943
2022
Journal Article
The ubiquity of uncertainty in low back pain care
Costa, Nathalia, Mescouto, Karime, Dillon, Miriam, Olson, Rebecca, Butler, Prudence, Forbes, Roma and Setchell, Jenny (2022). The ubiquity of uncertainty in low back pain care. Social Science and Medicine, 313 115422, 115422. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115422
2022
Journal Article
Are new graduates prepared?
Collyer, Martin, Forbes, Roma and Nelson, Curtley (2022). Are new graduates prepared? . Physiotherapy InMotion, November, 2022, 8-9.
2022
Journal Article
The support needs of health professional educators to teach clinical skills online: Experiences of COVID-19 lockdowns from three countries
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Hoyle, Melanie , Fuentes-Cimma, Javiera, Henrico, Karien , Patterson, Freyr, Penman, Adriana, Hill, Anne and Forbes, Roma (2022). The support needs of health professional educators to teach clinical skills online: Experiences of COVID-19 lockdowns from three countries. Focus on Health Professional Education, 23 (3), 18-35. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v23i3.588
2022
Journal Article
A telehealth curriculum: A pre-post study of physiotherapy students’ perceived knowledge, self-efficacy and intentions for future use
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Lang, Ray, Forbes, Roma and Russell, Trevor (2022). A telehealth curriculum: A pre-post study of physiotherapy students’ perceived knowledge, self-efficacy and intentions for future use. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal, 23 (3), 56-72. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v23i3.595
2022
Conference Publication
Hosting physiotherapy student placements in private practice: why consider it and how to get started; Workshop
Carlo, Marlena, Forbes, Roma, Kluckhenn, Travis, Peiris, Casey , Pritchard, Shane and Lawton, Vidya (2022). Hosting physiotherapy student placements in private practice: why consider it and how to get started; Workshop . Australian Physiotherapy Conference , Melbourne, Australia, 30 September - 2 October 2022.
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Roma Forbes is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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 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, Dr Tomomi McAuliffe
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing new graduate physiotherapist practice of clinical documentation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak
-
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
Exploring the professional boundaries between physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy in Australia
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
The contribution of patient caseload complexity in bridging the gap between student and new graduate physiotherapist
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak
-
Master Philosophy
Does an understanding of interprofessional collaboration impact preregistration nursing students¿ readiness to engage in interprofessional education?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jacqueline Jauncey-Cooke, Associate Professor Peter Lewis
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Belonging in Health Professions Practice Placements
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jessica Hill, Dr Adriana Penman
-
Master Philosophy
Navigating diagnostic uncertainty in physiotherapy practice
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Alana Dinsdale, Dr Nathalia Costa
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Preparing and supporting new-graduate physiotherapists for rural practice
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trevor Russell, Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak
-
2025
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring disability and management in adults with persistent mechanical temporomandibular disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven, Dr Lucy Thomas
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor 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
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