iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 23/02/2026

I’m curious to hear people’s takes on these ideas! Thanks, Josh

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 23/02/2026

(2) The human half matters – Stigma and invalidation is sneaky. You can get something that looks polished and still makes a kid feel blamed, or “it’s just stress”. Since this study we’ve replicated it with voice chatbots (paper in prep), and we’re trying to move toward real-world studies...

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 23/02/2026

(1) Benchmarks can saturate fast - Once we provided explicit criteria, responses could basically “max out” usefulness/readability. That sounds great… but it also means our old benchmarks stop being informative. Now: what do we measure, & what’s the human’s role when outputs look good by default?

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 16/02/2026

Build as you think: the gap between ideas and working health apps is collapsing. I wrote up this experiment here - open.substack.com/pub/palpateh...

open.substack.com

Build as you think

Health app development just became radically easy

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 16/02/2026

From a paragraph to a working ‘beep test’ app in 30mins.

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 09/02/2026

It's 2030. Your GP is wearing an AI earpiece. So are you. So is everyone in the clinic. Except the kid. Surely not?!

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 02/02/2026

Hi health professionals with a Notes app full of ideas: software is quickly becoming “on-demand” now that AI agents can do many steps at once… here’s a Substack I wrote about my experiments so far - open.substack.com/pub/palpateh...

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 19/11/2025

Have you tried Gemini 3 yet? Curious how it stacks up against ChatGPT 5.1 and Claude Sonnet 4.5 for real health questions? I used my 4-year-old’s (actually) broken arm photo for an AI experiment. Substack article: open.substack.com/pub/palpateh...

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 16/11/2025

Flying to Florence with UNICEF collaborators to explore how AI might open up new possibilities for children’s health. I have also just launched a new substack, Palpate: Health AI. Testing new tools with plain language takeaways. Follow along here: palpatehealthai.substack.com/p/launching-...

palpatehealthai.substack.com

Launching from Gate 57: Why I’m starting this newsletter on the way to Florence

What is this all about, Josh? And what on earth is that logo?

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 25/08/2025

...Teachers naturally draw on their strengths (relationships, comfort-scaffolding, inclusion practices) to support students in pain. But societal misconceptions (eg. “pain must mean tissue damage”) can leave them questioning whether pain is “real,” which risks reinforcing stigma or school absence...

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 25/08/2025

Huge congratulations to Rebecca Fechner on another paper from her PhD! The study explored how teachers understand and respond to student pain...

110

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 17/07/2025

It was all smiles in the front row of this morning’s packed-out author reading! Seriously though, it is quite a thrill to encourage the next generation with the latest science of healthy physical activity habits. The kids loved meeting Twirl “for real life”! #childrensauthor #libraryvisit

040

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 15/07/2025

Sunday Telegraph pg 7 #scicomm: I was interviewed about threading physio research into children's books. Next - if you’re in the Shire wanting free science-infused storytimes (ha!) you are welcome to come on Thursday! Details below.

110

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 11/07/2025

NEW PAPER The idea of ‘body mindsets’ is so fascinating. Have you ever thought of your body as: 1. capable? 2. responsive? 3. an adversary? Link re: adolescents with chronic pain (led by the excellent Emily Dowling and Lauren Heathcote! What a great team) - doi.org/10.1097/AJP....

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 07/07/2025

New paper led by brilliant UK collaborators: - Teens thought more broadly about pain, - they said "recovery is possible", and - their behavioural intentions changed. doi.org/10.1016/j.ms... Please pass it on to people you know working alongside teens challenged by pain - thanks!

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 04/07/2025

How good is this? Bec’s PhD research is already making a real difference. The UTS media team just published a story about how her work is helping children feel supported at school. Please feel free to share it with your school/teacher/principal friends: www.uts.edu.au/case-studies...

010

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 26/06/2025

What a privilege it is to work hard researching topics that get described as mind-blowing!

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 26/06/2025

How can we better understand in-clinic turning points for kids facing chronic pain? I think this study is a simple way to make a big difference. Message me on LinkedIn if you are interested. and I can connect you with Jen Norton. Thanks! #ChronicPain #Research #PediatricPain #PaediatricPain

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 18/06/2025

I was reminded that when we give kids access to new scientific findings in their language, they certainly run with it! A big thanks to @aipscience.bsky.social. What a blast!

010

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 18/06/2025

This morning I worked alongside 320 budding scientists (kids!) for a series of school visit sessions co-ordinated by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science. We had a lot of fun exploring the latest science together.

110

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 01/06/2025

(The book signings even continued at the airport tonight, ha! What a joy to entertain and help the next generation of humans to thrive!)

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 01/06/2025

Also today, a new industry partnership PhD opportunity was announced with RSD, where I’m on the supervisory panel of Louise Moseley who is kicking off her research journey in July. Go Lou!

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 01/06/2025

The panel discussion alongside Prof Tony Okley (UoW) and Dr Emma Watkins (Emma Memma!) was a highlight of the massive conference.

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 01/06/2025

Flew in and out of the Gold Coast today to launch an important new resource - a preschool children’s book about school readiness. It’s my 2nd book collaborating with Ready Set Dance, and I’m thrilled about this collaboration.

