PAULINE CHIARELLI
Associate Professor and Program Convenor
Bachelor of Physiotherapy Program
Faculty of Health
The University of Newcastle, Australia
PhD - 2001
Masters of Medical Science (Health Promotion) 1997
Graduate Diploma Health Social Sciences (Health Promotion) 1993
2011 RECIPIENT - ALUMNI AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
While conducting natural childbirth classes as part of her private physiotherapy practice in the 1980’s Pauline became aware of the need for open discussions about problems relating to women’s incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. A steady string of calls from colleagues seeking advice about incontinence issues led Pauline to form the Continence Foundation of Australia in 1980, and to undertake a PhD on the topic.
Pauline’s doctoral work resulted in the development of ongoing community-based programs to promote continence. The literature Pauline developed as part of her thesis is still given to 85% of new mothers by the Federal Government. Pauline coordinates twice-yearly workshops on continence at Newcastle University’s Callaghan campus, which attract both international and national participants.
As the leading authority on continence in Australia, Pauline’s recent work extends to male continence issues resulting from prostate cancer. Pauline has appeared in over 1,500 national and international broadcasts on the subject to raise awareness and address the challenges – she is making a difference in the lives
of the men and women in our communities.