Bronwyn (Bronnie) is an occupational therapist who has been working with people living with chronic pain for most of her clinical career. She completed her Master of Science (Psych) at University of Canterbury studying the process of developing a return to work programme for people living with chronic pain. Her PhD study examined the processes used by people living well despite chronic pain, developing an explanatory theory for how this proceeds. Her ongoing research interests include understanding how people use coping approaches in daily life, patient-healthcare interactions, experiences of living with chronic pain, and developing self-management approaches to help people live well.
Bronnie teaches postgraduate courses in pain, pain management and psychosocial and cultural aspects of pain, and takes a strong interest in translating research into healthcare systems. She developed the theoretical framework for Pain BC online self-management programme, and writes the HealthSkills blog. She has been an Executive member for NZ Pain Society (2008 – 2014), and a member of the OTNZ-WNA Executive (2014 – present). She serves as an advisor to the Ara Institute Osteopathy Programme, and an external reviewer for pain accreditation for Osteopathy Australia.