Paul Rothmore

Research Interests

Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Human Factors Physiotherapy Public Health

APrf Paul Rothmore

Associate Professor

School of Allied Health and Human Performance

College of Health

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Associate Professor Paul Rothmore is the Head of Physiotherapy and Deputy Head of School in the School of Allied Health Science and Practice.He is an experienced researcher and educator with a specific interest in the area of occupational health and injury prevention. He has more than 30 years' experience and has worked as an OHS Physiotherapist, OHS Manager and Academic.Paul is a Specialist Physiotherapist in Occupational Health (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists).He is a member of the ICOH Scientific Committees on Ageing & Work and Musculoskeletal Disorders and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Paul Rothmore is an experienced researcher and educator with a specific interest in the area of occupational health and injury prevention. He has more than 30 years' experience and has worked as an OHS Physiotherapist, OHS Manager and Academic.

Paul's research, which is industry-focused, uses a mixed-methods approach and is focused on improving the health and longevity of the workforce. His previous research has included the development of a behaviour change method to improve the implementation of ergonomics advice in workplaces, the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in the aged care sector and young worker education. His current focus is on injury prevention in the ageing workforce and the effects of climate change on outdoor workers.

 

Date Position Institution name
2020 - ongoing Associate Professor in Physiotherapy University of Adelaide
2009 - 2020 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2021 Award Executive Dean's Prize for Team Excellence University of Adelaide Australia -
2020 Invitation International Conference on Occupational Safety and Public Health Hasanuddin University Indonesia -
2018 Invitation Triennial World Congress on Occupational Health International Congress on Occupational Health Ireland -
2018 Invitation National Physiotherapy Study Day - Ireland Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists Ireland -
2015 Invitation Australian Physiotherapy Association National Conference Australian Physiotherapy Association Australia -
2014 Teaching Award Commendation for Excellence in Support of the Student Experience The University of Adelaide Australia $2000
2013 Teaching Award Executive Dean's Prize for Excellence in Teaching The University of Adelaide Australia $1000
2012 Teaching Award School of Population Health Postgraduate Teacher of the Year - Peer Nomination The University of Adelaide Australia -
2002 Invitation Gastroenterological Society of Australia National Conference Gastroenterolocial Society of Australia Australia -
2001 Invitation Medical Imaging Nurses Association State Conference Medical Imaging nursing Assocation Australia -

Date Institution name Country Title
2012 - 2017 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia PhD
2000 La Trobe University, Melbourne Australia Master of Ergonomics
1993 University of South Australia Australia Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) - Physiotherapy

Date Title Institution Country
Master of Ergonomics La Trobe University Australia
PhD The University of Adelaide Australia

