Student-Led Clinic Offers Affordable Community Health Services

The Health Clinic, at the University’s Gold Coast campus has reopened to the public for 2019, with student practitioners offering Exercise Physiology appointments for the first time, alongside existing Osteopathy and Podiatry clinics under the supervision of accredited practitioners.

The Exercise Physiology clinic runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while the Osteopathy clinic now has extended available hours on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

This year is the first time Southern Cross University Gold Coast campus is offering a Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology degree, to complement the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, following on from its success at the University’s Lismore campus. The course includes 360 hours of clinical placement for students to put theory into practice, including the new Exercise Physiology appointments.

Dr Mike Climstein, Exercise Physiology Course Coordinator, said the clinic was a win-win for patients seeking affordable treatment and for students needing to gain real-world experience.

“The patients we cater for include those with diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, asthma, low back pain, Parkinson’s, cerebrovascular disease, COPD, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and stress, high cholesterol or blood pressure, preventing falls, overweight and obese patients, and other disorders,” he said.

Dr Climstein described Exercise Physiologists as allied health professionals who specialise in advising, designing and delivering safe and effective exercise interventions for people with a wide array of chronic diseases, conditions, injuries or disabilities.

“The aim of this Exercise Physiology clinic is to help prevent the development of chronic diseases for individuals in the community who are at risk, and to improve the health, fitness and overall quality of life for those with documented disease.”

GP referrals are encouraged, though not mandatory, with clinic reports sent to a nominated doctor.

The first and follow-up exercise physiology appointments are both free, with every subsequent appointment costing $10. Meanwhile initial Osteopathy consultations cost $35, with follow-up appointments costing $30. Podiatry Clinic appointments are available on Thursdays and cost approximately $20. Booking are essential for all clinics.

To make an appointment, phone the Southern Cross University Health Clinic, located near the Gold Coast Airport, on 07 5589 3252 or find a full list of services, prices and contact details at scu.edu.au/healthclinic.