Helen Banwell

Dr Helen Banwell

Program Director: Podiatry

UniSA Allied Hlth & Human Perf

Teaching Enterprise

Available For Media Comment.


Welcome to my home page and thank you for your interest. I teach, research and practice across a variety of roles. I've elaborated on these roles below but please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
I am the Program Director for Podiatry and the first point of call for all queries regarding this degree. As a lecturer in podiatry at UniSA since 1999, I have taught paediatric theory and practice and introduced second-year podiatry students to clinical practice for many years. I am an active Honours supervisor for allied health students and currently supervise Masters of Research and PhD candidates. I am also an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Santo Tomas (Phillippines). I am happy to discuss potential projects with anyone interested. 
My research interests include the use of foot orthoses in children and adults with flat feet; assessment and management of gait and lower limb concerns in children; and the development of recommendations and/or tools to direct podiatric practice. I am a member of IIMPACT (Innovation, IMPlementation And Clinical Translation in health) within the child health stream. Recent research projects include the use of textured insoles in children with motor coordination concerns, investigations of competencies required for students during placement, and the development of resources to improve student learnings (including the use of 3D printed foot models). We are currently also investigating the 'greening' of podiatry practices and establishing more knowledge and resources for podiatrists seeking endorsement for scheduled medicines. 
My work as a clinical podiatrist has been expansive, with experience in public and private sectors positions across metro and rural settings, including previous ownership of a private practice and as a senior therapist working with children and disability within the NDIS arena.
My engagement with the profession includes being an Executive committee member for the Australian Foot and Ankle Research Network (AFARNet), a member of the Paediatric credentialling committee for the Australian Podiatry Association (2018) and hold AHPRA committee membership for accreditation of universities teaching podiatry and Registration and Notification concerns. I have also acted as a consultant podiatrist for Diabetes SA, Correctional Services SA and held positions on the Podiatry Board of South Australia (Academic Representative 2008 to nationalisation), the Prescription rights advocacy group (South Australia), and the Advocacy committee (Australian Podiatry Association (2018 - 2022). I frequently talk to media regarding children's feet and general foot and lower limb concerns. 

Currently underway:

  • Podiatry service and approach to peripheral neuropathy following chemotherapy
  • Foot posture measures in 2 - 5 year old children. Can we reliably use photographs?
  • Continuing professional development for Podiatrists endorsed to prescribed scheduled medicines, what is available and is it meaningful

