Professor Felicity Blackstock

Professor Felicity Blackstock

Professor in Physiotherapy,
Dean's Unit - School of Science and Health

Adjunct Professor,
Dean's Unit - School of Science and Health

Adjunct Professor- School of Health Sciences,
Dean's Unit, School of Health Sciences

Biography

Dr Felicity Blackstock has an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy, and has been involved in clinical practice, research and teaching since its completion in 2001.  Her expertise area of physiotherapy practice is cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, and she has a particular interest in patient education, completing her PhD examining the role of education in pulmonary rehabilitation.  While at La Trobe University, Felicity was the Entry-level Course Coordinator and Head of Department of Physiotherapy, leading the discipline since late 2013.  In addition to her clinical research and practice, Felicity also has a passion for the scholarship of teaching and learning, in particular using simulation based education pedagogy.  She was awarded an Australian OLT citation in 2015 for pioneering simulation education design in physiotherapy.  Felicity’s research interests are innovation in tertiary education to improve student learning experience, motivational interviewing and patient education for behaviour change in chronic disease, and physiotherapy management of cardiorespiratory dysfunction.  

This information has been contributed by Professor Blackstock.

Qualifications

  • Phd La Trobe University
  • BPhysio(Hons) La Trobe University

Professional Memberships

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association (1999 - 2010)
  • Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (2011 - 2016)
  • American Thoracic Society (2015 - 2016)
  • Society for Simulation in Healthcare (2006 - 2014)

Awards

  • Australian Award for University Teaching - Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning 2015-09-22
  • Research Award, Society for Simulation in Healthcare 2012-01-18
  • La Trobe University Citation for Excellence in Teaching 2013-11-20
  • La Trobe University Citation for Excellence in Teaching 2014-11-12
  • Elizabeth Ellis Young Investigator Award, Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Australia 2011-10-18
  • Education and Leadership Research Award, Australian Physiotherapy Association 2011-10-19
  • Anne Woolcock Young Investigator Award Finalist, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2011-04-20
  • Physiotherapy Award, Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 2011-04-20

Interests

  • Patient education and health behaviour change, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, adult learning, simulation based education

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

  • Dean's Unit - School of Science and Health
  • Dean's Unit - School of Science and Health
  • Dean's Unit, School of Health Sciences

Contact

Email: F.Blackstock@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4620 3487
Mobile: 0478626203
Location: 24.2.116
CampbelltownCampbelltown

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

  • 400982 Core Competencies in Physiotherapy Practice, 2016
  • 401049 Complex Cases and Professional Issues, 2016
  • 401054 Clinical Education E (Advanced Care), 2016

Publications

Chapters in Books

  • Blackstock, F. and Pritchard, S. (2015), 'Skills development in person-centred physiotherapy', Simulated Patient Methodology: Theory, Evidence and Practice, Wiley-Blackwell 9781118761007.

