Amy Combers

Physiotherapy4328426

Amy Combers

B.Sc.Kin., M.Physio

Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Port Macquarie
Building 801

Amy is an experienced clinician specialising in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and is passionate about proving excellent care for patients in the ICU. Amy’s professional background spans diverse environments, from private practices to hospitals across NSW, QLD, and Africa. She earned her Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney in 2009, following her Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Colorado in 2005.

As a lecturer at CSU, Amy strives to inspire students to develop their skills in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, empowering them to deliver exceptional patient care. She teaches subjects within acute and chronic physiotherapy across the second and third years of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program. With 9 years of prior teaching experience at universities in Australia and Africa, Amy enriches her role with diverse perspectives.

Amy Combers is an early career researcher with research interests spanning cardiorespiratory physiotherapy and health professions education. Her research is driven by a passion for improving patient care through evidence-based clinical practice while enhancing the education and preparation of future physiotherapists.

Amy is currently undertaking a Master of Philosophy at the University of Sydney, exploring innovative approaches to teaching and learning within physiotherapy education. Her current research focuses on the use of immersive technologies to support the teaching of cardiorespiratory pathophysiology and the development of physiotherapy students’ clinical reasoning skills. This work includes a scoping review investigating the use of immersive technologies in health education and a qualitative study exploring physiotherapy students’ perspectives of learning complex cardiorespiratory concepts.

Amy’s clinical research has focused on cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in the acute care setting, including investigating the safety and clinical considerations associated with mobilising critically ill patients receiving vasoactive medications. She is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and education, with the aim of improving both physiotherapy graduate capability and patient outcomes.

Amy is also involved in physiotherapy education research and supervision of student research projects, supporting the development of future researchers and evidence-informed clinical practitioners.

Amy is an active member of the APA Educators group, NSW chapter. She also mentors recent physiotherapy graduates through the APA and North & West Remote Health.