The Head of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” Program Explores Swedish Experience in Training Prosthetists and Orthotists as Part of the Protez Hub Delegation
From November 23 to December 1, 2024, Professor Tetiana Bakalyuk, the head of the “Prosthetics and Orthotics” educational program and Professor at the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, visited Sweden as a member of the Protez Hub delegation at the invitation of Swecare, in collaboration with Jönköping University.
The program included visits to prosthetics and orthotics centers, Jönköping University, and an introduction to Sweden’s system of providing assistive rehabilitation devices.
In Stockholm, the delegation was introduced to the Swedish healthcare system (Swecare) and state institutions coordinating and supporting prosthetics and orthotics services. The agenda included five presentations by the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Meetings with providers introduced the delegation to Swedish manufacturers of prosthetics and orthotics, including Fillauer, Bioservo, and Arjo.
The delegation also visited the Spinalis Rehabilitation Center in Stockholm, specializing in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Two Ukrainian servicemen were undergoing rehabilitation at the time of the visit. Since 2022, the center has treated 42 Ukrainian defenders and three civilians.
A noteworthy meeting occurred with Professor Claes Hultling, founder and CEO of the Spinalis Foundation. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in his youth, Professor Hultling dedicated his life to research and rehabilitation medicine for individuals with such injuries. During its early years, the Spinalis team supported numerous doctoral dissertations on epidemiology, sexology, infertility, spasticity, neuro-urology, pain management, and health economics. Thanks to Dr. Hultling’s innovations, he and his wife were able to conceive and have a son after his injury, paving the way for nearly 300 children born in Sweden to men with spinal cord injuries.
Professor Hultling and Professor Richard Levi authored the Spinalis Handbook, which was translated and adapted into Ukrainian in 2024. A total of 2,000 copies were printed and distributed in Ukraine. An electronic version of the handbook can be downloaded here: Spinalis-Handbook_-uk.pdf
For four days, the Ukrainian delegation explored the organizational structure of Jönköping University and its master’s program in prosthetics and orthotics.
Jönköping University collaborates with 800 partner companies.
This institution offers 100 programs and specializations at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, including Prosthetics and Orthotics.
The delegation expressed deep gratitude to Jönköping University staff for their warm reception. The visit offered insights into advanced teaching methods, opportunities to discuss collaboration, and answers to key questions regarding the training of prosthetists and orthotists. This visit was a significant step in strengthening the partnership between the institutions.
On the final day in Jönköping, the delegation visited the central plant of Team Olmed and a clinic specializing in assistive devices. Team Olmed receives 3D scans for orthotic manufacturing from across Sweden. These scans are modeled by IT specialists and sent to production.
The established connections with Jönköping University will promote joint projects, knowledge exchange, and academic mobility opportunities for students and faculty.
This productive trip also fostered scientific collaboration and alignment on key areas of cooperation. The knowledge and experience gained will be applied in the educational process at the Ternopil National Medical University’s Department of Medical Rehabilitation and in scientific research.
Special thanks go to Antonina Kumka, Director of the Protez Hub Charity Foundation, for inviting Professor Bakalyuk to join the delegation, to Swecare staff for the excellent organization and support, and to the Rector of TNMU for actively facilitating this important initiative.