Journal Articles

  • Tang, C., Smith, S., Lim, D., Mansour, R., Alduleimi, H. and Blackstock, F. (2023), 'Developing and evaluating the living better @home with COVID-19 model : a co-designed home-based management model for people from Arabic-speaking communities', American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol 207 .
  • Cavaleri, R., Withington, A., Chalmers, J. and Blackstock, F. (2023), '[In Press] The influence of stress on student performance during simulation-based learning : a pilot randomized trial', ATS Scholar, .
  • Judd, B., Brentnall, J., Newton Scanlan, J., Thomson, K., Blackstock, F., Mandrusiak, A., Chipchase, L., Phillips, A. and McAllister, S. (2023), 'Evaluating allied health students' readiness for placement learning', BMC Medical Education, vol 23, no 1 .
  • Flew, B., Judd, B., Lange, B., Lee, D., Blackstock, F., Tai, J., Tognon, K. and Chipchase, L. (2023), 'Understanding underperformance in a high-stakes clinical-based simulation assessment in physiotherapy: a descriptive analysis', BMC Medical Education, vol 23, no 1 .
  • Te, M., Blackstock, F., Liamputtong, P. and Chipchase, L. (2022), 'New graduate physiotherapists' perceptions and experiences working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia : a qualitative study', Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, vol 38, no 6 , pp 782 - 793.
  • Moss, P., Barnett-Harris, A., Lee, D., Gupta, K., Pritchard, S., Sievers, N., Te, M. and Blackstock, F. (2022), 'Simulation-based clinical assessment identifies threshold competence to practise physiotherapy in Australia : a crossover trial', Advances in Simulation, vol 7, no 1 .
  • Leahy, E., Chipchase, L. and Blackstock, F. (2022), 'Does online professional development for physical therapists enhance clinical practice and patient outcomes? : protocol for a mixed methods, randomized controlled trial', Physical Therapy, vol 102, no 11 .
  • Tang, C., Lavercombe, M., Southcott, A., Taylor, N. and Blackstock, F. (2022), 'Access to pulmonary rehabilitation for people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities : a cohort study', Health and Social Care in the Community, vol 30, no 6 , pp 4133 - 4143.
  • Borovskis, J., Cavaleri, R., Blackstock, F. and Summers, S. (2021), 'Transcranial direct current stimulation accelerates the onset of exercise-induced hypoalgesia : a randomized controlled study', Journal of Pain, vol 22, no 3 , pp 263 - 274.
  • Blackstock, F. and Roberts, N. (2021), 'Using telemedicine to provide education for the symptomatic patient with chronic respiratory disease', Life, vol 11, no 12 .
  • Pritchard, S., Dalwood, N., Keating, J., Nestel, D., Te, M. and Blackstock, F. (2021), ''It's the ultimate observer role..you're feeling and seeing what's happening to you' : students' experiences of peer simulation', BMJ Simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning, vol 7, no 5 , pp 329 - 337.
  • Pritchard, S., Denning, T., Keating, J., Blackstock, F. and Nestel, D. (2020), '"It's not an acting job ... don't underestimate what a simulated patient does" : a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of simulated patients in health professions education', Simulation in Healthcare, vol 15, no 1 , pp 21 - 29.
  • Dalwood, N., Bowles, K., Williams, C., Morgan, P., Pritchard, S. and Blackstock, F. (2020), 'Students as patients : a systematic review of peer simulation in health care professional education', Medical Education, vol 54, no 5 , pp 387 - 399.
  • Leahy, E., Chipchase, L., Calo, M. and Blackstock, F. (2020), 'Which learning activities enhance physical therapist practice? Part 2: Systematic review of qualitative studies and thematic synthesis', Physical Therapy, vol 100, no 9 , pp 1484 - 1501.
  • Leahy, E., Chipchase, L., Calo, M. and Blackstock, F. (2020), 'Which learning activities enhance physical therapist practice? Part 1: Systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative studies', Physical Therapy, vol 100, no 9 , pp 1469 - 1483.
  • Pritchard, S., Keating, J., Nestel, D. and Blackstock, F. (2020), 'Physiotherapy students can be educated to portray realistic patient roles in simulation : a pragmatic observational study', BMC Medical Education, vol 20 .
  • Tang, C., Lavercombe, M., Southcott, A., Taylor, N. and Blackstock, F. (2020), 'Being from a culturally and linguistically diverse community is a factor in awareness of pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease', American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, vol 201 .
  • Liang, Z., Blackstock, F., Howard, P., Liu, C., Leggat, G., Ma, H., Zhang, Z. and Bartram, T. (2020), 'Managers in the publicly funded health services in China : characteristics and responsibilities', BMC Health Services Research, vol 20, no Suppl. 1 .