Year Citation
2025 Bonanno, D. R., Hurn, S. E., Banwell, H. A., Alizzi, D., & Menz, H. B. (2025). Harnessing 3D scanning and printing technology to improve students' proficiency in assessing foot posture. Journal Of Foot And Ankle Research, 18(2, article no. 70056), 1-9.
DOI
2025 Fidel, M. B. C. C., Cabrera, J. T., Ogerio, C. G. V., Querijero, J., Banwell, H. A., & Gonzalez Suarez, C. B. (2025). Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography. Wfumb Ultrasound Open, 3(1, article no.100079), 1-8.
DOI
2025 Williams, C. M., Farlie, M., Kolic, J., Morrison, S. C., & Banwell, H. (2025). Development of the CHILD-SHOE reporting checklist: a scoping review and modified Delphi study to support reporting in children's footwear research.. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 18(3, article no. e70065), 1-16.
DOI Europe PMC1
2025 Gosse, G., Kumar, S., Banwell, H., & Moran, A. (2025). Child Development Allied Health Services in Rural and Remote Areas: A Systematic Scoping Review of Drivers, Barriers and Enabling Strategies to Delivery of Services. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 33(1), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2025 Williams, C., Graham, K., Griffiths, I., Wakefield, S., & Banwell, H. (2025). Flat out fabulous: how Barbie's foot posture and occupations have changed over the decades, and the lessons we can learn. PLoS One, 20(5, article no. e0323719), 1-11.
DOI
2025 Dars, S., Tiruye, T., Roder, D., Banwell, H. A., Olver, I., & Beckmann, K. (2025). Patterns and factors associated with podiatry service use among colorectal cancer patients following chemotherapy in South Australia: focus on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 18, 6361-6372.
DOI
2025 Wilde, J. H., Arnold, J. B., Banwell, H. A., Thivel, D., & Tsiros, M. D. (2025). The relationship between postural control by instrumented assessment and adiposity in children and adolescents: a systematic review. International Journal of Obesity, online, 14 pages.
DOI
2025 Roesch, H. J., Banwell, H., Jones, M., Saunders, S., & Milanese, S. (2025). An exploration of the acute response of the asymptomatic Achilles tendon to exercise using diagnostic ultrasound. A systematic review of cohort studies. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 28(4), 313-323.
DOI
2025 Urukalo, J., Banwell, H., Williams, C., Morrison, S. C., & Kumar, S. (2025). The F-words relating to symptomatic flexible flat feet: A scoping review. Plos One, 20(5 May), 19 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Gosse, G., Kumar, S., Banwell, H., & Moran, A. (2024). Exploring Allied Health Models of Care for Children with Developmental Health Concerns, Delays, and Disabilities in Rural and Remote Areas: A Systematic Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(4), 507.
DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC1
2024 Mazzeo, J., Banwell, H. A., Tehan, P. E., Anderson, G., & Graham, K. (2024). Use of a novel toe-thumb pressure index for assessing arterial status in the lower limb. a reliability and validity study. Journal Of Foot And Ankle Research, 17(4, article no. e70011), 1-11.
DOI
2024 Banwell, H. A., Tsiros, M., Coventry, J., Ryan, N., & Williams, C. M. (2024). Textured insoles may improve some gross motor balance measures but not endurance measures in children with motor coordination issues. A randomised controlled feasibility trial. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 17(3), 1-13.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2024 Anning, N., Stokes-Parish, J., Banwell, H., Causby, R., Walsh, A., & Tehan, P. (2024). Determining confidence and anxiety of Australian community podiatrists in managing foot ulceration: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 17(3), 11 pages.
DOI
2024 Fidel, M. B. C. C., Ramos, C. S., Manlapaz, D. G., Banwell, H., & Gonzalez Suarez, C. B. (2024). Reliability of ultrasound assessment of hamstring morphology, quality, and stiffness among healthy adults and athletes: a systematic review. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 33(6), 396-415.
DOI
2023 Causby, R. S., Dars, S., Ho, M., Walmsley, S., Munteanu, S., & Banwell, H. A. (2023). Consensus-based statements for assessing clinical competency in podiatry-related work integrated learning. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 16(1), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus5 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2023 Dars, S., Buckley, E., Beckmann, K., Roder, D., & Banwell, H. (2023). Development of the consensus-based recommendations for Podiatry care of Neuropathy In Cancer Survivors (PodNICS): a Delphi consensus study of Australian podiatrists. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 16(1), 1-14.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2023 Martin, S. E., Graham, K., Banwell, H. A., & Johnson, J. L. (2023). Continuing professional development opportunities for Australian endorsed for scheduled medicines podiatrists-what's out there and is it accessible, relevant, and meaningful? a cross-sectional survey. PloS one, 18(9, article no. e0289217), 1-19.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2022 Graham, K., Matricciani, L., Banwell, H., Kumar, S., Causby, R., Martin, S., & Nissen, L. (2022). Australian podiatrists scheduled medicine prescribing practices and barriers and facilitators to endorsement: a cross-sectional survey.. J Foot Ankle Res, 15(1), 12 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC4
2022 Gomes, Y. E., Chau, M., Banwell, H. A., & Causby, R. S. (2022). Diagnostic accuracy of the Ottawa ankle rule to exclude fractures in acute ankle injuries in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus18 WoS15 Europe PMC15
2022 Williams, C. M., James, A., Dars, S., & Banwell, H. (2022). Development and use of the PodEssential and Paeds-PodEssential triage tools to define “essential” podiatry services. A Delphi survey, scoping review, and face validity testing study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 15(1), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC4
2022 Williams, C. M., Banwell, H. A., Paterson, K. L., Gobbi, K., Burton, S., Hill, M., . . . Morrison, S. C. (2022). Parents, health professionals and footwear stakeholders' beliefs on the importance of different features of young children's footwear: a qualitative study.. Journal of Foot and Ankle research, 15(no.1, article no. 73), 1-9.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC1
