Adj Paula Barnard-Ashton

Paula Barnard-Ashton is a South African health professions education scholar affiliated with the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work centres on physiotherapy and occupational therapy education, with a strong focus on blended learning, digital inclusion, and curriculum innovation. She has contributed to advancing technology-enhanced learning in resource-constrained contexts, addressing issues such as digital apartheid and equitable access during rural fieldwork.

Her publications highlight expertise in interprofessional education and collaborative practice, including curriculum mapping of core competencies and evaluations of student experiences in clinical IPE activities. This body of work demonstrates strengths in curriculum design, participatory research, and reflective educational practice, supporting integrated and longitudinal approaches to health professions training.

In parallel, her research engages health systems and outcomes, particularly the management and cost implications of type 2 diabetes within private healthcare models. Studies on capitation funding and comorbid depression reflect an interest in chronic disease management and healthcare resource use. This interdisciplinary portfolio positions her at the intersection of education, clinical practice, and health policy.