  • Liang, Z., Blackstock, F., Howard, P., Leggat, G., Hughes, A., Maddern, J., Briggs, D., Isouard, G., North, N. and Leggat, S. (2020), 'A health management competency framework for Australia', Australian Health Review, vol 44, no 6 , pp 958 - 964.
  • Smith, S., Chaudhary, K. and Blackstock, F. (2019), 'Concordant evidence-based interventions in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines', Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, vol 39, no 1 , pp 9 - 18.
  • Tang, C., Blackstock, F., O'Halloran, P., Aldcroft, S. and Taylor, N. (2019), 'A standard form of cardiac rehabilitation can improve self-reported positive behavior changes in the short- to medium-term', Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, vol 39, no 3 , pp 175 - 180.
  • Te, M., Blackstock, F., Fryer, C., Gardner, P., Geary, L., Kuys, S., McPherson, K., Nahon, I., Tang, C., Taylor, L., Van Kessel, G., van der Zwan, K. and Chipchase, L. (2019), 'Predictors of self-perceived cultural responsiveness in entry-level physiotherapy students in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand', BMC Medical Education, vol 19, no 1 .
  • Lareau, S. and Blackstock, F. (2019), 'Functional status measures for the COPD patient : a practical categorization', Chronic Respiratory Disease, vol 16 .
  • Calo, M., Peiris, C., Chipchase, L., Blackstock, F. and Judd, B. (2019), 'Grit, resilience and mindset in health students', Clinical Teacher, vol 16, no 4 , pp 317 - 322.
  • Te, M., Blackstock, F. and Chipchase, L. (2019), 'Fostering cultural responsiveness in physiotherapy : curricula survey of Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand physiotherapy programs', BMC Medical Education, vol 19 .
  • Blackstock, F. and Evans, R. (2019), 'Rehabilitation in lung diseases : 'education' component of pulmonary rehabilitation', Respirology, vol 24, no 9 , pp 863 - 870.
  • Summers, S., Blackstock, F., Borovskis, J. and Cavaleri, R. (2019), 'Can non-invasive brain stimulation augment the hypoalgesic effects of exercise?', Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, vol 22, no Suppl. 2 , pp 49 - 49.
  • Tang, Y., Southcott, A., Barker, K., Pazsa, F., Skinner, E. and Blackstock, F. (2018), 'Commencement of pulmonary rehabilitation during hospital admission increases rates of attendance among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) : randomised controlled trial', Respirology, vol 23, no Suppl. 1 , pp 122 - 122.
  • Blackstock, F., Webster, K., McDonald, C. and Hill, C. (2018), 'Self-efficacy predicts success in an exercise training-only model of pulmonary rehabilitation for people with COPD', Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, vol 38, no 5 , pp 333 - 341.
  • Chipchase, L., Blackstock, F., Patman, S. and Barnett-Harris, A. (2018), 'Keep the momentum going : pushing the boundaries of clinical learning and assessment', Journal of Physiotherapy, vol 64, no 4 , pp 205 - 207.
  • Donner, C., Raskin, J., ZuWallack, R., Nici, L., Ambrosino, N., Balbi, B., Blackstock, F., Casaburi, R., Dreher, M., Effing, T., Goldstein, R., Krishnan, J., Lareau, S., Make, B., Maltais, F., Meek, P., Morgan, M., Pepin, J., Rabbito, C., Rochester, C., Silverman, A., Singh, S., Spruit, M., Vitacca, M. and Williams, L. (2018), 'Incorporating telemedicine into the integrated care of the COPD patient : a summary of an interdisciplinary workshop held in Stresa, Italy, 7-8 September 2017', Respiratory Medicine, vol 143 , pp 91 - 102.
  • Liang, Z., Blackstock, F., Howard, P., Briggs, D., Leggat, S., Wollersheim, D., Edvardsson, D. and Rahman, A. (2018), 'An evidence-based approach to understanding the competency development needs of the health service management workforce in Australia', BMC Health Services Research, vol 18 .
  • Blackstock, F., Lareau, S., Nici, L., ZuWallack, R., Bourbeau, J., Buckley, M., Durning, S., Effing, T., Egbert, E., Goldstein, R., Kelly, W., Lee, A., Meek, P., Singh, S., American Thoracic Society, .., Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, .., Canadian Thoracic Society, .. and British Thoracic Society, .. (2018), 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease education in pulmonary rehabilitation', Annals of the American Thoracic Society, vol 15, no 7 , pp 769 - 784.
  • Chipchase, L., Davidson, M., Blackstock, F., Bye, R., Clothier, P., Klupp, N., Nickson, W., Turner, D. and Williams, M. (2017), 'Conceptualising and measuring student disengagement in higher education : a synthesis of the literature', International Journal of Higher Education, vol 6, no 2 , pp 31 - 42.
