Topics

There will be 10 topics in total. This part will be updated as we receive detailed information about the topics.

The Accreditation Committee of the General Physicians Organisation of Curacao (CHV-CAN) has accredited the conference under No. 14.002 A for a total of 5 points!

The family support as part in the rehabilitation process: "Writing a new life story" - Speaker Dra Tatiana Barreto Garzon

It is hard for a person or their family to accept a disability condition and in most cases the process moves between two tendencies: stagnation and growth. The family naturally try to keep their stability despite various disturbances and uncertainties. The resistance to change makes it sometimes impossible to recognize the evidence of the disability condition or the necessity to optimize remaining capacities. We act as if nothing had happened, introducing cosmetic changes or generating dependency to rehabilitation contexts. The crises and imbalances occur in all families and generate resistance to change from structuring of interaction patterns to ineffective support and guidance.
Support to the family should be oriented to favour the tendency to growth promoted by flexibility, evolution, the search for functioning alternative to cope with, adapt to the new circumstances and the opportunity to write a new life story.

Accessibility, employment and job mobility in Bonaire - Speaker Mrs Silvana Serfilia
Bonaire started a task group Physical Accessibility Bonaire and also the project 'Employers Subsidy'.
During the conference we will give short information about the project Physical Accessibility and an outline about the preparation and implementation of the project 'Employers Subsidy' and how the department of Social Support and Employment is executing the program.

Medical Complications after Acquired Spinal Cord Injury - Speaker Dr Suzy Kim
This lecture will review the multi-system consequences from spinal cord injury covering the autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, integument and musculoskeletal systems. Subsequently, discussion will focus on how optimal medical management of these complications can impact an individual's functional recovery, independence and quality of life.

SCI Research & the Hope for Cure: Where do we stand today ? Regenerating connections in the injured spinal cord - Speaker Dr Oswald Steward
For over a century, scientists have been searching for ways to reverse paralysis after spinal cord injury (SCI). The presentation will review current progress on strategies to restore function after spinal cord injury, ranging from manipulations of molecules to enable regeneration of connections to strategies involving stem cells to repair the injured spinal cord.

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation in the Netherlands, from past to future - Speaker Dr Helma Bongers
Rehabilitation of patients with a spinal cord injury in the Netherlands is relatively extensive. Inpatient-time is long, given therapy substantial, functional outcome and scientific output are high. But perspectives are changing, by influences of amending patient characteristics, health care providers and patient organisations. In reaction rehabilitation programs will change and develop regarding effectiveness, standardising care and regional collaboration.

The presentation will discuss all these different aspects and influences from past, to present and future.

Protocol Standard Care Spinal Cord Injury Netherlands - Speaker Drs Frans Penninx

In February 2013 is the 'standard care spinal cord injury Netherlands' released, after a development path of 2 years. As per 1 January 2014 is this standard included in the Institute for Health Care Quality, which is part of the new Health CareInsurance Board Netherlands.
The presentation will discuss the history, content and implementation of the standard. We will also discuss the ' bumps ' on the working path process between patient representatives and healthcare professionals/providers.

Urological care after spinal cord injury - Speaker Dr Jurjen Bade

The bladder is a very sensitive organ in the human body. Sometimes even called "the mirror of our soul". Because, when we feel cold, we need to pee. When we are tense, we need to pee. If we run for safety, we don't need to pee. Etc, etc. A very complicated neurological system makes us unaware of our bladder. Until disaster comes in, like a neurological disease or a spinal cord injury. Control of his/her bladder as well as preservation of Kidney Function is the goal.

Treatment of spinal cord injury  and spasticity in Jamaica. The Management of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and treatment of the complication of Spasticity - Speaker Dr Paula Dawson
Complications are commonly seen in SCI and may include muscle loss and muscle stiffness (spasticity). Spasticity is involuntarily movement, increasing stiffness in muscles that can lead to restriction with movement, hinder positioning and cause deformity. Educating the patient and caregivers is the first approach. More insight during the conference.

Paradigm Shift of rehabilitation: From Compensation to Neuroplasticity - Speaker Dr Suzy Kim
Traditional rehabilitation has focused on maximizing an individual's functional independence with remaining abilities. For an individual with complete lower extremity paralysis, rehabilitation efforts may end with upper extremity preservation and wheelchair mobility. However, as promising scientific breakthroughs remain on the horizon and as technology becomes more accessible, this lecture will discuss novel rehabilitation techniques including the use of robotic exoskeletons, gaming consoles and human machine interface.

Rehabilitation after spinal cord injury by The Rehabilitation Centre Curacao - Speaker Dr Ayal Zahavi
In Curaçao patients with spinal cord injuries of all levels (except where respiration is compromised and mechanical ventilation is necessary) are treated and rehabilitated at the rehabilitation centre Stichting Revalidatiecentrum Curaçao (SRC). The SRC is equipped with a multidisciplinary team and equipment capable of providing the necessary treatment and guidance of patients with a spinal cord injury.

The presentation will focus primarily on the rehabilitation aspects that need to be addressed in patients with a spinal cord injury as well as the main goals which are realizing as much independence in activities of daily life as well as integration into society. Use of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) will also be touched upon which is necessary in setting relevant goals for the patients, families and caregivers.