Overview
Background
Nadine is a physiotherapist, NHMRC Leadership Fellow (leadership level 2) focused on musculoskeletal pain and orthopaedic research, particularly clinical trials, and Academic Director of the University of Queensland's Clinical Trials Centre. Nadine is also the program lead for the Health Research Accelerator (HERA 2) program focused on innovation in clinical trials (ULTRA - UQ's Clinical Trial Capability). She is passionate about supporting multidisciplinary groups to work together, with critical mass, to design, conduct, analyse and translate the results of high quality clinical trials, in ways that improve patient and service outcomes.
Nadine is a lifetime Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in the UK, and has held previous National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Senior Investigator awards and is the only physiotherapist to have held an NIHR Research Professorship in the UK. Having moved to Australia in January 2021, she was the inaugural Director of the STARS Research and Education Alliance between the University of Queensland and Metro North Health in Queensland (STARS is the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service, the newest public hospital in Brisbane). Nadine is part of the STARS Alliance multidisciplinary team including conjoint appointments between the University and hospital, across the disciplines of physiotherapy, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, consumer involvement in research, interdisciplinary collaborative practice in education and practice, and research management.
Nadine's research focuses on musculoskeletal pain, including low back pain, osteoarthritis and shoulder problems, and she has a particular interest in developing, testing and implementing treatments and health services. She has led or collaborated on more than 31 randomised trials, attracting over $145 million in research funding from, for example, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Versus Arthritis, and the Medical Research Council in the UK, PCORI in the USA and the NHMRC and MRFF in Australia. Current examples include international collaborative RCTs funded through the NIHR-NHMRC collaborative trial scheme focused on comparative effectiveness of surgery and conservative care for persistent, severe low back pain and comparative effectiveness of different approaches to shoulder joint replacement for patients with shoulder osteoarthritis. She has supervised 15 PhD students to completion, and 19 Masters research project students (nearly all were healthcare professionals), with 5 PhDs currently in progress in the UK, Europe and Australia. Nadine has led or contributed to over 311 peer reviewed publications, including the Lancet Series on Low Back Pain in 2018.
Examples of recognition as a national and international leader in the field include:
2024-2029 NHMRC Investigator Grant, Leadership level 2, supporting a program of research focused on new musculoskeletal RCTs and sharing existing RCT data to answer further research questions
2023 Stanley Paris Visiting Fellowship award, University of Otago, New Zealand, supporting visiting fellowship in March 2024
2022 Chief Executive's Award for Research, Metro North Health and Hospital Service Research Excellence Award
2020 Senior Investigator award from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) in the UK, awarded to the top 200 clinical researchers in the country.
2019 PEDro recognition for the UK FASHIoN trial - chosen by a panel of international trialists as one of the five most important physiotherapy trials published in 2014-2019. Announced on 4 November 2019.
2019 Invited member of the International Research Strategy Advisory Committee for the Health Research Board’s (Ireland) new five year research strategy development. September-October 2019
2018 Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellowship 2019, University of Melbourne, Australia. February-March 2019
Availability
- Professor Nadine Foster is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), University of Ulster
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Ulster
Research interests
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Musculoskeletal pain including low back pain pain, osteoarthritis, shoulder pain
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Rehabilitation
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Health services research
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Interprofessional collaborative practice in health services
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Clinical trials
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Using routine health record data to improve care and outcomes
Research impacts
How to get the right treatment to the right musculoskeletal (MSK) patient at the right time is a key challenge. Prof Foster's clinical research program is internationally renowned for establishing the effectiveness of interventions through randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and evidencing new models of care (eg. stratified and stepped care) that has widely influenced health policy and practice.
Her program of research has led to paradigm-changing discoveries, producing 287 peer reviewed full papers cited widely in >129 countries, >27 disciplines (eg. medicine, health professions, neuroscience, social sciences, engineering, decision sciences), and in 765 news outlets and underpinned 31 patents.
Four of Prof Foster's program interventions were recommended by Public Health England based on their return-on-investment (ROI) and included in a ROI tool used by >200 Clinical Commissioning Groups in England. Her research has developed internationally agreed and widely adopted core outcome sets and set the international bar for stratified care trials in musculoskeletal pain, leading to >12 trials globally including in other fields (eg. arthritis, whiplash).
