Accompanying specialist congresses ensure multi-professional exchange in the context of the trade fair
Eight months before the 22nd REHAB Karlsruhe, the content of the accompanying events is already well advanced.
In addition to the interdisciplinary therapist congress CON.THERA with a focus on neurorehabilitation, two further guest congresses will take place on the exhibition grounds parallel to REHAB. All three congresses will deal with interprofessional neurological topics in medicine, therapy and care of patients. This range of further education opportunities at the upcoming REHAB will enable participants, visitors and exhibitors to benefit from a variety of synergies.
This is the second time that the annual conference of the Association of Bobath Therapists in Germany is being held as part of REHAB. Andrea Espei from the board of the professional association: "The first time, accompanying REHAB 2019, was an experiment - although both events have related topics (people with neurological diseases, new treatment methods, empowerment of those affected, exchange with experts, etc.), we were not sure from the Bobath Association side whether we could maintain our familiar atmosphere and the density of content of our previous training conferences.
These concerns were allayed after the event, not least thanks to the excellently connected conference area, which makes it easy to switch between the conference and the trade fair: the participants of the Bobath Conference benefited from the exhibition of aids, the trade fair visitors from the specialist presentations at the trade fair and the exhibitors from the therapists to whom they were able to present their products and innovations. So there was no question of repeating this format."
In terms of both content and personnel, the annual conference of the DGNKN, German Society for Neurotraumatology and Clinical Neurorehabilitation, is a perfect match for REHAB. The first chairman of the DGNKN, Prof. Dr. Michael Jöbges (Kliniken Schmieder, Constance), is also a member of the scientific advisory board of the Bobath Association. Some thematic blocks will be jointly organized and top-class panels will be held.
With Prof. Dr. Dr. Uwe Spetzger, Director of the Neurosurgical Clinic at Karlsruhe Municipal Hospital, as DGNKN Congress President, a "local beacon" of the Karlsruhe scientific region is involved. It is particularly important to both of them to present the topics from different positions and professional perspectives and also to discuss them with those affected. "This kind of cooperation brings about a change of perspective across professions, we learn from each other and the best treatment for our patients is definitely always together," summarizes Prof. Jöbges.
Even if there are fewer serious craniocerebral injuries due to, for example, greater safety in motorcycle accidents or accidents at work, the number of people who are significantly affected, usually for the rest of their lives, remains relatively constant. "We are currently seeing many more people involved in e-bike accidents. This is also due to the fact that most bicycle helmets are not suitable for the speeds being ridden.
Our aim is to draw more attention to craniocerebral injuries," says Prof. Spetzger, "we want to make it very clear what a traumatic brain injury means: starting with the accident, with acute hospitalization, rehabilitation, followed by lifelong outpatient care, aids, therapies, care - the entire everyday life changes and all areas of life are massively affected."
Further information on the congress programs can be found online at:
www.rehab-karlsruhe.com/conthera
Photo credits Jöbges, Spetzger, Espei: private