Queenslanders breathe easier as physio becomes first lung ultrasound technician in the State

Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) PhD candidate, Luke Churchill, has become the first physiotherapist in Queensland, and only the fifth nationally, to be accredited in the use of lung ultrasound, a tool used to diagnose several lung conditions in real time. 

The internationally recognised accreditation from the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM), combined with funding via Luke’s scholarship from The Common Good, an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, will allow the Brisbane-based physiotherapist to undertake rapid examinations at patients’ bedsides, eliminating radiation exposure from chest x-rays and reducing wait times for sonographers and radiologists. 

“Ultrasound is an excellent tool to identify and diagnose several lung conditions, such as pleural effusion, pneumonia, pneumothorax, and pulmonary edema, quickly and reliably. 

“In contrast to other countries, the uptake of bedside lung ultrasound is in its infancy here in Australia, so I’m looking forward to applying this skill in both research and clinical practice to improve patient outcomes,” said Luke. 

For many lung pathologies, ultrasound is more accurate than traditional diagnostic tools such as chest x-rays or auscultation (listening to lungs with a stethoscope). With the ability to see results in real-time, Luke will now be able to immediately tailor his patient’s treatment techniques to provide targeted therapy and improve outcomes. 

For his PhD, Luke is investigating whether lung ultrasound can predict poor outcomes in high-risk adult patients undergoing open heart surgery and guide decisions around oxygen delivery and breathing support in intensive care. 

While open heart surgery can provide several long-term benefits, there is a high frequency of post-operative pulmonary (lung) complications (PPCs). In fact, PPCs are a leading cause of ill health and death in these patients, with up to 85% of lung complications occurring within the first three days after major surgery, highlighting the need for early detection and treatment. 

CCRG Founder and Director, Professor John Fraser said Luke’s accreditation was an example of the Group’s collaborative approach to medical advancements. 

“For the past 20 years, we have built a strong reputation in translational research and, together with The Common Good, we are proud to continue this tradition by supporting emerging researchers, like Luke, to explore new or improved ways to use existing techniques across different disciplines.” 

“The Common Good is proud to back incredible researchers and clinicians like Luke who are making great strides in advancing health outcomes that will positively impact patients now and into the future. We are so grateful to our generous community who make supporting talented people like Luke possible," said Steve Francia, Chief Executive Officer of The Common Good. 

Luke undertook more than two years’ training with ultrasound supervisor, Dr Ramsy D'Souza, Senior Staff Specialist, Intensive Care Unit at The Prince Charles Hospital, and sat several practical exams to be eligible for the accreditation.