Year Citation
2025 Fatima, S. H., Giles, L. C., Rothmore, P., Varghese, B. M., & Bi, P. (2025). Heatwaves and Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Risk Varied at Localised Spatial Scale: A National Study in Australia. Safety Science, 181, 106684-1-106684-10.
DOI
2025 Stanhope, J., Foley, K., Butler, M., Boddy, J., Clanchy, K., George, E., . . . Weinstein, P. (2025). Australian allied health professionals’ perspectives on current practice, benefits, challenges, and opportunities in nature-based approaches. Health and Place, 93(103430), 103430-1-103430-15.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Quattlaender, R. A., Rothmore, P., Hutchinson, M. R., & Lathlean, T. J. (2025). Effects of different movement velocities during resistance training on bone mineral density in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 136, 11 pages.
DOI
2024 Dickson, C., de Zoete, R. M. J., Berryman, C., Weinstein, P., Chen, K. K., & Rothmore, P. (2024). Patient-related barriers and enablers to the implementation of high-value physiotherapy for chronic pain: a systematic review. Pain Medicine, 25(2), 104-115.
DOI Scopus16 WoS16 Europe PMC11
2023 Rothmore, P., Hewitt, T., Dickson, C., & Nguyen, T. (2023). Manual handling amongst physiotherapists: Analysis of intra-shift variations in pain, fatigue and movement.. Work, 75(4), 1255-1264.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2023 Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., & Bi, P. (2023). Impacts of Hot Climate Conditions on Work Health and Safety in Australia: A Case Assessment of Policies in Practice in the Construction Industry. Safety Science, 165, 1-9.
DOI Scopus12 WoS6
2023 Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., & Bi, P. (2023). Intra-urban risk assessment of occupational injuries and illnesses associated with current and projected climate: Evidence from three largest Australian cities. Environmental Research, 228, 115855-1-115855-15.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC2
2022 Rothmore, P., & Williams, S. (2022). Maintaining work ability in outdoor workers - A long-term evaluation.. Applied ergonomics, 102, 1-8.
DOI Scopus1
2022 Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., & Bi, P. (2022). Outdoor ambient temperatures and occupational injuries and illnesses: are there risk differences in various regions within a city?. Science of the Total Environment, 826, 1-13.
DOI Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC3
2021 Fatima, S. H., Rothmore, P., Giles, L. C., Varghese, B. M., & Bi, P. (2021). Extreme heat and occupational injuries in different climate zones: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence. Environment International, 148, 106384-1-106384-22.
DOI Scopus114 WoS89 Europe PMC65
2021 Stanhope, J., Maric, F., Rothmore, P., & Weinstein, P. (2021). Physiotherapy and ecosystem services: improving the health of our patients, the population, and the environment. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice: an international journal of physical therapy, 39(2), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus24 WoS24 Europe PMC14
2019 Thamrin, Y., Pisaniello, D., Guerin, C., & Rothmore, P. (2019). Correlates of work-study conflict among international students in australia: A multivariate analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(15), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus12 WoS13 Europe PMC4
2019 Rothmore, P. R., & Gray, J. (2019). Using the Work Ability Index to identify workplace hazards. WORK, 62(2), 251-259.
DOI Scopus16 WoS14 Europe PMC13
2018 Elder, D., Hume, C., & Rothmore, P. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to the use of sit-stand desks. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 34(3), 283-299.
2018 Rothmore, P. (2018). How can we improve the translation of research evidence into practice?. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 34(1).
Scopus1
2018 Elder, D., Hume, C., & Rothmore, P. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to the use of sit-stand desks: A qualitative study. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 34(3).
2018 Thamrin, Y., Pisaniello, D., Guerin, C., & Rothmore, P. (2018). The emerging workforce of international university student workers: Injury experience in an australian university. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 9 pages.
DOI Scopus10 WoS10 Europe PMC5
2018 Rothmore, P., Saniotis, A., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). A multi-stakeholder perspective on the integration of safety in university nursing, education, and engineering curricula. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(7), 1-12.
DOI Scopus1
2017 Rothmore, P., Aylward, P., Gray, J., & Karnon, J. (2017). A long-term evaluation of the stage of change approach and compensable injury outcomes-a cluster-randomised trial. Ergonomics, 60(5), 628-635.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC6
2017 Rothmore, P., Aylward, P., Oakman, J., Tappin, D., Gray, J., & Karnon, J. (2017). The stage of change approach for implementing ergonomics advice – Translating research into practice. Applied Ergonomics, 59(Pt A), 225-233.
DOI Scopus19 WoS12 Europe PMC4
2016 Oakman, J., Rothmore, P., & Tappin, D. (2016). Intervention development to reduce musculoskeletal disorders: Is the process on target?. Applied Ergonomics, 56, 179-186.
DOI Scopus36 WoS27 Europe PMC10
2015 Rothmore, P., Aylward, P., & Karnon, J. (2015). The implementation of ergonomics advice and the stage of change approach. Applied Ergonomics: human factors in technology and society, 51, 370-376.
DOI Scopus39 WoS19 Europe PMC10
2015 Doda, D., Rothmore, P., Pisaniello, D., Briggs, N., Stewart, S., Mahmood, M., & Hiller, J. (2015). Relative benefit of a stage of change approach for the prevention of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort: a cluster randomised trial. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 72(11), 784-791.
DOI Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC8
2014 Stewart, S., Rothmore, P., Doda, D., Hiller, J., Mahmood, M., & Pisaniello, D. (2014). Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort and associated worker and organizational factors: a cross-sectional study. Work, 48(2), 261-271.
DOI Scopus24 WoS21 Europe PMC18
2014 Rothmore, P., Aylward, P., & Karnon, J. (2014). Ergonomics and musculoskeletal injury prevention interventions in healthcare: are they worth it?. Ergonomics Australia, 8(1), 1-5.
2013 Rothmore, P., Karnon, J., & Aylward, P. (2013). Implementation of interventions to prevent musculoskeletal injury at work - lost in translation?. Physical Therapy Reviews, 18(5), 344-349.
DOI Scopus9 WoS6
2012 Marsh, C., & Rothmore, P. (2012). Ageing workers in the healthcare environment: a review of available information to assist employers. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, 28(2), 93-100.
2012 Marsh, C., & Rothmore, P. (2012). The ageing workforce: Is this a HSE issue?. Journal of Health Safety and Environment, 28(2).
2002 Rothmore, P. (2002). Lead aprons, radiographers and discomfort. The Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 18(4), 357-365.
2002 Rothmore, P. (2002). Lead aprons, radiographers, and discomfort: A pilot study. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety Australia and New Zealand, 18(4), 357-366.
Scopus13

