• Home
  • >
  • Training
  • >
  • Beliefs and expectations: The psychology of recovery after injury and illness
Beliefs and expectations: The psychology of recovery after injury and illness

Hear University of Otago Professor Deborah Snell discuss her research focused on improving rehabilitation outcomes for people living with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, especially the psychological and psychosocial factors that influence those outcomes.

She was one of the first researchers to systematically examine theoretically derived models of health and illness behaviour and outcomes after concussion. This work spanned more than a decade, and has expanded to include various psychological determinants of concussion recovery. More recently it is focusing on validating effective psychological screening tools and building research evidence for treatment.

Professor Snell also directs clinical trials at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch, investigating a range of orthopaedic outcomes, including post-surgical pain, psychosocial and quality of life improvements.

Date: Wednesday 23rd June 2026.
Time: 12.30 to 2pm.
Location: Rolleston Lecture Theatre at the University of Otago Christchurch (Christchurch Hospital campus) or online.
Cost: FREE.

Find out more about this public lecture about recovery from injury and illness, including how to register or access the livestream.