Pediatric physiotherapy, specialist training and constantly growing research
AIFI event of analysis and development of the discipline in Reggio Emilia
ROME – An overview of the current developments of specialist training in the pediatric field present in Italy, with particular attention to research projects born within the university academic context and supported by the GIS Pediatric Physiotherapy, with the aim of promoting the culture of physiotherapy in the pediatric field.
With this intent, the training event entitled ‘Pediatric Physiotherapy in Italy: specialist training, research projects and clinical practice’ was held, organized by the GIS (Interest Group Specialist) in Pediatric Physiotherapy of AIFI (Italian Association of Physiotherapy) last 18 May in Reggio Emilia, at the Aula Magna Core of the Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova.
“During the morning – says Dr. Antonella D’Aversa, Past President and Scientific Manager of the event – some of the studies conducted within the pediatric specialist Masters present in Italy today were presented. The colleagues, Physiotherapists specializing in the pediatric area, with different training and geographical backgrounds, shared their specialist thesis projects ranging from the neurological to the musculoskeletal field, with particular attention to the family-centred approach and the importance of the role of the team interdisciplinary, arousing the interest, the curiosity of those present and the nourished discussion between those present”.
Specifically, the following were presented during the event: a scoping review on coaching in pediatric physiotherapy; the experience in Area Vasta Centro Toscana on neuro-developmental follow-up and early management; a retrospective study on the preparation for the surgical path of patients with neuromotor pathologies including the identification of a possible dedicated information tool; a qualitative analysis of the Italian context of the perspectives of parents of children with Infantile Cerebral Palsy (CP) regarding physiotherapy; a review of the literature with analysis of a clinical case of rehabilitation treatment in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2);a cognitive investigation on the use of the international classification among Italian physiotherapists of the pediatric area on musculoskeletal pain in children and adolescents.
During the meeting, the meeting of members registered with GIS Pediatric Physiotherapy also took place. “The assembly was an important moment of reflection on the activities carried out in the last year – says Dr. D’Aversa – as well as on the three-year period just concluded but also for sharing ideas and proposals for the future, also the result of the sharing of responses emerged from the survey administered online to members in the weeks preceding the Conference with the aim of creating an increasingly dynamic and constructive dialogue and integrating members into future projects”.
Within the assembly, the election of the new board of directors was also held, composed of Loretta Carturan (President), Matteo Pirinu (Vice President), Federica Puddu (Secretary), Vincenzo Cabala (Treasurer), Laura Beccani, Claudia Sarno, Giulio Valagussa, Ambra Galante (Advisors).