Year Citation
2015 Rothmore, P., & Boucaut, R. (2015). Occupational Health and Safety. In S. Patole (Ed.), Management and Leadership – A Guide for Clinical Professionals (1 ed., pp. 123-136). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI
2015 Rothmore, P., & Boucaut, R. (2015). Occupational health and safety. In S. Patole (Ed.), Source details - Title: Management and leadership: a guide for clinical professionals (pp. 123-136). Switzerland: Springer.
DOI

Year Citation
2014 Rothmore, P. R., Saniotis, A., & Pisaniello, D. (2014). A Toolkit for the Integration of WHS in University Curricula - Validation and Extension Research.
2013 Pisaniello, D., Rothmore, P., Stewart, S., Crea, J., Tkaczuk, M., Jankewicz, G., & Gaskin, S. E. (2013). Hazard Surveillance for the Primary Prevention of Occupational Asthma: A National Demonstration Project.
2011 Rothmore, P. R., Pisaniello, D., Stewart, S., Karnon, J., Boucaut, R., & Harrison, J. (2011). Improving Enterprise-Level Interventions Designed to Reduce Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace.
2011 Rothmore, P. R., Pisaniello, D., & Stewart, S. (2011). Development and Trial of a Toolkit for the Evaluation and Integration of OHS in University Curricula.

Year Citation
- Rothmore, P. (n.d.). Fatigue_Pain_Data.xlsx.
DOI

Year Citation
2024 Stanhope, J., Foley, K., Butler, M., Boddy, J., Clanchy, K., George, E., . . . Weinstein, P. (2024). “A variety of green spaces available to all”: knowledge of patient and community needs in natural spaces as understood by allied health professionals.
DOI
2024 Stanhope, J., Foley, K., Butler, M., Boddy, J., Clanchy, K., George, E., . . . Weinstein, P. (2024). Nature-based allied health: current practice, challenges and opportunities.
DOI

Competitive External Funding as Chief Investigator

Date Project Investigators Funding Body Amount
External Competitive Funding
2015-2017

 

Reducing MSD risk in the aged care sector using multi-factorial evidence-based interventions

 Rothmore P, Oakman J, Pisaniello D, Karnon J, Macdonald W SafeWork SA $113,740
2014-2015 Taking the next step: operationalising a behaviour-based approach for musculoskeletal injury interventions Rothmore P, Karnon J, Aylward P, Oakman J, Tappin D SafeWork SA $32,406
2013-14 A toolkit for the integration of WHS in University curricula – validation and extension research Rothmore P, Pisaniello D SafeWork SA $68,862
2010-2011 Development and trial of a toolkit for the evaluation and integration of OHS in University curricula Rothmore P, Pisaniello D, Stewart S SafeWork SA $27,281
2010-2011 Hazard surveillance for the primary prevention of occupational asthma: a national demonstration project Pisaniello D, Rothmore P, Stewart S, Crea J, Thaczuk M, Jankewicz G, Gaskin S SafeWork SA $157,479
2009-2011 Improving enterprise-level interventions designed to reduce musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace Pisanello D, Rothmore P, Stewart S, Karnon J, Boucaut R, Harrison J SafeWork SA $143,842
2008-2009 Fatigue induced loading on the lumbar spine: an investigation on intra-shift variation in manual handling performance amongst physiotherapists Rothmore P, Hewitt A, Nguyen T, Gunn S, Crotty M SafeWork SA $67,604
2002 An examination of intra-shift factors contributing to manual handling injuries amongst nurses Rothmore P, Elix G, Ben-Tovim D, Messenger H, Pearce S, Hakendorf P WorkCover SA $20,000

