Linda Robertson

Principal Lecturer

Phone: 0800 762 786

Contact Me

Dr Linda Robertson is an experienced lecturer who has worked at Otago Polytechnic for more than 20 years. She has taught at all levels of occupational therapy education but is now focusing on postgraduate courses. She is a Principal Lecturer and her topics of expertise are clinical reasoning, research and education. A major achievement from a long career in teaching is her book, Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Controversies in Practice.

Research Expertise:

Clinical reasoning. Residential homes for older people. Teaching / learning processes. Evidence Based Practice.

Research Publications

Journal Article

Robertson, L., & Blaga, L. (2012). Occupational therapy assessments used in acute physical care settings. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy(Early on-line,

Robertson, L., Hale B. (2011). Interviewing Older People; Relationships in Qualitative Research. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ISSN 1540-580X July 2011 9 (3) 1-8, 1-8.
Link to web publication

Robertson, L., Smellie, T., Wilson, P., & Cox, L. (2011). Learning styles and fieldwork education: Student's perspectives. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy 58(1), 36-40,

Waters, D. L., Hale, L. A., Robertson, L Hale B. A. (2011). Evaluation of a peer-led falls prevention program for older adults. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 92, 1581-1586,

Morrison, T., Robertson L. (2011). The influences on new graduates’ ability to implement evidence-based practice: A review of the literature. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(2), 37 - 40,

Wilson, L., Penman, M., Robertson, L., Herkt, J., Robinson, R., and Pettigrew, N. (2011). Learning from our colleagues. Scope: Learning and Teaching, November, pp. 90-109 ISSN 1178-4180,

Robertson, L & Fitzgerald R. (2010). The conceptualisation of residential home environments: implications for occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 73(4) 170-177,

Andrew, A. & Robertson, L. (2010). Distance based education for activity staff in aged care residential settings. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-disciplinary Journal, 11(3) 62-, 62-.

Robertson L & Griffiths, S. (2009). Graduates’ Reflections on their Preparation for Practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 72(3) 125-132, 125-132.

Robertson, L. & Blaga, L. (2008). Draft Position Statement: The role of occupational therapy in acute care practice (physical). OT Insight, 29(7), 1, 4-5, 4-5.

Blaga, L. & Robertson, L. (2008). The nature of occupational therapy practice in acute physical care settings. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(2), 11-18, 11-18.

Sheehan D., Robertson L., & Ormond T. (2007). Comparison of Language Used and Patterns of Communication in Interprofessional and Multidisciplinary Teams. Journal of Interprofessional Care 21(1) 17-30, 17-30.

Sheehan, D, Robertson, L., Ormond, T. (2007). Comparison of language used and patterns of communication in Interprofessional and multidisciplinary teams. Journal of Interprofessional Care 21(1) 17-30, 17-30.

Fitzgerald, R., & Robertson, L. (2006). Inhabiting the places and non-places of a residential home: a case study from New Zealand. Sites (A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies) ISSN 01125990 New Series (3)1 48-71, 48-71.

Sheehan D., Robertson L., & Ormond T. (2005). An exploration of the impact of professional experience and background on clinical reasoning. Focus On Health Professional Education: A Multi-Disciplinary Journal 7(2) 99-113, 99-113.

Blair S & Robertson, L. (2005). Hard complexities – soft complexities: An exploration Of philosophical positions related to evidence in occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 68(6) 269-276, 269-276.

Craig, G & Robertson, L. (2004). Occupational therapy practice in acute physical health care settings – a pilot study. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy. 51(1) 5-13, 5-13.

MacKersey, A. Robertson, L. & McKay, W. (2003). Implications of the health reforms for Occupational Therapy fieldwork education. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy 50 (2) 28-33, 28-33.

Chapter in Book

Robertson, L. (2012). The Novice Therapist. In L. Robertson (2012) (Ed.), Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Controversies in practice (pp. 77-92). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell,

Robertson, L. (2012). Reasoning that is difficult to articulate. In L. Robertson (2012) (Ed.), Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Controversies in practice (pp. 129-136). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell,

Robertson, L. & Griffiths, S. (2012). Problem Solving in Occupational Therapy. In L. Robertson (2012) (Ed.), Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Controversies in practice (pp. 1-14). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell,

Conference Contribution - Oral presentation

Walters, D; Hale, L; Robertson, L; Hale, B, Davidson, S & Dando, M. (2010). The changing face of falls prevention in New Zealand: Effectiveness, social capital, cost, sustainability. International Federation of Aging Conference. Melbourne conference centre Conference programme - electronic abstracts. 3-6th May, 2010. 90-minute workshop, 90 minute workshop.

Paterson, M., Robertson, L., Penman, M., & Lysaght, R. (2010). Reflective learning in cyberspace - an international learning opportunity. WFOT - World Federation of Occupational Therapy Conference, Chile. May. 20 minutes, 20 minutes.

