Joint Collaboration with Hokkaido

“Integrated Allied Healthcare for Older Adults” was a multidisciplinary collaboration featuring optometry, orthoptics, nutrition, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, funded by the University of Melbourne-Hokkaido University Joint Research Workshops Fund.

Marianne Coleman and Kwang Cham from DOVS travelled to snowy Hokkaido in the north of Japan in February. Hokkaido University’s Graduate School of Health Sciences hosted Marianne, Kwang, and Dr Sandra Iuliano, a nutritionist based at Western Health (Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science) and the University of Melbourne’s Medical School. It was a very full itinerary with opportunities to visit rehabilitation hospitals and aged care facilities, both private and publicly funded through Japan’s Long Term Care Insurance system.

Marianne presented a guest lecture to occupational therapy and physiotherapy students about the impact of vision problems in stroke, dementia and Parkinson’s Disease upon neurorehabilitation, all key research areas within MSHS. Together with Hokkaido University colleagues and allied health students, Marianne, Kwang and Sandra helped to run an inter-professional education afternoon for over 70 allied health professionals across Japan and Australia. This included discussion groups about barriers and facilitators to inter-professional education, research and practice within allied healthcare for healthy ageing. Prof Bruce Thompson, Head of School, provided opening remarks for the afternoon, alongside Dean of the Graduate School of Health Sciences, Prof Rika Yano.

Although it was a busy trip, there was still some time for some fun in the snow, trying Hokkaido’s famous seafood, and of course gifting some Melbourne coffee, Victorian wine and Tim Tams!

If you have any questions about Marianne’s trip, please get in touch with her directly via email.

If you have questions about international collaborations in general, please contact the MDHS international partnerships and strategy representative, Weilun Nien, via email.