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Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
Associate Professor

Shaun O'Leary

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Overview

Background

Shaun O’Leary, BPHTY (Hon), MPHTY (Msk), PhD, is an Associate Professor in Physiotherapy between the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Queensland, and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Physiotherapy Department, in Brisbane, Australia. He is also a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists (ACP) in 2008). Shaun is a longstanding member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and Fellow of the ACP. Shaun is across clinical education at all levels of physiotherapy training. He has had a major teaching role in the University of Queensland’s postgraduate specialty Masters of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy) programs since 2001, and nationally has served the ACP as an examiner, and former council member and Chair of the Fellowships Program Standing Committee. In 2021 Shaun was awarded a Senior Fellowship within the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Shaun has over 130 publications relating to the management of musculoskeletal conditions (including >110 research articles, 6 book chapters, 2 books translated to multiple languages), > 50 conference presentations, nearly AUD$6 million career grant funding, and have delivered over 60 clinical workshops worldwide, and received clinical research awards nationally and internationally, and supervised 13 research higher degrees.

Availability

Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework) of Physiotherapy Studies, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

The following five examples evidence translation and impact of my research programs -

1. International Influence on the Management of Neck Pain and other Musculoskeletal Conditions: My collaborative research has influenced the management of neck pain as evident by the uptake of co-authored books distributed widely internationally (adapted to 5 languages), 66 original research and 6 review articles concerning neck pain, 66 clinical seminars and workshops concerning neck pain nationally (41) and internationally (25), and clinically focussed awards internationally (2010 American Physical Therapy Association) and nationally (2009 Australian Physiotherapy Association).

2. Developing and Embedding a State-Wide Advanced Practice Musculoskeletal Health Service Model of Care Physiotherapy Screening Clinics & Multidisciplinary Services (MPSC & MDS): My collaborative research program developing and implementing economic modelling within the state-wide Physiotherapy Screening Clinics & Multidisciplinary Services (MPSC&MDS) resulted in approximately $6.5 million of new investment in service planning across multiple hospitals, attracting a Metro North Hospital Health Service Implementation Research Award in 2018. It also underpinned a 2024 invited health service masterclass for which I was senior author showcasing the developing and embedding the MPSC&MDS state-wide, including key characteristics, research and educational initiatives are described that have collectively underpinned successful expansion and sustainability of the service model.

3. Provision of Telehealth Services at Multiple Hospitals: My collaborative studies with former PhD student Dr Michelle Cottrell supported the implementation of Telehealth in 7 Queensland hospital health services, receiving a 2019 High Commendation in the Metro-North Hospitals, Health Services and Implementation Research Award category. One of the papers in this series has been cited 356 times. These studies additionally supported the ability of these Hospital Health Services to maintain important service delivery during the global pandemic (COVID-19). Dr Cottrell was subsequently sought by national and international service and education providers (eg.Physiopedia) to provide consultancy and develop education material regarding telehealth during the COVID-19 response.

4. Changes to Patient Discharge Practices within Advance Practice Models of Care: A series of studies in our advanced practice musculoskeletal services resulted in changes to patient discharge practices in some public hospitals extending the capacity for physiotherapist clinical leaders to formally discharge patients from Specialist Orthopaedic Services without the need for approval by medical specialists. This was achieved through the demonstration of high rates of successfully discharging patients without the need to see medical specialists (approx. 70%), combined with a very low rate of representation of discharged patients to the service (<5%). This served as an exemplar research strategy that has been taken up by other advanced practice models in Queensland Health.

5. Extending the Scope of Physiotherapy Practitioners: I collaborated in a series of studies that provided initial evidence for the role of extended scope physiotherapy practitioners in Australia. The final study in particular demonstrated that corticosteroid injection for shoulder pain by a suitably qualified physiotherapist was at least as clinically effective, and less expensive, than similar care delivered by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Works

Search Professor Shaun O'Leary’s works on UQ eSpace

167 works between 2001 and 2025

1 - 20 of 167 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 reliability of goniometric measurement of frontal knee alignment in standing in people with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study

Rodrigo, Thiv, Hislop, Andrew, O’Leary, Shaun P. and Window, Peter J. (2025). The reliability of goniometric measurement of frontal knee alignment in standing in people with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study. Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research, 9 260, 260-265. doi: 10.25259/jmsr_502_2024

The reliability of goniometric measurement of frontal knee alignment in standing in people with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study

