Why Jessica took the next step in her physio career at La Trobe

Working as a Grade 2 rotational Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Monash Health, Jessica Faruggia held a specific interest in orthopaedics and patients with persistent pain.

In 2019, with a strong passion for upskilling and improving her ability to support patients, Jessica began a Master of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at La Trobe with the intention of gaining an Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Title.

“The coursework was rigorous and encouraged me to think critically about assessment and management strategies for musculoskeletal conditions,” she said.

“It pushed me beyond routine protocols, helped me identify my biases and inspired me to be more innovative and adaptable in my practice.”

1. The ease and flexibility of hybrid learning

As the program was delivered predominantly online, Jessica was able to continue working full time while studying, while also spending quality time with her family throughout her degree.

With a hybrid learning approach, Jessica enjoyed a combination of online lectures and assignments, alongside clinical placements and some on campus clinical learning in the final year of the course.

Relevant clinical placements within her interest areas allowed Jessica to build experience and further her skills at specialist outpatient orthopaedic clinics and a pain clinic, something she described as career defining.

“The most rewarding part was the opportunity to work in highly specialised clinical environments that directly aligned with my interests,” said Jessica.

“Being immersed in these settings allowed me to refine my clinical reasoning, enhance my confidence in diagnosis and assessment, and strengthen my decision making skills while working alongside expert clinicians.”

2. Access to networks and strong industry connections

For Jessica, the clinical placements were one of the most valuable aspects of the course. Described as valuable collaborations with industry leading physiotherapists and multidisciplinary teams, Jessica built meaningful connections with fellow professionals.

“I was fortunate to be mentored by highly trained physiotherapists who treated us not simply as students, but as motivated clinicians eager to deepen our knowledge and refine our skills,” explained Jessica.

“I still maintain contact with many of these mentors for guidance on challenging presentations. As some now work within the same catchment area, we have been able to debrief and collaborate on complex cases in real time.”

Jessica reflected on what she wished she knew before starting the Masters degree, highlighting the value of maintaining strong connections with peers and educators and how this can open doors to future opportunities and collaborations.

Jessica describes the course’s clinical educators as instrumental to her growth.

“Their constructive feedback and willingness to share their expertise shaped my confidence and reinforced my passion.”

3. Staying industry relevant and expanding career opportunities

Having completed the Masters degree in 2022, Jessica is now a marker for assessments within the same course, something she described as very fulfilling and important for keeping her clinical skills relevant.

“Since completing the Masters, I have also designed, implemented, and led a pain management program within my community health setting. I trained and coordinated an allied health team to deliver holistic, evidence based care,” Jessica explained.

To stay motivated during her studies, Jessica focused on her long term goals and the impact her work would have on her patients.

“Staying organised amid work commitments and planning ahead were crucial strategies that helped me manage my time effectively,” shared Jessica.

“Celebrating small wins during placement also kept my motivation high throughout the journey.”

4. Building confidence in her profession

For Jessica, success was not just completing the course, but graduating with the confidence, skills, and professional network needed to excel in her chosen field.

“Achieving the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy APA title as a result of completing this Masters program has opened new career opportunities and provided recognition for my commitment to further learning, reinforcing the value of postgraduate study in advancing my professional standing.”

When offering advice to others considering postgraduate study, Jessica emphasised the importance of preparation to ensure an incredibly rewarding journey.

“Choose a program that aligns with your professional interests and goals and be ready to fully engage with both the academic and clinical components,” she advised.

“Be open to constructive criticism and feedback to get the most out of placements, and be willing to acknowledge and work through your own clinical biases to grow as a practitioner.”