TNMU Professor Participated in the V National Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
On November 14-15, 2025, the V National Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine took place in Lviv in a mixed format—both offline and online.
The V National Congress, themed “Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Ukraine: Implementation of Evidence-Based Rehabilitation, Reorganization from ‘Quantity to Quality’,” invited leading specialists in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM). These included PRM doctors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, nurses, physical therapist and occupational therapist assistants, sports medicine doctors, and other physicians involved in providing rehabilitation care in healthcare institutions (neurologists, orthopedic traumatologists, cardiologists, family doctors, internal medicine specialists, pediatricians, hospice and palliative care specialists), as well as professionals from healthcare, social protection, inclusive education, and representatives of public organizations.
The representative of Ternopil National Medical University at this event was Daria Popovych—Head of the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Education, Professor, and PRM Doctor.
During the opening of the Congress, Oleksandr Vladymyrov, PRM Doctor, Professor, FEBPRM, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine at Shupyk National Healthcare University of Ukraine, Chairman of the Board of the “Ukrainian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine” NGO, and National Manager for Ukraine for the European Union of Medical Specialists’ PRM Council, delivered a welcoming speech. He stated that “Ukraine continues to build a resilient healthcare system where rehabilitation is an inseparable part of the treatment process. This is the mission under which the National Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine—a key event for doctors, scientists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, managers, and everyone who is creating the new rehabilitation in Ukraine—is being held for the fifth time.” Volodymyr Holyk, PRM Doctor, Associate Professor, FEBPRM, Disability and Rehabilitation Unit, WHO Country Office in Ukraine, Technical Officer for Disability and Rehabilitation, spoke on behalf of the WHO Country Office in Ukraine.
Key Topics in the Congress Program
The Congress program included the following issues:
- Plenary sessions and master classes on the organization and practical implementation of multidisciplinary rehabilitation care for the wounded and affected by the war (traumatic brain injuries, limb amputations, spinal trauma, burns, etc.) in healthcare institutions of various departments and forms of ownership in Ukraine.
- Fundamental reports from leading European and domestic experts on the practical experience of building rehabilitation systems abroad and in Ukraine, education, and advanced training for rehabilitation specialists.
- Further implementation and improvement of the system for providing rehabilitation care by healthcare institutions under the rehabilitation care packages of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU).
- Scientific and practical reports from specialists working in rehabilitation and conducting master classes in the main areas of PRM:
- Neurorehabilitation
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, prosthetics-orthotics
- Rehabilitation in pediatric practice
- Rehabilitation in sports medicine, Paralympic sports, adaptive sports
- Psychotherapeutic aspects of rehabilitation, mental health of society
The Congress program featured reports by leading Ukrainian and international experts, master classes, panel discussions, presentations of research, and practical case studies.
Special attention was paid to the rehabilitation of military personnel, the multidisciplinary team approach, digital technologies, and new clinical protocols. Throughout the first day of the congress (November 14, 2025), a series of presentations by domestic and foreign rehabilitation specialists took place in three conference halls.
The second day (November 15, 2025) of the V National Congress began with a Panel Discussion on “Training of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Doctors in Ukraine – Experience and Challenges,” chaired by Serhiy Ubohov, Head of the Department of Medical Personnel, Education, and Science at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. Representatives from Ukrainian higher education institutions that train local PRM specialists participated in the panel discussion.
During the discussion, several important issues of higher education were addressed, including the preparation and development of the Standard of Higher Education for the PRM specialty, quality personnel training in universities, and a particular focus on the quality of PRM doctors’ specialization. Additionally, throughout the day, there were plenary sessions, interdisciplinary panels, master classes, and discussions of complex clinical cases—all essential components for modern rehabilitation medicine to function today.
The program for the second day continued with presentations by leading practicing foreign and domestic rehabilitation specialists in three conference halls. Leading specialists had the opportunity to present reports on both international and domestic developments, sharing practical experience at all levels of medical care and within communities. The Congress became not only a scientific platform but also a symbol of the resilience of Ukrainian medicine during the war, progress, and the development of rehabilitation in general.
The key discussion topics at the V National Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine included neurorehabilitation, war injuries, pediatric rehabilitation, prosthetics-orthotics, psychological rehabilitation, mental health, and sports medicine.
An exhibition of rehabilitation equipment that can be implemented and used in healthcare institutions, rehabilitation centers, and specialized rehabilitation clinics (physical and rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, etc.) was held during the V National Congress of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Lviv. This allowed visitors to familiarize themselves with leading domestic and foreign innovative technologies and the potential for their future practical use.
Sincere thanks were extended to the congress organizers for the high level of the event, to colleagues and rehabilitation specialists for their partnership and professional guidance, and also to the Defenders of Ukraine for the opportunity to work and develop rehabilitation in Ukraine.