110

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 20/05/2025

A big congratulations to Bec Fechner for another paper published for her PhD! Let us know if you want access to the full text. doi.org/10.1097/ajp.... #chronicpain

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 15/05/2025

Here’s an exciting opportunity to dip your toes into the research world (or for a seasoned researcher to join the team) as we explore the world of strengths-based healthcare!

010

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 15/04/2025

Jen Norton just shared our experiences working with a lived experience family as co-authors on one of her PhD studies. The family highlighted the difference between therapeutic alliance (not always there!) and therapeutic relationship. Excellent work Jen! #AusPainSoc

031

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 15/04/2025

Our choice of words impacts rehab outcomes. Ebonie Rio shared so many practical, thought-provoking tips for working with people with tendinopathies. #AusPainSoc

021

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 14/04/2025

Here are some pics. What a thrill to co-facilitate a session with brilliant authors Jules Richards, Ross Watkins, and Jo Rotherham! 📚✂️ A jam-packed room not just talking about making zines - but actually making them! It’s so energising to see creativity in action at #AusPainSoc.

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 14/04/2025

Prof Tamar Pincus just mentioned how deficit-focused terms like ‘catastrophising’ and ‘dysfunctional beliefs’ are very unhelpful. She is talking about pain-related distress. Another great talk at #AusPainSoc!

042

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 14/04/2025

Paediatric musculoskeletal pain in Brazil costs around USD $1 billion per year! Incredible insights from Tiê Parma Yamato at #AusPainSoc. It’s a call to action for early intervention and prevention…

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 14/04/2025

Staggering fact: Only 5% of clinical trials on global health are conducted in LMICs - even though they’re home to around 85% of the world’s population. Fantastic presentation by @saurabsharma.bsky.social at #AusPainSoc! #LMIC #ResearchEquity #APS

034

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 13/04/2025

Currently flying to Melbourne for the Australian Pain Society sold-out conference! Pretty excited to speak at today’s paediatric pre-conference workshop, tomorrow’s symposium, & chair Wednesday’s plenary session (feat. live on stage ‘One Thing’ surprises!). See 700 of you soon!

020

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 07/04/2025

This recognition really reflects the people I’ve worked and learned with - students, colleagues, and mentors who’ve shaped the way I teach. Thank you to everyone who has shared this journey so far! #HigherEd #TeachingAwards

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 02/04/2025

We are so excited about this panel - we would love your support. Public voting for our SXSW Sydney 2025 session is possible every 24hrs this week! Voting (<5sec, no rego required) link - publicvoting.sxswsydney.com/profile/8642... Thanks so much! Josh, Emma, Bel & Nat #EmmaMemma #ReadySetDance

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 31/03/2025

A barrier for one health professional can be a facilitator for another! A big congrats to Jen Norton on her first PhD publication! It nicely sets the scene for her other studies currently underway. #ChronicPain #PaediatricPain

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 28/03/2025

It’s wild how quickly science communication is being reimagined with tools like #ChatGPT! This is crazy.

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 21/03/2025

Science spreads through storytelling. Without it, discoveries stay hidden! Yesterday I had a fun lunch talk with fellow Tall Poppies from the past few years. It was great to see science communicators working hard at what they do. Looking forward to their talks! #SciComm @aipscience.bsky.social

030

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 13/03/2025

“Commit to work you’ll probably feel proud of.”  “Probably” - because you never really know what a project will involve.  “Proud” - because meaningful work usually leads somewhere worthwhile. That’s a takeaway from my recent interview with the LX at UTS team - just published! 👇

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 10/03/2025

This morning I had fun being interviewed on ABC Radio Sydney Brekky with Craig Reucassel (from The Chaser) about our recent article on pain rating scales. Now on my way to give a 2hr lecture about pain-related neuroscience, ha!

020

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 06/03/2025

Have you ever struggled to rate your pain? What does “worst pain imaginable” mean to you? Link to our NEW article in The Conversation - theconversation.com/why-rating-y...

theconversation.com

Why rating your pain out of 10 is tricky

You’re usually asked to rate pain from ‘no pain’ to ‘worst pain imaginable’. But does everyone imagine the same thing?

000

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 06/03/2025

So, what’s the solution?  💯 Use pain scales as a starting point, not the whole story.  🔥 Describe how pain feels (burning, stabbing, etc.).  🚶 Explain its impact on daily life.

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 06/03/2025

 🤕 The “worst pain imaginable” is different for everyone.  🧠 Kids, neurodivergent people, and those with different cultural backgrounds may interpret pain scales differently.  🤯 People sometimes say “11/10” to be believed—not because they don’t understand math.

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 06/03/2025

Pain scales have been around for 50+ years. They’re meant to measure pain intensity—but pain is MUCH more than just a number.

100

Joshua W. Pate, PhD @joshuawpate.com · 06/03/2025

When my 5-year-old broke her arm, she was clearly in pain. But when the nurse asked to rate it out of 10, she was completely puzzled. Here’s why pain scales are trickier than we think… (🧵)

100