  • Leahy, E., Chipchase, L. and Blackstock, F. (2017), 'Which learning activities enhance physiotherapy practice? : a systematic review protocol of quantitative and qualitative studies', Systematic Reviews, vol 6, no 1 .
  • Pritchard, S., Blackstock, F., Keating, J. and Nestel, D. (2017), 'The pillars of well-constructed simulated patient programs : a qualitative study with experienced educators', Medical Teacher, vol 39, no 11 , pp 1159 - 1167.
  • Barradell, S., Blackstock, F., Tang, Y. and Leo, J. (2017), '"Being absorbed in that environment... it's just so beneficial" : the experiences of physiotherapy students in a situated learning pilot study', International Journal of Practice-based Learning in Health and Social Care, vol 5, no 1 , pp 12 - 23.
  • O'Halloran, P., Shields, N., Blackstock, F., Wintle, E. and Taylor, N. (2016), 'Motivational interviewing increases physical activity and self-efficacy in people living in the community after hip fracture : a randomized controlled trial', Clinical Rehabilitation, vol 30, no 11 , pp 1108 - 1119.
  • Blackstock, F., ZuWallack, R., Nici, L. and Lareau, S. (2016), 'Why don't our patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease listen to us? : the enigma of nonadherence', Annals of the American Thoracic Society, vol 13, no 3 , pp 317 - 323.
  • Wright, A., Moss, P., Watson, K., Rue, S., Jull, G., Mandrusiak, A., Reubenson, A., Chipchase, L., Blackstock, F. and et al, .. (2015), 'A profession-wide collaboration to embed role-play simulation into Australian entry-level physiotherapy clinical training', Physiotherapy, vol 101, no suppl. 1 , pp 1047 - 1047.
  • Blackstock, F., Webster, K., McDonald, C. and Hill, C. (2014), 'Comparable improvements achieved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through pulmonary rehabilitation with and without a structured educational intervention : a randomized controlled trial', Respirology, vol 19, no 2 , pp 193 - 202.
  • O'Halloran, P., Blackstock, F., Shields, N., Holland, A., Iles, R., Kingsley, M., Bernhardt, J., Lannin, N., Morris, M. and Taylor, N. (2014), 'Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in people with chronic health conditions : a systematic review and meta-analysis', Clinical Rehabilitation, vol 28, no 12 , pp 1159 - 1171.
  • Tang, Y., Taylor, N., McDonald, C. and Blackstock, F. (2014), 'Level of adherence to the GOLD strategy document for management of patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD', Respirology, vol 19, no 8 , pp 1191 - 1197.
  • Blackstock, F., Watson, K., Morris, N., Jones, A., Wright, A., McMeeken, J., Rivett, D., O'Connor, V., Peterson, R., Haines, T., Watson, G. and Jull, G. (2013), 'Simulation can contribute a part of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy clinical education : two randomized trials', Simulation in Healthcare, vol 8, no 1 , pp 32 - 42.
  • Tang, Y., Taylor, N. and Blackstock, F. (2013), 'Patients admitted with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had positive experiences exercising from the beginning of their hospital stay : a qualitative analysis', Chronic Respiratory Disease, vol 10, no 4 , pp 197 - 205.
  • Watson, K., Wright, A., Morris, N., McMeeken, J., Rivett, D., Blackstock, F., Jones, A., Haines, T., O'Connor, V., Watson, G., Peterson, R. and Jull, G. (2012), 'Can simulation replace part of clinical time? : two parallel randomised controlled trials', Medical Education, vol 46, no 7 , pp 657 - 667.
  • Tang, Y., Blackstock, F., Clarence, M. and Taylor, N. (2012), 'Early rehabilitation exercise program for inpatients during an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a randomized controlled trial', Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, vol 32, no 3 , pp 163 - 169.
  • Aldcroft, S., Taylor, N., Blackstock, F. and O'Halloran, P. (2011), 'Psychoeducational rehabilitation for health behavior change in coronary artery disease : a systematic review of controlled trials', Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, vol 31, no 5 , pp 273 - 281.
  • Jull, G., Watson, K., Blackstock, F., Morris, N., Wright, A., Rivett, D., McMeeken, J., Jones, A., Haines, T., O'Connor, V. and Peterson, R. (2011), 'Can simulated learning environments successfully augment traditional clinical immersion in the education of physiotherapy students? : a randomised controlled trial', Physiotherapy, vol 97, no suppl. 1 , pp 572 - 573.
  • Tang, Y., Taylor, N. and Blackstock, F. (2010), 'Chest physiotherapy for patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) : a systematic review', Physiotherapy, vol 96, no 1 , pp 1 - 13.

