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
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
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.
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
Hospital discharge planning: a qualitative study of new-graduate physiotherapists' experiences
Martin, Romany, Phan, Andrew, Tan, Shaun, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2022). Hospital discharge planning: a qualitative study of new-graduate physiotherapists' experiences. Health Education in Practice: Journal of Research for Professional Learning, 5 (1). doi: 10.33966/hepj.5.1.15759
2022
Conference Publication
Support needs of physiotherapy students on rural clinical placement: experience of students and clinical educators.
Martin, Romany, Donovan, Michael, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Mandrusiak, Allison and Forbes, Roma (2022). Support needs of physiotherapy students on rural clinical placement: experience of students and clinical educators.. SARRAH 2022 National Rural and Remote Allied Health Conference, Online, 16 November 2022.
2022
Journal Article
The value of vicarious experiences in health professions education
Forbes, Roma (2022). The value of vicarious experiences in health professions education. Education in the Health Professions, 5 (3), 130-134. doi: 10.4103/ehp.ehp_15_22
2022
Journal Article
When worlds collide: experiences of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths working together
Toloui-Wallace, Joshua, Forbes, Roma, Thomson, Oliver P. and Setchell, Jenny (2022). When worlds collide: experiences of physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths working together. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 60 102564, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102564
2022
Conference Publication
Physiotherapy students’ empathy towards Australians living in rural settings: a rural telehealth simulation intervention
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Russell, Trevor and Forbes, Roma (2022). Physiotherapy students’ empathy towards Australians living in rural settings: a rural telehealth simulation intervention. The Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators Conference , Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 19 July .
2022
Journal Article
Physiotherapy students' empathy towards Australians living in rural settings: a pre‐test post‐test evaluation of a stand‐alone rural simulation activity
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Russell, Trevor and Forbes, Roma (2022). Physiotherapy students' empathy towards Australians living in rural settings: a pre‐test post‐test evaluation of a stand‐alone rural simulation activity. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 31 (1), 19-31. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12902
2022
Conference Publication
Clinical placements in private practice; exploring impacts and opportunities for quality and capacity
Forbes, Roma, Dunwoodie, Ruth and Dinsdale, Alana (2022). Clinical placements in private practice; exploring impacts and opportunities for quality and capacity. Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Education, Brisbane, QLD Australia, July 11 2022.
2022
Journal Article
‘I am the educator and the learner at the same time’: a qualitative survey of the knowledge and use of adult learning theory in UK musculoskeletal physiotherapists' patient education
Boland, Katy, Pigott, Tim and Forbes, Roma (2022). ‘I am the educator and the learner at the same time’: a qualitative survey of the knowledge and use of adult learning theory in UK musculoskeletal physiotherapists' patient education. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 29 (7), 1-18. doi: 10.12968/ijtr.2021.0180
2022
Journal Article
The transformation of a student-led health clinic in rural Australia from a face-to-face service to a telehealth model: Evaluation of student and client experiences during a COVID-19 driven transition
Walker, C, Forbes, R, Osborn, D, Lewis, P.A, Cottrell, N, Peek, S and Argus, G (2022). The transformation of a student-led health clinic in rural Australia from a face-to-face service to a telehealth model: Evaluation of student and client experiences during a COVID-19 driven transition. Focus on Health Professional Education, 23 (2), 79-92. doi: 10.11157/fohpe.v23i2.554
2022
Conference Publication
A telehealth curriculum; a pre-post study of physiotherapy students’ perceived knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions for future use
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Russell, Trevor and Forbes, Roma (2022). A telehealth curriculum; a pre-post study of physiotherapy students’ perceived knowledge, self-efficacy, and intentions for future use. Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 27-30 June 2022.
2022
Journal Article
A toolbox for teaching telehealth using simulation
Martin, Romany, Mandrusiak, Allison, Russell, Trevor and Forbes, Roma (2022). A toolbox for teaching telehealth using simulation. The Clinical Teacher, 19 (4), 270-275. doi: 10.1111/tct.13510
2022
Journal Article
Strategies used to host allied health students in private practice placements: the perspective of private practices and clinical education coordinators
Forbes, Roma , Dinsdale, Alana, Hill, Anne, Booth, Jodie, Cain, Daniella, Crabb, Meagan, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Hunter, Lucy, Sher, Auriel and Copley, Jodie (2022). Strategies used to host allied health students in private practice placements: the perspective of private practices and clinical education coordinators. International Journal of Work-Integrated Learning, 23 (1), 31-47.
2022
Journal Article
The benefits and barriers of hosting students within allied health private practice settings: The perspective of private practice and clinical education coordinators
Forbes, Roma, Dinsdale, Alana, Copley, Jodie, Booth, Jodie, Cain, Daniella, Crabb, Meagan, Dunwoodie, Ruth, Hunter, Lucy, Sher, Auriel and Hill, Anne (2022). The benefits and barriers of hosting students within allied health private practice settings: The perspective of private practice and clinical education coordinators. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 11 (1). doi: 10.53300/001c.34708
2022
Other Outputs
Using vicarious experiences online to engage and motivate students
Forbes, Roma (2022, 04 13). Using vicarious experiences online to engage and motivate students Times Higher Education
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
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
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
-
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
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
-
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 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
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