Rate My Professor Catherine Johnston

Dr Catherine Johnston is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Education Manager in the Physiotherapy Program within the School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, at the University of Newcastle, where she has held her position since June 2003. Her career in physiotherapy spans over three decades, beginning with roles as a Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy Clinical Educator at Westmead Hospital and the University of Sydney from July 1991 to December 2000, followed by Senior Physiotherapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Western Sydney Area Health Service from January 2001 to February 2003. Johnston possesses a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Applied Science in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy, both from the University of Sydney. Her expertise has shaped physiotherapy education through coordination of essential clinical courses, including PHTY2060 Physiotherapy Clinical Practice II, PHTY3060 Physiotherapy Clinical Practice III, PHTY4010 Physiotherapy Clinical Practice IV, and PHTY4040 Physiotherapy Clinical Practice V.

Johnston's research specializations encompass key aspects of clinical education in physiotherapy, such as student learning on clinical placements, management of student underperformance, support mechanisms for students and clinical educators, and innovative models and structures for clinical placements. She also maintains a focus on cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, particularly pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Her scholarly impact is evidenced by extensive publications in reputable journals. Prominent works include 'Navigating the complexities of supervising challenging students in clinical education: perspectives of physiotherapy educators and departmental managers' (Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2026), 'An exploration of factors influencing physiotherapists’ involvement in student clinical education' (Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2024), 'Delivering introductory physiotherapy clinical placements incorporating simulated learning experiences in rural settings' (Australian Journal of Rural Health, 2021), 'Physiotherapy private practitioners’ opinions regarding interprofessional collaborative practice' (Journal of Interprofessional Care, 2024), and 'Establishing and delivering pulmonary rehabilitation in rural and remote settings: the opinions, attitudes and concerns of health care professionals' (Australian Journal of Rural Health, 2016). These contributions advance clinical training practices, interprofessional collaboration, and rural healthcare delivery in the field.