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 Masters 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.”
Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid learning
As the program was delivered predominantly online, Jessica was able to continue working full-time while studying, as well as ensuring she spent quality time with her family throughout her degree.
With a hybrid learning approach, Jessica enjoyed a combination of online lectures and assignments, with clinical placements and some on-campus clinical learning in the final year of the course.
Relevant clinical placements within her interest areas saw Jessica 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.”
Solidify strong industry networks
For Jessica, the clinical placements were one of the most valuable aspects of the course. Described as “valuable collaborations with industry-leading physiotherapists and multi-disciplinary teams,” Jessica built meaningful connections with her 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’ve been able to debrief and collaborate on complex cases in real time.”
Jessica was asked what she wished she knew before starting the Masters degree, describing the value of maintaining strong connections with peers and educators, and how it can leave the door open 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.”
Reap the rewards after sewing the seeds
Having completed the Masters degree in 2022, Jessica is now a marker for assessments of the very same course; something she said has been “very fulfilling to ensure I keep my learned 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 ensured she kept focused on her long-term goals and the impact that 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!”
For Jessica, success was not just completing the course but also graduating with the confidence, skills and professional network to excel in her chosen field.
“Achieving the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy APA title as a result of completing this Masters program has also opened up new career opportunities and provided recognition for my commitment to further learning, reinforcing the value of the postgraduate journey in advancing my professional standing.”
As for advice for others considering postgraduate study, Jessica encourages solid 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.”
Find out what you’re capable of
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