Conference Papers

  • Withington, A., Chalmers, J., Cavaleri, R. and Blackstock, F. (2019), 'Learning and anxiety in simulation-based education, is this method truly a "safe learning environment"? : a pilot randomized trial', World Confederation for Physical Therapy. International Congress, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Borovskis, J., Cavaleri, R., Blackstock, F. and Summers, S. (2019), 'Using non-invasive brain stimulation to boost the hypoalgesic effects of exercise', Australian Physiotherapy Association. International Congress, Adelaide, S.A..
  • Pritchard, S., Blackstock, F., Nestel, D. and Keating, J. (2016), 'Simulated patients in physical therapy education : systematic review and meta-analysis', International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, San Diego, Calif..
  • Barradell, S., Mastwyk, S., McConville, J., Tang, Y., Leo, J. and Blackstock, F. (2015), 'From clinical physiotherapist to classroom educator : a pilot project', Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference, Gold Coast, Qld..

Grants

Western Health Research Grant 2016: When is the optimal time to implement pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Building Healthy Communities (La Trobe University Research Focus Area Grant) 2015: "Healthcare manager competencies in hospital and community health services in Australia"

Health Workforce Australia: 2013-2014 ($6.27 million).  Embedding Simulation in Physiotherapy Education.

La Trobe University Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Re-Entry Initiative 2014

School of Allied Health Research Grant (La Trobe University) 2014 Pilot trial of dispersed clinical school model of education for entry-level physiotherapy training.

Physical Activity and Rehabilitation Research Focus Group (La Trobe University) 2013 Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in people following fractured neck of femur

Physical Activity and Rehabilitation Research Focus Group (La Trobe University) 2012 Motivational interviewing to increase physical activity in people with chronic health conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Health Workforce Australia: National Simulated Learning Project 2010

Chief Investigator, ARC Linkage Project 2008-2010: Innovations for clinical education of physiotherapy students

Nicole Turney Memorial Award (Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Australia, Australia Physiotherapy Association) recipient 2007: "Simulation for Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Education"

Ian Potter Foundation Travel Grant for Early Academics, January 2006: to investigate the potential applications of simulation to cardiorespiratory physiotherapy education – travel to USA, attendance at International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare 2006.

This information has been contributed by Professor Blackstock.

Previous Projects

Title: Does a simulated clinical assessment of Australian Physiotherapy Council international registration candidates predict performance in a standard 'real-life' clinical assessment in the same practice area?
Funder:
  • Australian Physiotherapy Council
Western Researchers: Felicity Blackstock
Years: 2017-07-01 - 2019-06-15
ID: P00024119
Title: An exploration study of the perception of pulmonary rehabilitation among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from the Vietnamese, Mandarin and Arab-speaking cultural groups.
Funder:
  • South West Sydney Research
Western Researchers: Clarice Tang and Felicity Blackstock
Years: 2019-07-01 - 2021-03-31
ID: P00025837
Title: Co-designing a culturally appropriate self-directed home-based management model with the Arabic-speaking community to improve health outcomes from COVID-19
Funder:
  • NSW Government - Multicultural NSW
Western Researchers: Clarice Tang, Sheree Smith, Felicity Blackstock and Bernadette Brady
Years: 2022-05-22 - 2022-08-30
ID: P00027514

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