All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference “Prospects for the Development of Medical Rehabilitation at Different Levels of Health Care Delivery” at TNMU
On June 19–20, 2025, the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation titled “Prospects for the Development of Medical Rehabilitation at Different Levels of Health Care Delivery” was held at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. The event was organized by the Departments of Medical Rehabilitation and Emergency Medical Care in partnership with the NGO “Ukrainian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine” and the Charitable Foundation “Protez Hub.” The conference took place online via YouTube and brought together over 1,000 participants over two days, demonstrating significant interest in rehabilitation among scholars, practitioners, young researchers, and students.
On behalf of the Head of the Organizing Committee, Rector of TNMU Professor Mykhailo Korda, the participants were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Research, Professor Ivan Klishch. In his address, he emphasized that in the context of war and post-war recovery in Ukraine, the development of an effective medical rehabilitation system is of vital importance. Special focus should be placed on training highly qualified specialists, building a robust infrastructure for rehabilitation services at all levels of health care, and ensuring access to rehabilitation for all who need it.
Professor Ihor Mysula, Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, also addressed the participants on behalf of the organizing committee. He noted that at the current stage, special attention should be paid to training specialists, building an effective multi-level model of rehabilitation care, and expanding coverage of rehabilitation services to the entire patient population.
The theme of the conference focused on interdisciplinary and multiprofessional aspects of medical rehabilitation across all levels of health care — from primary to highly specialized — aligning with the modern structure of the national rehabilitation system and being particularly relevant during the ongoing transformation of Ukraine’s health care system. Participants from Ukraine, Poland, Sweden, and Austria discussed the challenges and opportunities for integrating rehabilitation services into various areas of health care.
During the conference, plenary and sectional meetings were held, covering prosthetics and orthotics, preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation, and practical aspects of organizing rehabilitation care. Over 50 scientific presentations were delivered and discussed during the sessions. The conference materials were published in the Collected Papers of the Scientific Conference.
KEY EVENTS OF THE CONFERENCE
Plenary Session: Systemic and Strategic Vision
The plenary session was devoted to systemic approaches in the development of medical rehabilitation. Key topics included building a rehabilitation system in Ukraine, innovations in rehabilitation, integration of rehabilitation interventions into clinical care pathways, functional assessment in various pathologies, rehabilitation of military personnel, telerehabilitation, the use of virtual reality in physical therapy, and physical activity as a preventive health measure.
Section “Prosthetics and Orthotics” – A New Step in Rehabilitation Development
Presented for the first time in the conference program, this section brought together experts from Ukraine and Europe to showcase modern technologies in prosthetics and rehabilitation of patients after amputations, VR adaptation, educational innovations, and interdisciplinary approaches in preparing users of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Presentations covered current rehabilitation approaches for amputees, organization of educational programs in prosthetics and orthotics, innovative solutions in orthotic care, implementation of VR therapy, and individualized selection of assistive devices.
Section “Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation”: Addressing Today’s Challenges
This section served as a platform for discussing cardiac rehabilitation in wartime conditions, multifactorial approaches to rehabilitating patients with cardiovascular diseases, new diagnostic algorithms and exercise tolerance assessment, resuscitation measures, and evaluation of functional reserves. Topics also included the implementation of cardiac rehabilitation programs in Ukraine, rehabilitation of elderly patients and those with comorbid conditions, clinical management of cardiopulmonary diseases, and war-related approaches to cardiac rehabilitation.
Final Conference Resolution: Key Priorities for Developing the Rehabilitation System in Ukraine
- Development of educational programs for rehabilitation professionals;
- Implementation of innovative technologies;
- Increasing accessibility and quality of services at all levels of health care.
The organizing committee expresses sincere gratitude to all participants, speakers, partners, and colleagues from Ukraine and abroad for their constructive exchange of experience and shared vision of the future of medical rehabilitation.
The conference materials and recordings of the plenary and sectional sessions are available at the conference website: https://conf.tdmu.edu.ua/