Robertson, L. (2010). Supporting new Graduates: New graduate, supervisor, fieldwork co-ordinator and educator perspectives. New Zealand Assoc Occupational Therapists Conference: Nelson 2010; Rutherford Hotel. 8-10 Septemember. 1 1/2 hour panel presentation and discussion http://www.nzaot.com/downloads/contribute/NZAOTConference2010Feedback_ADHBOTs.pdf. This document provides a critique of all abstracts for the NZAOT conference, 1 1/2 hour panel presentation and discussion.

Robertson, L; Hale, B. (2010). Various Mobilities. Moblities Symposium: Towards a movement-driven Social Science in Aotearoa/New Zealand. University of Otago. A list of the abstracts plus a podcast can be located on the Mobilites Wiki: https://mobilities.wiki.otago.ac.nz/Main_Page 15-16 November 2010. 20-minute presentation, 20 minute presentation.

Robertson, L., Sheehan, D., & Ormond T. (2009). Interprofessional Supervision. The views of New Zealand Allied Health Professionals. ANZAME (Australia New Zealand Association of Health Professionals) Annual conference Launceston, Australia. 30 June. 2009,

Robertson L, Hale, B. (2009). Unintended Narratives in Research Interviews with Older People. Rehabilitation and Disability Research Theme: 2009 Colloquium; School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, New Zealand. 23rd Nov 2009,

Robertson, L. Hale, B., Waters, D., & Hale, L. (2009). Peer-led Gait / Balance Classes & Social Rehabilitation. New Zealand Association of Gerontology and Age Concern Conference. Convention Centre. Wellington, New Zealand. 7-9 October,

Blaga, L. & Robertson, L. (2008). Occupational Therapy Practice in Acute Physical Health Settings. New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapy Conference, Palmerston North. ‘Inspiration-Energy-Action’. September 4-6th. p29, p29.

Robertson, L. & Hale, B. (2008). Interviewing Older People. British Society of Gerontology. Bristol: ‘Sustainable Futures in an Ageing World’. 4th -6th September. P181, P181.

Robertson L. & Fitzgerald R. (2008). Conceptualisation of Residential Homes. British Society of Gerontology. Bristol: ‘Sustainable Futures in an Ageing World’. 4th -6th September. p.103, p.103.

Blaga, L. & Robertson, L. (2007). Assessing Assessments. New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists Clinical Workshops. "Innovate, Motivate". 10th October - 13th October. 90-minute session. Alexandra, Central Otago, NZ, 90 minute session.

Robertson, L. (2007). Reasoning in Interprofessional Teams. School of Occupational Therapy: Showcasing our Research 1/11/07 15 minute presentation and discussion, 15 minute presentation and discussion.

Robertson, L; & Hale, B. (2007). Interviewing Older People. NZAG Conference 14-16 Nov; Hamilton, University of Waikato,

Hale, B & Robertson L. (2007). Handling Sensitive Data. International Conference on Ageing. Two conferences: Growing Older with a Disability, and Family Carers. Toronto, 2007,

Robertson, L. (2006). Graduates' Reflections on their Preparation for Practice. NZ Assoctiation of Occupational Therapy Confernece, Wellington, 31 August - 2 September,
Link to web publication

Robertson, L. (2006). Perspectives on Residential Care: An exploration of differences in the fundamental nature of a residential home as reported by those who live and work in them. Paper presented at the Ageing in New Zealand Conference: Reporting Research Progress, Te Papa, Wellington. http://www.gerontology.org.nz/conference_downloads/Ageing-in-NZ-Programme.pdf 13 November. p37 of handbook, p37 of handbook.

Sheehan D., Robertson L., & Ormond T. (2004). Reasoning in Multidisciplinary teams. ANZAME (Aus, NZ Assn of Medical / Health professional Education) Conference Presentation at Adelaide, Australia June 25-27th. In the abstracts of the conference programme,

Sheehan D., Robertson L., & Ormond T. (2004). Reasoning in Multidisciplinary teams. Presentation at the NZAOT conference. Christchurch. September 2-4th,

Robertson L. & Mackersy A. (2004). Fieldwork Education: The preparation of occupational therapy students for the current health care climate. NZAOT (NZ Assn of Occupational Therapists) conference Christchurch September 2-4th,

Fitzgerald, R. & Robertson, L. (2004). Inhabiting the places and non-places of a residential home. Assn of Social Anthropologists Conference, Auckland 22-24 November,

Robertson, L & Griffith, S. (2002). Valuing Knowledge gained from experience. NZAOT (NZ Assn of Occupational Therapists) conference Auckland 26th –28th Sept p24 of conference handbook. 30mins.presentation Conference was titled "Refine, refresh, renew" and was held in the Carlton Hotel, p24 of conference handbook. 30mins.presentation.

Robertson, L Fitzgerald, R. (2002). Is a Residential Home a Home?. New Zealand Association of Gerontology Conference Christchurch April 14-15th,

Robertson L & Griffith S. (2001). Does the who affect the where and the how?. ANZAME (Aus NZ Assn Medical & Health professional Education) conference, Wellington, NZ June 7th-9th,

Robertson L. & Penman M. (2001). Do they understand what they see?. Australian Conference of Occupational Therapists. Brisbane April 1st – 4th,

Conference Contribution - Other

Andrew, A. & Robertson, L. (2010). Engaging Support Staff in Education. New Zealand Assn of Occupational Therapy Conference; Nelson, 8-10 September. The workshop was 1 1/2 hours in length, The workshop was 1 1/2 hours in length.