Prof Foster's research has provided best evidence about treatments and challenged the 'one-size-fits-all' musculoskeletal healthcare approach, influencing 88 policy documents including NICE and the WHO, 35 guidelines in 8 countries, including the UK NICE Low Back Pain and Osteoarthritis Clinical Guidelines, and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare Back Pain Standards. Her program transformed patient care pathways including the UK's National Back Pain & Sciatica Pathway. Many hospital medical centres (eg. Massachusetts General Hospital) and universities (eg. Harvard Medical School and Oxford University) cite her program of research, and collaborations with IT industry partners EMIS Health & SystmOne embedded her stratified care tools in clinical practice (eg. the STarTBack tool, with >42 language translations).
Works
Search Professor Nadine Foster’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
Development and external validation of individualized prediction models for pain intensity outcomes in patients with neck pain, low back pain, or both in primary care settings
Archer, Lucinda, Snell, Kym I. E., Stynes, Siobhán, Axen, Iben, Dunn, Kate M., Foster, Nadine E., Wynne-Jones, Gwenllian, Windt, Daniëlle A. and Hill, Jonathan C. (2023). Development and external validation of individualized prediction models for pain intensity outcomes in patients with neck pain, low back pain, or both in primary care settings. Physical Therapy, 103 (11) pzad128, 1-12. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzad128
2023
Journal Article
Predictors of outcome in sciatica patients following an epidural steroid injection: the POiSE prospective observational cohort study protocol
Stynes, Siobhan, Snell, Kym I.E., Riley, Richard D., Konstantinou, Kika, Cherrington, Andrea, Daud, Noor, Ostelo, Raymond, O'Dowd, John and Foster, Nadine E. (2023). Predictors of outcome in sciatica patients following an epidural steroid injection: the POiSE prospective observational cohort study protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (11) e077776, 1-9. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077776
2023
Journal Article
The acceptability and feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a walking intervention for older people with persistent musculoskeletal pain in primary care: A mixed methods evaluation of the iPOPP pilot trial
Healey, Emma L., McBeth, John, Nicholls, Elaine, Chew-Graham, Carolyn A., Dent, Stephen, Foster, Nadine E., Herron, Daniel, Pincus, Tamar, Hartshorne, Liz, Hay, Elaine M. and Jinks, Clare (2023). The acceptability and feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a walking intervention for older people with persistent musculoskeletal pain in primary care: A mixed methods evaluation of the iPOPP pilot trial. Musculoskeletal Care, 21 (4), 1372-1386. doi: 10.1002/msc.1815
2023
Journal Article
Absence of improvement with exercise in some patients with knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study of responders and nonresponders
Hinman, Rana S., Jones, Sarah E., Nelligan, Rachel K., Campbell, Penelope K., Hall, Michelle, Foster, Nadine E., Russell, Trevor and Bennell, Kim L. (2023). Absence of improvement with exercise in some patients with knee osteoarthritis: a qualitative study of responders and nonresponders. Arthritis Care and Research, 75 (9), 1925-1938. doi: 10.1002/acr.25085
2023
Journal Article
Mechanisms of action of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip OA remain a black box phenomenon: an individual patient data mediation study with the OA Trial Bank
Runhaar, Jos, Holden, Melanie A., Hattle, Miriam, Quicke, Jonathan, Healey, Emma Louise, van der Windt, Danielle, Dziedzic, Krysia S., Middelkoop, Marienke van, Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita and Foster, Nadine E. (2023). Mechanisms of action of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip OA remain a black box phenomenon: an individual patient data mediation study with the OA Trial Bank. RMD Open, 9 (3) e003220. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003220
2023
Journal Article
Technical issues occur but are infrequent and have little impact on physiotherapist-delivered videoconferencing consultations for knee osteoarthritis: A descriptive study
Ross, Megan H., Russell, Trevor, Bennell, Kim L., Campbell, Penny K., Kimp, Alexander J., Foster, Nadine E. and Hinman, Rana S. (2023). Technical issues occur but are infrequent and have little impact on physiotherapist-delivered videoconferencing consultations for knee osteoarthritis: A descriptive study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66 102782, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102782
2023
Journal Article
Osteoarthritis year in review 2022: epidemiology and therapy