2022 Williams, C. M., Morrison, S. C., Paterson, K., Gobbi, K., Burton, S., Hill, M., . . . Banwell, H. (2022). Young children's footwear taxonomy: an international Delphi survey of parents, health and footwear industry professionals. Plos One, 17(6, article no. e0269223), 1-19.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC4
2021 Smith, M., Ward, E., Williams, C. M., & Banwell, H. A. (2021). Differences in walking and running gait in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait and Posture, 83, 177-184.
DOI Scopus16 WoS17 Europe PMC13
2021 Banwell, H. A., Causby, R. S., Crozier, A. J., Nettle, B., & Murray, C. (2021). An exploration of the use of 3D printed foot models and simulated foot lesions to supplement scalpel skill training in undergraduate podiatry students: A multiple method study. Plos One, 16(12 December), 17 pages.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC4
2021 Graham, K., Banwell, H. A., Causby, R. S., Kumar, S., Tian, E. J., & Nissen, L. (2021). Barriers to and facilitators of endorsement for scheduled medicines in podiatry: a qualitative descriptive study. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 14(16), 1-11.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC8
2021 Matthias, E., Banwell, H. A., & Arnold, J. B. (2021). Children's school footwear: The impact of fit on foot function, comfort and jump performance in children aged 8 to 12 years. Gait and Posture, 87, 87-94.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2021 Matthias, E. C., Banwell, H. A., & Arnold, J. B. (2021). Methods for assessing footwear comfort: a systematic review. Footwear Science, 13(3), 255-274.
DOI Scopus22 WoS20
2021 Gosse, G., Ward, E., McIntyre, A., & Banwell, H. A. (2021). The reliability and validity of the weight-bearing lunge test in a Congenital Talipes Equinovarus population (CTEV). PeerJ, online, 1-14.
DOI
2021 Gosse, G. E., Banwell, H., McIntyre, A., & Ward, E. (2021). Gross motor skill development is similar in children post Ponseti casting for congenital talipes equinovarus compared to typically developing children: a systematic review. Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B, 30(3), 264-272.
DOI
2021 Knox, J., Gupta, A., Banwell, H. A., Matricciani, L., & Turner, D. (2021). Comparison of EMG signal of the flexor hallucis longus recorded using surface and intramuscular electrodes during walking. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 60(102574), 1-8.
DOI Europe PMC5
2020 Banwell, H., & Mackintosh, S. (2020). Changes in the six-minute walk test and foot health status using customised foot orthoses vs sham inserts in an adult flat foot population. A pilot randomised control trial. The Inaugural Edition of The Allied Health Scholar, 1(1), 1-29.
DOI
2020 Young, J., Pritchard, R., Nottle, C., & Banwell, H. (2020). Pets, touch, and COVID-19: health benefits from non-human touch through times of stress. Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, 4(2), 25-33.
2020 Gomes, Y. E., Chau, M., Banwell, H. A., Davies, J., & Causby, R. S. (2020). Adequacy of clinical information in X-ray referrals for traumatic ankle injury with reference to the Ottawa Ankle Rules-a retrospective clinical audit. Peerj, 8(e10152), 12 pages.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2019 Dars, S., Banwell, H. A., & Matricciani, L. (2019). The use of urea for the treatment of onychomycosis: A systematic review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 12(1), 11 pages.
DOI Scopus33 WoS27 Europe PMC22
2019 Smith, M., Banwell, H. A., Ward, E., & Williams, C. M. (2019). Determining the clinical knowledge and practice of Australian podiatrists on children with developmental coordination disorder: a cross-sectional survey. Journal of foot and ankle research, 12(1, article no. 42), 1-9.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC3
2019 Banwell, H. A., Uden, H., Marshall, N., Altmann, C., & Williams, C. M. (2019). The iPhone measure app level function as a measuring device for the weight bearing lunge test in adults: a reliability study. Journal of foot and ankle research, 12(1), 1-7.
DOI Scopus27 WoS25 Europe PMC15
2018 Banwell, H. A., Paris, M. E., Mackintosh, S., & Williams, C. M. (2018). Paediatric flexible flat foot: How are we measuring it and are we getting it right? A systematic review. Journal of foot and ankle research, 11(1, article no. 21), 1-13.
DOI Scopus106 WoS82 Europe PMC60
2018 Dars, S., Uden, H., Kumar, S., & Banwell, H. A. (2018). When, why and how foot orthoses (FOs) should be prescribed for children with flexible pes planus: A Delphi survey of podiatrists. Peerj, 2018(4), 21 pages.
DOI Scopus22 WoS15 Europe PMC17
2018 Dars, S., Uden, H., Banwell, H. A., & Kumar, S. (2018). The effectiveness of non-surgical intervention (Foot Orthoses) for paediatric flexible pes planus: A systematic review: Update. Plos One, 13(2), 17 pages.
DOI Scopus82 WoS65 Europe PMC53
2016 Cranage, S., Banwell, H., & Williams, C. M. (2016). Gait and lower limb observation of paediatrics (GALLOP): development of a consensus based paediatric podiatry and physiotherapy standardised recording proforma. Journal of foot and ankle research, 9(1, article no. 8), 1-10.
DOI Scopus17 WoS13 Europe PMC14
2015 Banwell, H., Thewlis, D., & Mackintosh, S. (2015). Adults with flexible pes planus and the approach to the prescription of customised foot orthoses in clinical practice: a clinical records audit. Foot, 25(2), 101-109.
DOI Scopus18 Europe PMC15
2014 Banwell, H., Mackintosh, S., & Thewlis, D. (2014). Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus: a systematic review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 7(1), 23-1-23-18.
DOI Scopus96 WoS72 Europe PMC60
2014 Banwell, H., Mackintosh, S., Thewlis, D., & Landorf, K. (2014). Consensus-based recommendations of Australian podiatrists for the prescription of foot orthoses for symptomatic flexible pes planus in adults. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 7(1), 49-1-49-13.
DOI Scopus46 WoS32 Europe PMC23
2012 Banwell, H. A., Mackintosh, S., & Thewlis, D. (2012). Systematic review on the use of foot orthosis in symptomatic pes planus. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 5(P2), 1.
DOI
2004 Nayda, R. J., & Banwell, H. A. (2004). Podiatrists and child protection : an overview of Australian legislation. Australasian Journal of Podiatric Medicine.

