Movers and Shakers in eLearning – Doa El Ansary
This month we caught up with Dr Doa El-Ansary from the Dept of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, to get her thoughts on winning the Pat Cosh Grant to fund the development of a new physiotherapy eLearning course.
This month we caught up with Dr Doa El-Ansary from the Dept of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, to get her thoughts on winning the Pat Cosh Grant to fund the development of a new physiotherapy eLearning course.
Tell us about your new project
What your driver was for applying for the Pat Cosh Trust Fund Grant?
Clinical ultrasound (US) is being adapted as mainstream practice within all areas of clinical practice across Physiotherapy and Medicine. This is due to the growing evidence base that supports US as a non-invasive, valid and reliable tool for the diagnosis of lung pathology; monitoring of bone healing and biofeedback for rehabilitation of muscle. However, there are currently NO formal training programs that specifically target advancing education of Physiotherapists and students in Victoria in clinical ultrasound with the aim of developing and progressing knowledge, skills and competencies that will impact on clinical decision making and practice.
Who will you be targeting with the eLearning physiotherapy course?
This project aims to target Physiotherapists and students currently studying Physiotherapy.
Why have you chosen eLearning as your preferred delivery method?
I elected to develop an eLearning program to provide high quality, large scale and low cost training to students and clinicians facilitating self-directed learning that is individually paced, responsive to learning needs, accessible and flexible.
What are your (vision?) goals for the eLearning physiotherapy course?
My vision is to develop an eLearning package that will directly improve student and physiotherapy clinician knowledge and skills in US imaging, analysis, interpretation and reporting that can be applied to facilitate accurate diagnosis, clinical decision making, rehabilitation and evaluation of practice within a myriad of clinical settings. Ultimately as it is online our team aims to make it accessible from anywhere in the world.
Advice for other researchers seeking grants in the ever-competitive area of grant-writing?
My advice is to be on the look out for opportunities for funding and to have the courage to apply for grants. Preparation includes forming a strong team; developing a feasible project with a sound rationale that captures your strengths; consulting prior successful applicants and key people.
Remember “You Have to be in it to win it” and humility, courage and feedback are your path to growth.
Tell us a bit about yourself
What do you like to do in your spare time?
My favourite way to rejuvenate is to exercise in water or to be out in the mountains with my family! I love the snow!
Music, company with friends and family over a meal is my love too.
Share with us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know
I value working with people who are diverse in their thinking and skills. I seek commonality in all people. I am passionate about equity and love engaging to develop and build ideas to results in a finished product!
I am connected to indigenous cultures as they see themselves as part of the land.