European scientists convene to discuss latest research on rehabilitation medicine

New research and improved methods in the rehabilitation medicine area gives injured people a chance to return to a meaningful life, including the capability of working.

At the Baltic and North Sea Conference on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Stockholm, Sweden (14-16 April 2010), 250 European scientists and practitioners within rehabilitation medicine will meet to exchange knowledge, discuss and debate. The aim is to increase collaboration between the countries located around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea in the field of rehabilitation medicine.

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Danderyd University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden is host to the first Baltic & North Sea Conference on Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine. Organized by the newly founded Baltic and North Sea Forum for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, the conference turns to scientists, students, decision makers and practitioners in the rehabilitation medicine area. The intention is to exchange knowledge and increase international collaboration.

Conference sessions will focus on the subject of rehabilitation medicine from many aspects, highlighting research where north European countries are world-leading. How do we assess, diagnose, prevent and treat different kinds of disabilities, and how can rehabilitation help people with disabilities become as active and independent as possible?

All rehabilitation processes need to consider the patient's needs and current life situation. Both medicinal and social goals must be established. Interaction with primary care and different health authorities is also becoming increasingly important.

The themes for the conference are:
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Neuroplasticity: principles, imaging techniques and interventions
• How to prevent chronic pain
• Patient education programs in rehabilitation
• Postpolio: a Northern European perspective
• Research strategies in rehabilitation medicine
• Innovative technology in neuro-rehabilitation

Speakers include:
• Anne Chamberlain, Professor, Leeds University, United Kingdom
• Gunnar Grimby, Professor, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• Torkel Klingberg, Professor, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• Eva Kosek, Ass Prof. Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
• Angela McNamara, Professor, University of Dublin, Ireland
• Bengt Sjölund, Professor, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
• Anthony Ward, Professor, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, United Kingdom
• Professor Christoph Gutenbrunner Hanover Medical School
• Professor Kristian Borg, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• Jörgen Borg, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
• Karin Rudling, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden

Participants at the conference come from most European countries and thanks to travel grants the conference will see many participants from Russia, Estland Lettland Litauen och Poland.