 

Commissioned Research Funding
2021-2022

 

The management and productivity of workers during heatwaves

 Rothmore P Adelaide City Council $100,000
2019-2020 Identification and management of musculoskeletal injury risk in the Adelaide City Council - Stage 3 Rothmore P Adelaide City Council $24,194
2017-2018 Identification and management of musculoskeletal injury risk in the Adelaide City Council - Stage 2 Rothmore P Adelaide City Council $18,000
2016-2017 Identification and management of musculoskeletal injury risk in the Adelaide City Council - Stage 1 Rothmore P Adelaide City Council $17,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Program Director Roles

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Previous Course Coordination Roles

Reflect, Research, Resolve - Shared coordination with School of Medicine. Level 2 (core) Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences Program

Diseases of Occupation - Master of Public Health elective

Occupational Hygiene and Ergonomics - Master of Public Health elective

Toxicology and Safety Management Systems - Master of Public Health elective

Developing a Research Proposal - Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences/Master of Public Health program

International Public Health Experience (China Study Tour) - Level III public health (elective), Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences

Public Health Internship - Level III (elective) Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences

Practical Occupational Health - Master of Public Health/Master of Occupational Health & Safety Management elective

Advanced Ergonomics - Master of Public Health/Master of Occupational Health & Safety Management elective

Previous Program Director Roles

Master of Public Health

Master of Occupational Health and Safety Management

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor How can the integration of technologies in the physiotherapy curriculum bridge the gap between theoretical training and real-world application? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Amanda Maddern
2025 Co-Supervisor How can the integration of technologies in the physiotherapy curriculum bridge the gap between theoretical training and real-world application? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Amanda Maddern
2024 Co-Supervisor Strength training interventions for people at risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Riccarda Albana Quattlaender
2024 Co-Supervisor Explore the impact of life-course events and admission-related trauma on the experience of breathlessness and clinical outcomes for ICU patients Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Leigh Rushworth
2024 Co-Supervisor The contemporary occupational health-related problems amongst podiatry professionals Master of Clinical Science Master Part Time Mr Wei Dai
2024 Co-Supervisor The contemporary occupational health-related problems amongst podiatry professionals - Master Full Time Mr Wei Dai
2024 Co-Supervisor Explore the impact of life-course events and admission-related trauma on the experience of breathlessness and clinical outcomes for ICU patients Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Leigh Rushworth
2024 Co-Supervisor Strength training interventions for people at risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Riccarda Albana Quattlaender
2021 Principal Supervisor Advancing physiotherapy management of chronic pain by improving implementation of evidence-based practice. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Cameron Dickson
2021 Principal Supervisor Advancing physiotherapy management of chronic pain by improving implementation of evidence-based practice. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Cameron Dickson

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2018 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Heat and Work, Health, and Safety in Australia: Intra-urban risk assessment, future projections, and workplace policy analysis Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Syeda Hira Fatima

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2017 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Evaluating the effectiveness of the SA Health Challenging Behaviour Strategy The University of Adelaide Master of Public Health Master - Tanisha Hutchinson
2017 - 2017 Principal Supervisor The barriers and facilitators to use of sit-stand desks The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Honours) Honours - Daniel Elder

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2016 - ongoing Board Member Australian College of Physiotherapists - Board of Censors - Australia
2008 - ongoing Member Australian College of Physiotherapists - Professional Practice Standards Committee Australian College of Physiotherapists Australia

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2020 - ongoing Board Member Archives of Physiotherapy BMC Italy
2015 - ongoing Member Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine - Japan

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