Foster, N. E., Eriksson, L., Deveza, L. and Hall, M. (2023). Osteoarthritis year in review 2022: epidemiology and therapy. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 31 (7), 876-883. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.03.008
2023
Journal Article
Moderators of the effect of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis
Holden, Melanie A, Hattle, Miriam, Runhaar, Jos, Riley, Richard D, Healey, Emma L, Quicke, Jonathan, van der Windt, Danielle A, Dziedzic, Krysia, van Middelkoop, Marienke, Burke, Danielle, Corp, Nadia, Legha, Amardeep, Bierma-Zeinstra, Sita, Foster, Nadine E, Brown, Jenny, Ingram, Carol, Hickson, Sheila, Taylor, Robert, Walker, Christine, Abbott, J Haxby, Allen, Kelli, Bennell, Kim, Bossen, Daniel, Chaipinyo, Kanda, Cochrane, Tom, de Rooij, Mariëtte, Risberg, May Arna, Fitzgerald, G Kelley, French, Helen ... Yilmaz Menek, Merve (2023). Moderators of the effect of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. The Lancet Rheumatology, 5 (7), e386-e400. doi: 10.1016/s2665-9913(23)00122-4
2023
Conference Publication
How is personalisation used in exercise for people with dementia, in what circumstances and why? A rapid realist review
Booth, Vicky, Harwood, Rowan H., Logan, Pip A., Foster, Nadine, Pugh, Pearl, Graff, Maud, Schneider, Stefan and Wong, Geoff (2023). How is personalisation used in exercise for people with dementia, in what circumstances and why? A rapid realist review. Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2022, San Diego, CA United States, 31 July - 4 August 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/alz.065760
2023
Journal Article
Stratified primary care for adults with musculoskeletal pain: the STarT MSK research programme including RCTs
Foster, Nadine E., Dunn, Kate M., Protheroe, Joanne, Hill, Jonathan C., Lewis, Martyn, Saunders, Benjamin, Jowett, Sue, Hennings, Susie, Campbell, Paul, Bromley, Kieran, Bartlam, Bernadette, Babatunde, Opeyemi, Wathall, Simon, Oppong, Raymond, Kigozi, Jesse and Chudyk, Adrian (2023). Stratified primary care for adults with musculoskeletal pain: the STarT MSK research programme including RCTs. Programme Grants for Applied Research, 11 (4), 1-103. doi: 10.3310/fbvx4177
2023
Journal Article
Comparison of health-care utilization, costs and health-related quality of life across the subgroups defined by the Keele STarT MSK Tool
Oppong, Raymond, Lewis, Martyn, Campbell, Paul, Dunn, Kate M., Foster, Nadine E., Hill, Jonathan C. and Jowett, Sue (2023). Comparison of health-care utilization, costs and health-related quality of life across the subgroups defined by the Keele STarT MSK Tool. Rheumatology, 62 (6), 2076-2082. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac560
2023
Journal Article
Improving the effectiveness of exercise therapy for adults with knee osteoarthritis: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (BEEP trial)
Foster, Nadine E., Nicholls, Elaine, Holden, Melanie A., Healey, Emma L. and Hay, Elaine M. (2023). Improving the effectiveness of exercise therapy for adults with knee osteoarthritis: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (BEEP trial). Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation, 5 (2) 100266, 1-22. doi: 10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100266
2023
Journal Article
Effects of an online education program on physiotherapists’ confidence in weight management for people with osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Allison, Kim, Jones, Sarah, Hinman, Rana S, Briggs, Andrew M., Sumithran, Priya, Quicke, Jonathan, Holden, Melanie, Chiavaroli, Neville, Crofts, Sam, George, Elena, Foster, Nadine and Bennell, Kim (2023). Effects of an online education program on physiotherapists’ confidence in weight management for people with osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Care and Research, 75 (4), 835-847. doi: 10.1002/acr.24828
2023
Journal Article
Conceptualising adherence to exercise for musculoskeletal pain: a concept mapping study
Bailey, Daniel, Bishop, Annett, Foster, Nadine E. and Holden, Melanie A. (2023). Conceptualising adherence to exercise for musculoskeletal pain: a concept mapping study. Physiotherapy Research International, 28 (2) e1989, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/pri.1989
2023
Journal Article
Development and feasibility of stratified primary care physiotherapy integrated with eHealth in patients with neck and/or shoulder complaints: results of a mixed methods study
van Tilburg, Mark L., Kloek, Corelien J. J., Foster, Nadine E., Ostelo, Raymond W. J. G., Veenhof, Cindy, Staal, J. Bart and Pisters, Martijn F. (2023). Development and feasibility of stratified primary care physiotherapy integrated with eHealth in patients with neck and/or shoulder complaints: results of a mixed methods study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 24 (1) 176, 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s12891-023-06272-6
2023
Journal Article
Are we giving stratified care a fair trial?
