UK physio staff can get a taste of an international physiotherapy conference hosted by the CSP in Liverpool this November, says Birgit Mueller Winkler.
The CSP will be hosting the 4th European Congress of the European Region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (ER-WCPT) in Liverpool this year, instead of its normal annual event, Physiotherapy UK. This year’s special event is expected to attract more than 1,200 physiotherapy educators, managers, practitioners and researchers from the UK and across Europe.
The congress title is Advancing Physiotherapy: Demonstrating Value and Impact. It will have five themes:
- policy, strategy and influencing;
- research, education and practice;
- practice in a digital age;
- responding to changing population needs;
- public health, prevention and social care.
You may ask yourself – will this event be different from Physiotherapy UK? The short answer is, yes, it will be different, but with the best of both worlds.
If you haven’t attended such an international event before, this is your opportunity. The congress will offer a wide range of learning formats including keynote speeches, symposia, discussion panels and networking sessions alongside poster, platform and rapid-five presentations. There will also be a large exhibition packed with national and international exhibitors.
At the same time, CSP members will not have to miss sessions that are key elements of Physiotherapy UK. The society’s AGM will still take place. There will still be a founder’s lecture, delivered by health economist Michael Brennan, chief executive officer of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. The Alan Walker memorial lecture will be delivered by Brian Caulfield, leader of Ireland’s Connected Health programme.
So, overall the congress will provide a great platform to listen, to learn, to discuss, to network with colleagues from the UK and across Europe and to enjoy the buzz of an international congress.
There will also be features that haven’t been available at Physiotherapy UK in the past. Delegates can sign up for pre-congress clinical visits (places are limited) and UK physiotherapy students will be able to volunteer during the congress, making this a truly welcoming, integrating and relevant event for the whole profession.
Watch out for the draft programme in the beginning of April: early-bird bookings are available until 27 June.
Why not come along to catch up with old friends... and make new ones?
More information can be found here.
- Birgit Mueller Winkler is a CSP professional adviser
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Birgit Mueller Winkler CSP professional adviserNumber of subscribers: 1