Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mark Elkins | Physiotherapy | Research Excellence Recognition
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mark Elkins, University of Sydney, Australia
Mark Russell Elkins is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, globally recognized for his contributions to physiotherapy research and evidence-based healthcare. He chairs the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Steering Committee and serves as Scientific Editor of the high-impact Journal of Physiotherapy. With over 265 peer-reviewed publications, including in New England Journal of Medicine, his influence spans academia and clinical practice. He has designed and led research initiatives across five hospitals, mentored multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, and published a leading textbook in practical evidence-based physiotherapy. Mark’s work is supported by $4 million in competitive funding, and his H-index of 50 reflects his deep impact in respiratory care and rehabilitation. As a pioneer in systematic reviews, implementation science, and evidence translation, his contributions help shape global physiotherapy standards and improve patient outcomes across continents.
Profile
🎓 Education
Mark Elkins’ educational trajectory demonstrates a lifelong dedication to physiotherapy, research methodologies, and evidence-based practice. He initiated his academic journey with degrees in physiotherapy and clinical science and later enhanced his expertise through continuous professional development. His vision for high-quality research translation led to the establishment of the Graduate Certificate in Health Research, which has graduated 32 healthcare professionals across physiotherapy, medicine, nursing, and speech pathology. Elkins’ educational philosophy blends clinical rigor with research literacy, empowering health professionals to apply research insights in real-world practice. His commitment to mentorship and interdisciplinary education is evident through his teaching roles and program development initiatives at the University of Sydney, where he also leads efforts in capacity-building and scholarly excellence. His academic model encourages a critical and collaborative approach to solving healthcare challenges through evidence-informed interventions.
💼 Experience
With a prolific career spanning decades, Professor Mark Elkins has cemented his position as a leader in clinical physiotherapy, respiratory rehabilitation, and research implementation. He has led over 200 research projects, currently oversees 12 ongoing studies, and has collaborated with both national and international health institutions. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Physiotherapy, he ensures global dissemination of high-quality evidence-based research. His editorial and advisory roles extend to scientific committees and grant review boards across Australia and internationally. He has worked with industry leaders like Pari Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn, and Allen & Hanburys, engaging in consultancy projects totaling over $700,000. His professional journey reflects a unique blend of academic rigor and clinical innovation. Mark is a recognized mentor, having guided research development across five hospitals, demonstrating his commitment to building research capacity across disciplines in healthcare settings.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Mark Elkins’ contributions to physiotherapy have been recognized through multiple prestigious appointments, editorial roles, and industry collaborations. As Chair of the PEDro Steering Committee, he leads one of the world’s largest physiotherapy evidence databases. He received significant recognition for his work as Scientific Editor of the Journal of Physiotherapy (Impact Factor 9.4), one of the leading journals in rehabilitation science. His textbook on evidence-based physiotherapy has become a staple resource in clinical education. In acknowledgment of his global impact, he has been invited to serve on grant review panels such as the National Health & Medical Research Council, Physiotherapy Research Foundation, and multiple international scientific committees. Elkins’ commitment to open-access knowledge dissemination and research transparency has made him a distinguished figure in both academic and clinical physiotherapy communities. His awards underscore a lifelong mission of elevating physiotherapy through scientific excellence and mentorship.
🔬 Research Focus On Physiotherapy
Mark Elkins’ research focuses on respiratory physiotherapy, cystic fibrosis care, pulmonary rehabilitation, and muscle training, all underpinned by evidence-based frameworks. His studies examine the efficacy of airway clearance techniques, hypertonic saline, inspiratory muscle training, and nebulization protocols, leading to breakthroughs in respiratory care. He combines physical and pharmacological interventions to optimize patient recovery outcomes. Elkins is also a leader in meta-research, evaluating trial registration standards, confidence interval reporting, and trial design. His systematic reviews and randomized trials are foundational references in global physiotherapy curricula and clinical guidelines. Through the PEDro database, he advances global access to high-quality physiotherapy literature. Elkins prioritizes research translation by employing plain-language summaries and visual abstracts, ensuring broader understanding and implementation of evidence-based findings. His interdisciplinary, outcome-driven research model empowers both practitioners and policy-makers to make informed decisions in rehabilitation care.
📑Noted Publications
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Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials
CG Maher, C Sherrington, RD Herbert, AM Moseley, M Elkins
Physical Therapy 83 (8), 713-721
2003 -
A controlled trial of long-term inhaled hypertonic saline in patients with cystic fibrosis
MR Elkins, M Robinson, BR Rose, C Harbour, CP Moriarty, GB Marks, …
New England Journal of Medicine 354 (3), 229-240
2006 -
Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy-E-Book: Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy-E-Book
R Herbert, G Jamtvedt, KB Hagen, MR Elkins
Elsevier Health Sciences
2022 -
There was evidence of convergent and construct validity of Physiotherapy Evidence Database quality scale for physiotherapy trials
LG Macedo, MR Elkins, CG Maher, AM Moseley, RD Herbert, …
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 63 (8), 920-925
2010 -
Antibiotic Susceptibilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Derived from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis under Aerobic, Anaerobic, and Biofilm Conditions
D Hill, B Rose, A Pajkos, M Robinson, P Bye, S Bell, M Elkins, …
Journal of Clinical Microbiology 43 (10), 5085-5090
2005 -
Inspiratory muscle training facilitates weaning from mechanical ventilation among patients in the intensive care unit: a systematic review
M Elkins, R Dentice
Journal of Physiotherapy 61 (3), 125-134
2015 -
Challenges for evidence-based physical therapy: accessing and interpreting high-quality evidence on therapy
CG Maher, C Sherrington, M Elkins, RD Herbert, AM Moseley
Physical Therapy 84 (7), 644-654
2004 -
Cochrane reviews used more rigorous methods than non-Cochrane reviews: survey of systematic reviews in physiotherapy
AM Moseley, MR Elkins, RD Herbert, CG Maher, C Sherrington
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 62 (10), 1021-1030
2009 -
Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis
M Elkins, A Jones, CP van der Schans
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
2006 -
The effect of exercise training on mediators of inflammation in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review with meta-analysis
JF Meneses-Echavez, JE Correa-Bautista, E González-Jiménez, …
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 25 (7), 1009-1017
2016