Over the past couple of weeks our thoughts have consistently been with everyone in Ukraine. We cannot express how deeply saddened we are to see our colleagues and friends’ worlds so suddenly turned upside down by the Russian invasion.
Ukraine is one of our focus countries as part of ReLAB-HS and our initial focus has been to ensure that our team members in Ukraine are safe. Alongside this we have been involved in the WHO coordinated rehabilitation response and are working closely with NGOs and professional associations, in particular in relation to contributing to arising education and training needs.
At this point in time we would like to share the following combined ReLAB-HS activities and Physiopedia opportunities that we have available for rehabilitation professionals in Ukraine and the wider community affected by the conflict:
Free access to Physioplus
If you are a rehabilitation professional in Ukraine we would like to provide you with free access to Physioplus so that you can continue your professional development and/or up-skill to meet new knowledge needs as a result of the conflict. You can gain your free access in one of the following ways:
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- If you are an individual at one of the following organisations that we are already partnered with please contact them for your access: Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital, Student Association of Physical Therapists in Ukraine, Ukrainian Society of Ergotherapists, and the Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapy.
- If you are a Ukraine based organisation and would like to have free access for your staff, students, or members please directly contact Rachael Lowe ([email protected]).
- If you are an individual and are not associated with an organisation in Ukraine please fill in this form.
New courses to address emerging needs
We are working on developing 2 new programmes related to the immediate needs resulting from the conflict, these are:
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- Rehabilitation in Disaster and Conflict – this programme includes 9 courses and will be available in English and Ukrainian as soon as we can get it done. Watch this space!
- Rehabilitation for Displaced People – this was the planned topic for our MOOC in 2022, its development has now been expedited and it will be available as the second priority as soon as we can have it available.
Existing courses for specific clinical needs
We are hearing that there are specific clinical knowledge needs emerging and as a result would like to highlight related courses that are already available on Physioplus. They are currently available in English only but we are exploring how we can quickly get them translated.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputee rehabilitation
- Stroke
- Plus there are over 400 other courses which can be explored here
As the situation evolves the team at Physiopedia will continue to be nimble and responsive to the emerging education and training needs, and assist in any way we can. Ukraine, we are with you now and for the future.
What is needed now
The immediate needs in Ukraine now are listed below, please send a direct message to Rachael Lowe ([email protected]) if you are able to help:
- Ukraine/English speakers who would be able to assist Physiopedia with course translation.
- Clinical mentors, particularly in Burns and Amputees, to assist ReLAB-HS to train local clinicians working with the wounded in Ukraine. Full support will be provided to mentors.
- Polish/English speakers who would be willing to assist Physiopedia with course translation.