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Bronwyn ThompsonClinical Senior LecturerMsc(Hons) PhD(Cant) DipOccTh(CIT)

Email bronwyn.thompson@otago.ac.nz

Bronwyn Thompson has worked in the field of pain management for most of her clinical career.

Her roles have included:

  • occupational therapy
  • pain psychology
  • vocational management
  • policy development

Bronwyn has recently completed a PhD developing a theory of living well with chronic pain.  She also holds a MSc (1st class hons) in Psychology from Canterbury University, and a Diploma in Occupational Therapy from CIT.

She teaches postgraduate papers in pain and pain management, with a particular focus on psychosocial factors, coping and resilience.

Professional interests

  • evidence-based health care
  • chronic pain
  • pain anxiety
  • coping rehabilitation

Student supervision

PhD Candidate: Bonnie Scarth
Supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Lee Thompson, Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Perceptions of suffering, suicide, and physician-assisted suicide, within the concepts of "rationality", "autonomy" and "dignity".

Master's Candidate: Matt Short
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson, Dr Rex De Ryke
Topic: Ultrasound investigation of fascia tissue.

Master's Candidate: Emma Fairs
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson, Dr Jennifer Dunn
Topic: Post Registration Clinical Competency in The New Zealand Osteopathic Profession

2018

Master's Candidate: Michele Burns
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: What happens when you go home: A phenomenological analysis of the period from discharge to first follow-up after knee replacement surgery

2017

Master's Candidate: Andrew Imrie
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Obstacles and facilitators to integrating psychosocial assessment in low back pain by New Zealand physiotherapists

2017

Master's Candidate: Nerissa Chapman
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic: Epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders in the New Zealand Armed Forces

2016/2017

Master's Candidate: Ellise Woon
Supervisors: Dr Bronwyn Lennox Thompson
Topic:A New Zealand PHODA: A measure for identifying the perceived harmfulness of activities

Publications

Vowles, K. E., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2027). Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain. In B. A. Gaudiano, M. J. Tyrberg & J. L. Kingston (Eds.), Treating complex mental health conditions with mindfulness, acceptance, and self-compassion. (pp. 284-313). New York, NY: Guilford Press. Chapter in Book - Research

Bond, K. L., Lennox Thompson, B., & Nunnerley, J. (2026). Supervised pelvic floor muscle training in pregnancy: An integrative review. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 54(2), 150-165. doi: 10.15619/nzjp.v54i2.532 Journal - Research Article

Griffiths, G. S., Lennox Thompson, B., Snell, D. L., & Dunn, J. A. (2026). A patient-informed framework for complex regional pain syndrome care delivery: A mixed-methods study. Disability & Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2710824 Journal - Research Article

Nunnerley, J., Sheppard, L., Springer, R., Joseph, K., Shields, L., Grace, C., & Lennox Thompson, B. (2026). Should it hurt? Experiences of out-patient clinic-based hysteroscopy. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 66(1), e70089. doi: 10.1111/ajo.70089 Journal - Research Article

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

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