A/Prof. Danielle Hitch1, Ms. Prue Deckert1, Mr. Sam Wills1, Dr. Rosalie Boyce
1Western Health, St. Albans, Australia, 2Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
Biography:
A/Prof Danielle Hitch is an experienced allied health clinician and researcher, with a strong track record in complex care needs, mental health, and knowledge translation. She has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years, and an educator and active researcher over 15 years. In her current joint role with Western Health, she leads research related to Long COVID, occupational therapy, health systems, consumer engagement and clinical education.
Abstract:
The first Australian National Allied Health Conference (NAHC) was held in Melbourne in 1992. Since then, the conference has grown and evolved along with the sector, capturing snapshots of education, practice and research over time. This presentation explores how the NAHC has evolved over the past 30 years, reflecting changes in education, practice, and research in the sector.
The presentation is based on a descriptive analysis combining sources from a personal archive and public conference records. Authors and affiliations will be mapped to identify key contributors to the conference, and hotspots of allied health excellence. Analysis of paper titles, keywords and MeSH terms provides the foundation for an exploration of themes, while the charting of research methods will describe practices in this field over time. Finally, the identification of presenting disciplines and/or professions will inform a discussion of the representativeness of conference content.
By reviewing trends in topics and presenters, the presentation will highlight and critique shifts in sector priorities, identify gaps in representation, and consider how the conference has shaped—and been shaped by—workforce, policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The presentation will also provide valuable insights into allied health responses to societal changes, workforce challenges, and increasing interdisciplinary collaboration. This critique offers insights into past patterns and future directions, ensuring the conference continues to reflect and support the evolving needs of allied health professionals.