2024

Journal Article

Validity and reliability of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) in adults with chronic isolated extremity injuries

Butler, Prudence, Giummarra, Melita J., O’Leary, Shaun and Sterling, Michele (2024). Validity and reliability of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) in adults with chronic isolated extremity injuries. European Journal of Physiotherapy, 1-11. doi: 10.1080/21679169.2024.2437701

Validity and reliability of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) in adults with chronic isolated extremity injuries

2024

Journal Article

Exploring congruence between patient and clinician expectations of benefit in the non‐surgical management of common musculoskeletal conditions in tertiary care

Marks, Darryn, Window, Peter, Raymer, Maree, Kelly, Patrick Swete, Smith, Alison, MacGregor, Graham, O'Gorman, Helen, Jang, Ellen, Erceg, Steve, Wickins, Daniel, Milne, Grahame, Cooper, Helen, Seels, Ian, Diplock, Brendan, Taneja, Nikhil, McLoughlin, Ian, McPhail, Steven M. and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Exploring congruence between patient and clinician expectations of benefit in the non‐surgical management of common musculoskeletal conditions in tertiary care. Musculoskeletal Care, 22 (4) e70036, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/msc.70036

Exploring congruence between patient and clinician expectations of benefit in the non‐surgical management of common musculoskeletal conditions in tertiary care

2024

Journal Article

MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle

McKay, Marnee J., Weber, Kenneth A., Wesselink, Evert O., Smith, Zachary A., Abbott, Rebecca, Anderson, David B., Ashton-James, Claire E., Atyeo, John, Beach, Aaron J., Burns, Joshua, Clarke, Stephen, Collins, Natalie J., Coppieters, Michel W., Cornwall, Jon, Crawford, Rebecca J., De Martino, Enrico, Dunn, Adam G., Eyles, Jillian P., Feng, Henry J., Fortin, Maryse, Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Galloway, Graham, Gandomkar, Ziba, Glastras, Sarah, Henderson, Luke, Hides, Julie A., Hiller, Claire E., Hilmer, Sarah N., Hoggarth, Mark A. ... Elliott, James M. (2024). MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle. Journal of Imaging, 10 (11) 262, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/jimaging10110262

MuscleMap: An Open-Source, Community-Supported Consortium for Whole-Body Quantitative MRI of Muscle

2024

Book Chapter

Idiopathic neck pain

Jull, Gwendolen, Falla, Deborah, Treleaven, Julia and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Idiopathic neck pain. Grieve's modern musculoskeletal physiotherapy. (pp. 422-438) edited by Deborah Falla, Jeremy Lewis, Christopher McCarthy, Chad E. Cook and Michele Sterling. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-7020-8089-0.00053-7

Idiopathic neck pain

2024

Journal Article

Exploring equity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the state-wide Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multi-disciplinary Service in Queensland Health

McDougall, Alistair, Raymer, Maree, Window, Peter, Cottrell, Michelle, Nelson, Curtley, Francia, Carl, Watson, Eliza and O’Leary, Shaun (2024). Exploring equity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the state-wide Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multi-disciplinary Service in Queensland Health. Australian Health Review, 49 (1) AH24063, 1-12. doi: 10.1071/ah24063

Exploring equity of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the state-wide Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Screening Clinic and Multi-disciplinary Service in Queensland Health

2024

Journal Article

Pre-operative pain pressure threshold association with patient satisfaction following total knee arthroplasty

McAuliffe, Michael, Pillay, Tristan, Jaber, Khalid, Sterling, Michele and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Pre-operative pain pressure threshold association with patient satisfaction following total knee arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedics, 52, 21-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2024.02.017

Pre-operative pain pressure threshold association with patient satisfaction following total knee arthroplasty

2024

Journal Article

Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 1: feasibility

Collins, Natalie J., Smith, Michelle D., O’Leary, Shaun P., Maclachlan, Liam R., Cottrell, Michelle A., Vicenzino, Bill, Vuvan, Viana, Comans, Tracy, Kemp, Joanne L., Barton, Christian J., Lee, Darryl, McCaskill, Stuart, Cush, Adrian, Hislop, Andrew C. and Raymer, Maree E. (2024). Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 1: feasibility. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 71 102960, 102960. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102960

Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 1: feasibility

2024

Journal Article

Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 2: service providers’ perceptions

