Professional Practice Fellow | Kairuruku Ritenga Utua
Email andy.imrie@otago.ac.nz
LinkedIn Andrew Imrie
I am, by undergraduate training, a Physiotherapist. I have worked the majority of my clinical career in a community practice - that over time, was progressively more integrated with public health, social services, and the local and regional community. I've also worked in areas such orthopaedics, aged care and rehabilitation, neurology, elite sports, multi-trauma rehabilitation for young(er) people, and of course, teaching and lecturing.
The latter half of my clinical career was specifically focussed on pain management - as the reality and criticality of 'getting this right' for clients, whanau, clinicians, funders, and other stakeholders became increasingly, crystal clear. I would describe my clinical style as truly inter-disciplinary and client/whanau centred, with special interests in evidence-based practice and inter-disciplinary practice - from a community’s perspective.
Most recently, I've worked in public service, where I've had the privilege of designing and developing service pathways for moderate severity musculoskeletal injuries, as well as leading research teams, using mixed methods approaches, to produce empirical service insights and solutions with strategic value.
I hold a Master’s in health sciences, endorsed in Pain and Pain Management (with Distinction), a post graduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Management (with Distinction), a post graduate certificate in Physiotherapy and of course, a Bachelors of Physiotherapy - all through Otago. My Master’s research qualitatively investigated the beliefs and attitudes of NZ Physiotherapists towards psychosocial screening in the context of people with low back pain.
Publications
Thompson, B., & Imrie, A. (2025, November). AI in postgraduate study: Dipping a toe in the waters. Verbal presentation at the University of Otago Learning and Teaching Symposium: Learning through the Lens of Educators, [Hybrid]. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Imrie, A. (2017, March). Barriers and facilitators identified by New Zealand physiotherapists on the incorporation of psychosocial screening in patients presenting with low back pain. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Nelson, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Imrie, A. (2017, March). Barriers and facilitators identified by New Zealand physiotherapists on the incorporation of psychosocial screening in patients presenting with low back pain. Poster session presented at the New Zealand Pain Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Nelson, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)