Foster, Nadine E, Hill, Jonathan C and Knoop, Jesper (2023). Are we giving stratified care a fair trial?. Journal of Physiotherapy, 69 (2), 65-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jphys.2023.02.014
2023
Journal Article
Developing a best practice framework for musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy delegation: the MOPeD mixed-methods research study protocol
Sarigiovannis, Panos, Foster, Nadine E., Jowett, Sue and Saunders, Benjamin (2023). Developing a best practice framework for musculoskeletal outpatient physiotherapy delegation: the MOPeD mixed-methods research study protocol. BMJ Open, 13 (3) e072989, 1-7. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072989
2023
Journal Article
Development and validation of multivariable prediction models for in-hospital death, 30-day death, and change in residence after hip fracture surgery and the 'stratify-hip' algorithm
Goubar, Aicha, Martin, Finbarr C, Sackley, Catherine, Foster, Nadine E, Ayis, Salma, Gregson, Celia L, Cameron, Ian D, Walsh, Nicola E and Sheehan, Katie J (2023). Development and validation of multivariable prediction models for in-hospital death, 30-day death, and change in residence after hip fracture surgery and the 'stratify-hip' algorithm. Journals of Gerontology. Series A: Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences, 78 (9), 1659-1668. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glad053
2023
Journal Article
Matching the outcomes to treatment targets of exercise for low back pain: does it make a difference? Results of secondary analyses from individual patient data of randomised controlled trials and pooling of results across trials in comparative meta-analysis
Wood, Lianne, Foster, Nadine E., Lewis, Martyn, Bronfort, Gert, Groessl, Erik J., Hewitt, Catherine, Miyamoto, Gisela C., Reme, Silje E. and Bishop, Annette (2023). Matching the outcomes to treatment targets of exercise for low back pain: does it make a difference? Results of secondary analyses from individual patient data of randomised controlled trials and pooling of results across trials in comparative meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 104 (2), 218-228. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.07.012
2023
Journal Article
Moderators, mediators, and prognostic indicators of treatment with hip arthroscopy or physical therapy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: secondary analyses from the Australian FASHIoN Trial
Murphy, Nicholas J., Eyles, Jillian, Spiers, Libby, Davidson, Emily, Kim, Young Jo, Linklater, James M., Afacan, Onur, Bennell, Kim L., Burns, Alexander, Diamond, Laura E., Dickenson, Edward, Fary, Camdon, Foster, Nadine E., Fripp, Jurgen, Grieve, Stuart M., Griffin, Damian R., Heller, Gillian, Molnar, Robert, Neubert, Ales, O’Donnell, John, O’Sullivan, Michael, Randhawa, Sunny, Reichenbach, Stephan, Singh, Parminder, Tran, Phong and Hunter, David J. (2023). Moderators, mediators, and prognostic indicators of treatment with hip arthroscopy or physical therapy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: secondary analyses from the Australian FASHIoN Trial. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 51 (1), 141-154. doi: 10.1177/03635465221136547
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Nadine Foster is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Collaborative clinical practice in healthcare
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Neil Cottrell, Associate Professor Rebecca Olson
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Nadine Foster directly for media enquiries about:
- arthritis
- back pain
- clinical trials
- joint pain
- knee pain
- musculoskeletal disorders
- osteoarthritis
- pain
- physiotherapy
- rehabilitation
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