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About Chris
Chris Higgs is a Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Clinical Education Programme Lead in the School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Professional Programmes, within the Health Sciences Division at the University of Otago. He earned his BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Nottingham in 2001, Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching from the University of Otago in 2008, Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences from the University of Canterbury in 2009, and Masters in Physiotherapy from the University of Otago in 2014. In his role, he coordinates clinical education teams for fourth-year physiotherapy students on placements from Invercargill to Hawkes Bay, and second- and third-year students in Dunedin. He delivers undergraduate and postgraduate training in motivational interviewing to health professional students, emphasizing preparation for diverse clinical scenarios.
Higgs's research specializes in long-term condition rehabilitation through community-based self-management support, utilizing exercise, education, and motivational interviewing for individuals with diabetes and multimorbidity. Notable projects include the Diabetes Community Exercise Programme (DCEP), a Health Research Council-funded randomized controlled trial, and initiatives maintaining wellness for people with long-term conditions in Southern New Zealand. His professional practice focuses on rehabilitating patients with non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Key publications comprise 'Holistic health for Pacific seniors from a weekly group gathering run by a Pacific health provider' (Journal of Primary Health Care, 2023, co-authored with Taungapeau, Silcock et al.), 'How to Best Develop and Deliver Generic Long-Term Condition Rehabilitation Programmes in Rural Settings: An Integrative Review' (Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2022, co-authored with Wilkinson, Stokes, Dummer, and Hale), 'Impact of person-centred care on delivery of the Diabetes Community Exercise Programme (DCEP)' (New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 2022), and 'Implementation of a lifestyle programme for people living with type 2 diabetes: Lessons learnt' (New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 2022). Higgs is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Physiotherapy New Zealand, and the School of Physiotherapy Executive Committee. He has presented on culturally safe care in physiotherapy at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Scientific Conference (2025).
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