GSH appoints new Physiotherapy Discipline Head

Fully embodying the Graduate School of Health’s focus on multidisciplinary patient-centred care, there is really no surprise that Professor Arianne Verhagen was whisked from The Netherlands by the School to head up the ever-expanding Physiotherapy Discipline.

“My research focuses on musculoskeletal disorders and I firmly believe our main challenge, and opportunity, lies in increasing patient involvement in scientific research, with particular regards to diagnostics,” she explains.

“I’m concerned that too much research focuses on developing new treatments – which is seen by many researchers as a more ‘sexy’ topic. What I think we should be asking is: Do we diagnose properly? Do we have the proper patients in our trials? Are we giving the right treatment to the right people?”

I like that GSH is small and relatively new. It makes it future-facing and nimble. It means we can be on the cusp of new developments quickly. 

Verhagen says her interest in the patient’s perspective is all about producing more patient-centred outcomes. “We need to involve patients in setting the research agenda, designing the studies and measuring what they actually want measured. Most rheumatology patients, for example, complain about fatigue and sleep problems, but these are rarely measured in studies.”

The experience of many people with a musculoskeletal problem is that it severely impacts their quality of life says Verhagen and there is the added frustration of no end point in sight. “In my clinical experience I have seen how demoralising it is for patients to suffer from a terrible backache or headache that cannot be solved or that nobody can help them manage. I think that’s what motivates me. I want to help solve this major problem.”

UTS appealed to Verhagen because of its location in the centre of one of the world’s finest cities, but also because of the synergies between what she was looking to achieve and what the School wishes to achieve in the future.

“I like that GSH is small and relatively new. It makes it future-facing and nimble. It means we can be on the cusp of new developments quickly. I want to build a world-renowned research team and find it really exciting to be part of something in its infancy that is so directly aligned with my research aims,” she says.

Although patient-centred care is top of mind, Verhagen also has a keen eye on the public purse. She explains that according the Global Burden of Disease Study, musculoskeletal disorders are in the top 10 health problems worldwide. The study explores the societal costs of disability and how it impacts people’s ability to work, lead a happy life and participate in society. 

My research is not just about improving the quality of life of people affected, but it could also save society a lot of money.

“Unfortunately, musculoskeletal disorders affect a lot of people. It’s not as severe as cardiovascular problems, stroke or cancer, but in terms of sick leave and the impact on health systems – there’s a lot of money involved,” she continues.

“It’s a major burden on society and we need a lot more research and clarity on what works, what doesn’t work, what kind of people are we dealing with and who do we treat with what. My research is not just about improving the quality of life of people affected, but it could also save society a lot of money.”

Learn more about GSH's Master of Physiotherapy course.