Cottrell, Michelle A., Raymer, Maree E., Maclachlan, Liam R., Vuvan, Viana, Smith, Michelle D., O’Leary, Shaun P., Vicenzino, Bill, Comans, Tracy, Kemp, Joanne L., Barton, Christian J. and Collins, Natalie J. (2024). Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 2: service providers’ perceptions. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 71 102961, 102961. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102961

Implementing Good Life with osteoArthritis from Denmark (GLA:D®) in Australian public hospitals. Part 2: service providers’ perceptions

2024

Journal Article

Developing and embedding an advanced practice musculoskeletal physiotherapy service in public specialist outpatient services in Queensland: A health service masterclass

Raymer, Maree, Swete Kelly, Patrick and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Developing and embedding an advanced practice musculoskeletal physiotherapy service in public specialist outpatient services in Queensland: A health service masterclass. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 70 102917, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102917

Developing and embedding an advanced practice musculoskeletal physiotherapy service in public specialist outpatient services in Queensland: A health service masterclass

2024

Journal Article

Prospective validity of a clinical prediction rule for response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis in tertiary care: a multisite prospective longitudinal study

Window, Peter, Raymer, Maree, McPhail, Steven M., Vicenzino, Bill, Hislop, Andrew, Vallini, Alex, Elwell, Bula, O'Gorman, Helen, Phillips, Ben, Wake, Anneke, Cush, Adrian, McCaskill, Stuart, Garsden, Linda, Dillon, Miriam, McLennan, Andrew and O'Leary, Shaun (2024). Prospective validity of a clinical prediction rule for response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis in tertiary care: a multisite prospective longitudinal study. BMJ Open, 14 (3) e078531, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078531

Prospective validity of a clinical prediction rule for response to non-surgical multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis in tertiary care: a multisite prospective longitudinal study

2024

Journal Article

Reinforcing informed medication prescription for low back pain in the emergency department (RIME): a controlled interrupted time series implementation study protocol

O'Leary, Shaun, Heine, Janelle, Warren, Jacelle, Smyth, Tanya, Ballard, Emma, Mitchell, Gary, See, William, Barlas, Panos, Machado, Gustavo C, Cottrell, Michelle, Comans, Tracy and Foster, Nadine E (2024). Reinforcing informed medication prescription for low back pain in the emergency department (RIME): a controlled interrupted time series implementation study protocol. BMJ Open, 14 (3) e082668, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082668

Reinforcing informed medication prescription for low back pain in the emergency department (RIME): a controlled interrupted time series implementation study protocol

2023

Journal Article

Revised service metrics partially explain variation in outcomes across facilities in a state‐wide advanced practice public musculoskeletal service

Raymer, Maree, Window, Peter, Cottrell, Michelle, Comans, Tracy and O'Leary, Shaun (2023). Revised service metrics partially explain variation in outcomes across facilities in a state‐wide advanced practice public musculoskeletal service. Musculoskeletal Care, 21 (2), 562-570. doi: 10.1002/msc.1717

Revised service metrics partially explain variation in outcomes across facilities in a state‐wide advanced practice public musculoskeletal service

2023

Journal Article

Exploring the barriers and enablers to high quality clinical placements in physiotherapy at a metropolitan teaching hospital using an implementation science approach

Hargreaves, Joanna, Leslie, Simone, Cottrell, Michelle, Snoswell, Ashlee, O'Leary, Shaun and Window, Peter (2023). Exploring the barriers and enablers to high quality clinical placements in physiotherapy at a metropolitan teaching hospital using an implementation science approach. Australian Journal of Clinical Education, 12 (1), 23-40. doi: 10.53300/001c.75204

Exploring the barriers and enablers to high quality clinical placements in physiotherapy at a metropolitan teaching hospital using an implementation science approach

2023

Journal Article

Facilitators and barriers to implementing electronic patient-reported outcome and experience measures in a health care setting: a systematic review

Glenwright, Ben G., Simmich, Joshua, Cottrell, Michelle, O'Leary, Shaun P., Sullivan, Clair, Pole, Jason D. and Russell, Trevor (2023). Facilitators and barriers to implementing electronic patient-reported outcome and experience measures in a health care setting: a systematic review. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes, 7 (1) 13, 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s41687-023-00554-2

Facilitators and barriers to implementing electronic patient-reported outcome and experience measures in a health care setting: a systematic review

2023

Journal Article

Clinically relevant decreases in neck/shoulder pain among office workers are associated with strength training adherence and exercise compliance: explorative analyses from a randomized controlled trial

