Welcome

CIAO COLLEAGUES,    

It is pleasure to announce the 2^nd European Paediatric Physiotherapy Congress (EUPPT) which will take place on 6^th – 8^th October 2022 in Florence, Italy. The Congress is organised by the Paediatric Specialist Interest Group of the Italian Association of Physiotherapy (AIFI), in collaboration with the Master in Paediatric Physiotherapy, University of Florence and the Rehabilitation Service, Meyer Children’s Hospital.

The first edition of the EUPPT Congress was held in Utrecht, The Netherlands in 2019 and proved to be a successful and enriching experience, underlining the significance of building a European Network of Paediatric Physiotherapists, within the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Paediatric (IOPTP).

A united community of physiotherapists working with children in Europe provides opportunities to exchange experiences of scientific research and share everyday clinical practice and specialised professional education, leading to the advancement in the European standard of Paediatric Physiotherapy.

The EUPPT Congress will feature a dynamic program including plenary sessions, oral presentations, interactive workshops, poster platforms and networking meetings. The first day will offer a morning of Pre-Congress Training Seminars on topics related to paediatric clinical practice.

The Scientific Programme of the Congress will focus on three main topics:

• Neuroscience in Paediatric Physiotherapy. Updated knowledge and understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms and the processes of cerebral functioning and recovery in children guide paediatric physiotherapists in renewing their intervention strategies. Acquisitions in the neuroscientific field are also the foundation for the development of new technologies that can enrich the opportunities of physiotherapy.
  The physiotherapy treatments proposed in the neuromotor field reflect / use this knowledge as a conceptual framework and measure its applicability and repercussions in clinical practice. The acquisitions in the neuroscientific field are also the foundation for the development of new technologies that can enrich the opportunities of physiotherapy intervention.

• Children with Complex Multisystemic Care Needs. An increasing number of children referred to physiotherapy services present multisystemic pathologies and complications, including cardiorespiratory, nutritional, sensory, neuro-motor, musculoskeletal and communication dysfunctions. The paediatric physiotherapist needs wide-ranging skills to promptly recognize and understand the great variety of problems that can arise in the different functional areas. Supporting participation for these children requires a great deal of environmental adaptation to enhance the child’s resources. Working with other health and social professionals and the use of aids are valuable resources for the physiotherapist.
  To enhance the child’s resources in order to support participation, a major effort is required to improve environmental factors. The use of technologies, aids, orthoses, devices to support respiratory / nutritional functions and networking with other professionals in both the health and social fields is essential to support these children.  

• Physiotherapy in Adolescents. Teenagers pose special challenges and require a different approach compared to all other age groups. Physiotherapists need to promote the progressive empowerment and self-management of these young people as they move towards independence. Physiotherapists working with adolescents, especially in the case of chronic pathology, are called to enrich the treatment with strategies useful to support self-determination, adherence and, where possible, the progressive acquisition of autonomy in daily life and in the management of own pathology.
  Families benefit from support in the adolescent’s transition to adulthood and their integration into services for adults.

The SOCIAL PROGRAMME of the Congress will allow participants to connect informally with fellow professionals as they enjoy Tuscan cuisine and appreciate the historical and cultural beauty of Florence, certainly one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations. The city is renowned as the Cradle of the Renaissance and its entire historical centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Florence is home to the Istituto degli Innocenti, founded in the 15^th century, one of the first institutions in Europe dedicated to childcare and which remains active to the present.