Ianthe Boden

Physiotherapist Ianthe Boden has always loved science – particularly the process of testing a hypothesis to see if what you think is true, really is.

She has taken this fascination with the scientific method into her health science career.

Dr Boden completed her Physiotherapy Degree and a Masters Degree in Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. She also has a PhD from the University of Melbourne.

Dr Boden moved to Tasmania from Canberra 17 years ago, taking up the role of Clinical Supervisor Physiotherapist at the Launceston General Hospital – where she remains.

She is currently coordinating CHESTY – a research project examining the prevalence of chest infections following surgery.

With funding from the Clifford Craig Foundation, the trial is a large international collaboration of 35 hospitals over six countries involving more than 6000 patients.

In 2019 Dr Boden accepted the PEDro’ prize for best trial at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy Congress in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr Boden continues to ask questions, including:

• How can we help a patient to recover better from major surgery?

• Does preparing a patient before major surgery improve how well they recover after surgery?

• Does “getting fit for surgery” make a difference to the patient and the hospital in terms of preventing complications and reduced costs of a hospital stay?

These questions are part of a field of medical research into Perioperative Medicine – all about how, as a hospital and clinicians, we can improve recovery after major surgery.