Dalager, Tina, Welch, Alyssa, O’Leary, Shaun Patrick, Johnston, Venerina and Sjøgaard, Gisela (2023). Clinically relevant decreases in neck/shoulder pain among office workers are associated with strength training adherence and exercise compliance: explorative analyses from a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 103 (2) pzac166. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac166

Clinically relevant decreases in neck/shoulder pain among office workers are associated with strength training adherence and exercise compliance: explorative analyses from a randomized controlled trial

2022

Journal Article

Evaluation of an exercise and ergonomics intervention for the prevention of neck pain in office workers: exploratory analysis of a cluster randomised trial

Johnston, Venerina, Jackson, Katherine, Welch, Alyssa, Sjøgaard, Gisela, Comans, Tracy Ann, Straker, Leon, Melloh, Markus, Gane, Elise, Bowe, Steve and O'Leary, Shaun (2022). Evaluation of an exercise and ergonomics intervention for the prevention of neck pain in office workers: exploratory analysis of a cluster randomised trial. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 79 (11) 108275, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108275

Evaluation of an exercise and ergonomics intervention for the prevention of neck pain in office workers: exploratory analysis of a cluster randomised trial

2022

Journal Article

The impact of exercise intended for fitness or sport on the prevalence of non‐specific neck pain in adults: a systematic review

Ireland, Josh, Window, Peter and O’Leary, Shaun P. (2022). The impact of exercise intended for fitness or sport on the prevalence of non‐specific neck pain in adults: a systematic review. Musculoskeletal Care, 20 (2), 229-244. doi: 10.1002/msc.1592

The impact of exercise intended for fitness or sport on the prevalence of non‐specific neck pain in adults: a systematic review

2022

Journal Article

Further exploring the relationship between pressure pain thresholds and function in knee osteoarthritis

Jaber, Khalid, McAuliffe, Michael, Pedler, Ashley, Sterling, Michele and O'Leary, Shaun (2022). Further exploring the relationship between pressure pain thresholds and function in knee osteoarthritis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 59 102542, 102542. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102542

Further exploring the relationship between pressure pain thresholds and function in knee osteoarthritis

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
  • 2023 - 2028
    The clinical and cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with persistent, severe low back pain: FusiOn veRsus bEst coNServative Care (the FORENSIC trial)
    NHMRC-National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    A Holistic Workability Tool for Mature Workers (ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research grant)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Neck rehabilitation after neck dissection for head and neck cancer: a pilot intervention study
    The Australian & New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society Incorporated
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Implementation of GLA:D in Queensland public health services: towards a standardised non-surgical management approach for hip and knee osteoarthritis
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Joint Research Fellowship in Physiotherapy - Dr Shaun O'Leary
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    A workplace-based exercise intervention to prevent and reduce the economic and personal burden of non-specific neck pain in the office personnel
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Gait analysis for clinical research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    NHMRC Training Fellowship (Aust. Based Health Professional Research): The classification of motor function impairment in chronic neck pain
    NHMRC Training (Postdoctoral) Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Does fatigue of the shoulder girdle contribute to neck pain disorders?
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2008
    State of the art wireless electromyography system for clinical research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    An investigation of the differential control of the cervical extensor muscles during active and automatic cervical extension tasks
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Further Development of Clinical Method to Measure and Rehabilitate Cervical Muscle Performance
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Preliminary Investigation of the Analgesic Responses of Low Load Isolated Activation of the Deep Neck Flexor and Lower Trapezius Muscles in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable career pathways for clinician-scientists in Australian public health

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adrienne Young, Professor Di Eley

  • Master Philosophy

    Disinvestment of low value care (supervised) and the implementation of high value care (unsupervised) in early physiotherapy rehabilitation post primary Total hip arthroplasty surgery: Utilising the Theoretical Domains Framework and RE-AIM framework

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Trevor Russell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Exploring the attributes of the contemporary Clinical Educator - future proofing clinical education in Queensland Health Physiotherapy

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Deanne Gannaway

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Implementation of a self-directed model of care for physiotherapy rehabilitation post primary total hip replacement

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Trevor Russell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Sustainable career pathways for clinician-scientists in Australian public health

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Adrienne Young, Professor Di Eley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Early biopsychosocial intervention for people experiencing traumatic injuries

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield, Professor Michele Sterling

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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