Rate My Professor Rebecca Armstrong

Rebecca Armstrong is a Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Dunedin Centre Coordinator in the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Otago, part of the Division of Health Sciences. She earned a Bachelor of Health Science in Physiotherapy (BHSc(Physio)) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc). Her foundational education in physiotherapy took place at Auckland University of Technology from March 1999 to November 2002, complemented by studies in Western Acupuncture from March 2005 to October 2008 at the same institution. With over nine years of experience at the University of Otago, Armstrong specializes in bridging clinical practice and academic teaching within physiotherapy.

In her academic role, Armstrong teaches across Years 2, 3, and 4 of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. She coordinates and delivers PHTY456, a rehabilitation-focused paper, and contributes to PHTY535 on mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. She provides clinical education, oversees Year 3 placements for students working with populations experiencing complex psychological, social, and physical health needs, and manages Year 4 students and clinical educators as Dunedin Centre Coordinator. Additional teaching areas include long-term conditions and therapeutic touch. Her expertise supports clinical training that emphasizes practical skills in challenging healthcare environments.

Armstrong's clinical proficiencies include mental health, wellbeing, and resilience; addictions; long-term conditions; community respiratory care and management; chronic pain management; and preventative, early intervention, and self-management strategies. She collaborates with academic staff on research projects integrating clinical and academic perspectives. Professionally, she has served as a past member of Physiotherapy New Zealand, chairs the Asthma Otago Society committee, and is a member of the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association. She also acts as a reviewer for the Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, contributing to the advancement of mental health education in physiotherapy.