qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work
contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript
position: Senior Social Worker
Bachelor of Social Work Rural Generalist Social Worker.
qualifications: Masters of Musculoskeletal and Sport Physiotherapy
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript
position: Senior Physiotherapist
Darren has been a senior clinician, team leader and researcher at the Gold Coast Persistent Pain Centre since 2011. He is a Australian Physiotherapy Association titled Pain Physiotherapist. Along with pain neuroscience and its clinical applications he has a keen interest in innovative health management solutions using technology.
qualifications: PhD
contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data, Critical revision
position: Professor
Professor Ward is the Professor of the Centre for Functioning and Health Research (CFAHR) in Queensland Health, and Professor in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. As a leading international researcher with over 250 publications, her primary interest is in improving swallowing and voice/communication outcomes for patients undergoing Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) management. In the past two decades, Prof Ward has been part of national/international multidisciplinary teams that have achieved many enhancements in clinical through: improved understanding of the side effects of HNC treatment; implementing a range of telepractice models to enhance patient services and support; revealing greater insights into patient and carer survivorship needs, and; enhanced rehabilitation options for patients with dysphagia.
Access to rehabilitation in rural South Africa during COVID-19
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AI scribes in rural and remote primary care
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2025 National Nursing Forum, 23–25 July 2025, Canberra, Australia
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16th National Allied Health Conference: Empowering lives, shaping healthcare, 11–14 August 2025, Adelaide, Australia
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2025 Gayaa Dhuwi Conference, 28–29 August 2025, Garramilla (Darwin), Australia
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National Tribal Health Conference, 7–12 September 2025, Chandler, AZ, USA
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2025 National First Nations Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Conference, 15–17 September 2025, Gold Coast, Australia
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Rural Health Conference 2025 (PACASA, RuDASA, RuNurSA, RuReSA), 16–18 September 2025, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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WONCA World Conference 2025: New Vision for Primary Health Care and Sustainable Development, 17–21 September 2025, Lisbon, Portugal
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NRHA 23rd Rural Health Clinic Conference, 23–24 September 2025, Kansas, MO, USA
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10th Rural & Remote Health Scientific Symposium, 8 & 9 October 2025, Alice Springs, NT, Australia
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Indigenous Wellbeing Conference 2025, 20–21 October 2025, Meanjin (Brisbane), Australia
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2025 Health Leadership Congress, 22–24 October 2025, Darwin, Australia
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Rural Medicine Australia Conference (RMA25), 22–25 October 2025, Boorloo (Perth), Australia
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Rural Mental Health Conference 2025 (RMHC25), 5–7 November 2025, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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SARGA 2026, Rural Generalist Anaesthetist Conference, 12–14 February 2026, Barossa Valley, South Australia
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21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference, 10–13 April 2026, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
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33rd Annual Rural and Remote Medicine Conference, 16–18 April 2026, Quebec City, Canada
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4th EURACT Medical Education Conference, 23–25 April 2026, Iasi, Romania
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11th Health Promotion Conference, 10–12 June 2026, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Harstad, Norway
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9th WONCA Africa Region Conference 2026, 10 & 11 September 2026, Gaborone, Botswana
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18th National Rural Health Conference, 14–17 September 2026, Adelaide, SA, Australia
World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference 2026, 17–19 September 2026, Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), New Zealand
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