Conference Contribution - Poster presentation

Robertson, L., Hale, B., Waters, D., Hale, L. (2011). Peer-led Gait and Balance Classes: Perspectives of the leaders and participants. Falls Prevention Conference Otago Univesity Nov: 21-23; 2011,

Robertson, L & Blair, S. (2011). Evidence in Occupational Therapy: Exploring Ideas. Australian Occupational Therapy Conference June 28-20,

Robertson L, Hale B, Waters D, Hale L. (2010). Community Peer-led exercise groups. Strength and balance classes for older adults: wellbeing and social effects of exercise groups. 4th Australian and NZ Falls Prevention Society Conference: Dunedin 21-23 Nov 2010. See p86 of the Abstract book,

Robertson, L & Cheetham, K. (2008). Creating communities of support for students on fieldwork placement. Action Research and Professional Practice Conference Charles Sturt University, Research Institiute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE), Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia. Feb 7-8,

Sheehan D, Ormond T, Robertson L. (2007). Comparison of language used and patterns of communication in interprofessional teams and multidisciplinary teams. Website for abstract book http://workshops.med.monash.edu.au/clinicalskills2007/ Second International Skills Conference; Prato Tuscany; 1-4 July 2007,

Robertson, L., & Hale, B. (2006). Interviewing Older People. Poster presentation at Aging in New Zealand: Reporting Research Progress Conference. 13 November. 45, 45.
Link to web publication

Oral Presentation (Other than Conference Contribution)

Walters,D., Robertson, L., Davidson, S., Hale,B., Hale, L. & Dando, M. (2010). The Dunedin Peer Lead Falls Prevention Programme: Its effectiveness, social capital, and sustainability. Otago Polytechnic Health Group Research Forum, 23 April. 1 hour presentation, 1 hour presentation.

Blaga, L. & Robertson, L. (2009). Occupational Therapy students' perspective of the acute physical care environment. Ocupational Therapy Otago Area Meeting, Dunedin. 10th March,

Robertson, L. (2009). An international perspective: Learning from our colleagues. Staff Development Conference, Otago Polytechnic. 21 April,

Robertson,L; Hale, L; Waters, D; Hale, B. (2009). Peer Led Gait and Balance Classes. Presented at the Speed Data Evening. Sponsored by Rata South Ltd: Assessment Team Aotearoa Rehabilitation, Dunedin. 16 April,

Robertson, L; Waters, D.,Hale, B. & Hale, L. (2009). Peer Led Gait/Balance Classes & Social Rehabilitation. NZAG Otago group meeting, Dunedin. 23rd September,

Robertson, L. & Hale, B. (2008). Interviewing Older People. Research Seminar, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. 8/10/2008,

Robertson L. (2008). Clinical Reasoning: An overview. Presentation to the Masters students at the School of Occupational Therapy, Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, Scotland. 12/12/08. 1 hour, 1 hour.

Robertson L. (2008). Clinical Reasoning: An update. Presentation to clinicians and staff of the occupational therapy school at Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. 18/12/08 i hour, i hour.

Robertson L. (2008). Empathic and Procedural Reasoning: differences between students and therapists. Research Seminar, School of Health and Social Care, Glasgow Caledonian University, Scotland. 17/12/2008,

Patterson, M., Robertson, L., Penman, M. & Lysaght, R. (2007). International Teaching Using Blackboard. Health Research Forum: Otago Polytechnic. Nov 1st,

Robertson, L; Sheehan, D; Ormond, T. (2007). Interdisciplinary Reasoning. Presented at a local seminar for those working in interdisciplinary teams. "Speed Data Evening" Southern Cross Hotel 27th September. 15 minute presentation (including discussion) Southern Cross Hotel. Dunedin, 15 minute presentation (including discussion).

Robertson, L. (2006). Team Communication (in assessment and rehabilitation wards): Differences between interprofessional and multi-disciplinary team communication. Research and Aging special interest group (sub group of the Christchurch NZ Gerontological Assn), presented at Otago Polytechnic. 7 March. 45 minute presentation, 45 minute presentation.

Robertson, L. (2006). Reasoning in Multidisciplinary Teams. Presentation to a group of 40 health professionals in New Plymouth,

Robertson, L. (2005). Multidisciplinary team reasoning in 2 Elder Care Wards. Research and Aging special interest group (Dunedin sub group of the Christchurch NZ Gerontological Assn.) April 12th 45 minute presentation Presented at Otago Polytechnic, 45 minute presentation.

Report for External Body

Robertson, L. & Blaga, L. (2008). Draft Position Statement: The role of occupational therapy in acute care practice (physical). OT Insight 29(7) 4-5, 4-5.

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