  • Evaluating the usability and application of a standardised tool for the assessment of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in Podiatry students, Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 01/12/2023 - 31/12/2025

  • Research Priorities of Australian Podiatrists, Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 28/08/2023 - 20/11/2025

  • Harnessing 3D scanning and printing technology to improve podiatry students’ proficiency in assessing foot posture, Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 01/03/2023 - 30/04/2024

  • Does the use of textured insoles improve gross motor measures balance domain outcomes in children with motor skill difficulties when compared to footwear alone. A multi-site feasibility trial, Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 27/01/2022 - 27/12/2022

  • CPD requirements of Endorsed for Scheduled Medicines (ESM) Podiatrists – what’s out there and is it accessible, relevant and meaningful?, SA Dept of Health, 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2021

  • Consensus-based guidelines for the assessment of clinical competency in podiatry-related work integrated learning (WIL), Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 02/11/2020 - 30/09/2021

  • Pets and Older People: Co-designing to bridge the ‘pet – no pet’ (Petness) divide Project, SA Health, 15/01/2020 - 31/03/2021

  • Prescribing practices in Australian podiatrists and barriers and facilitators to endorsement for scheduled medicines., Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation, 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2020

Courses I teach

  • REHB 2034 Clinical Podiatry Practice 200 (2025)
  • REHB 2037 Clinical Podiatry Practice 201 (2025)
  • REHB 3048 Podiatry Studies 301 (2025)
  • REHB 2034 Clinical Podiatry Practice 200 (2024)
  • REHB 3048 Podiatry Studies 301 (2024)

Programs I'm associated with

  • IBOP - Bachelor of Podiatry
  • IHOP - Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
  • Position: Program Director: Podiatry
  • Email: helen.banwell@adelaide.edu.au
  • Alternative Contact: If the matter is urgent you may try contacting me at the Podiatry clinic (08 8302 2669) or Allied Health and Human Performance office (08 8302 2425)