ISPRM Society

ISPRM Society ISPRM is the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

25/04/2026

Why do investments in healthcare infrastructure often fail to deliver effective outcomes? In this ISPRM 2026 preview, Professor Abderrazak Hajjioui highlights a staggering reality. In low-resource settings, up to 90% of needs remain unmet. While many countries invest in infrastructure, equipment, and technology, rehabilitation is fundamentally people-driven, not technology-driven. He explains that the real gap is the workforce, noting that in some low-income countries, there are fewer than two rehabilitation professionals per million people. This situation is even more critical as we face a continuous loss of professionals through migration and brain drain, leaving those who remain increasingly affected by professional burnout and decline mental health. Professor Hajjioui leaves us with a powerful message: you can build facilities, equipment, technology, but without a trained, supported, and retained workforce, there is no effective rehabilitation. Let us know your thoughts on this global health challenge in the comments below! 👇

24/04/2026

📢 Healthcare professionals, researchers, and rehabilitation specialists! We are thrilled to announce an inaugural joint webinar from the ISPRM Spasticity and Pain Special Interest Groups: “Beyond Tone: An Integrated Collaborative Framework for Spasticity-Related Pain.” Discover the clinical significance of pain in spasticity with leading global experts, bridging the gap between neurorehabilitation and pain management.

🗓️ When: April 28, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM (Pacific Time) / 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Lisbon Time)
📍 Where: Join via Zoom here 👇
https://zoom.us/j/97735025619?pwd=NDXvzT7ddO5Is7Q9KhAav6GpjY0Vc6.1

Meet our distinguished speakers:
🔹 Prof. Marta Imamura (Clinical Evaluation)
🔹 Prof. Roberto Casale (Pain Specialist’s Perspective)
🔹 Prof. Jörg Wissel (Neurologist’s Perspective)
Hosted by Prof. Rajiv Reebye and Prof. Stefano Carda.

Tag a colleague below who shouldn't miss this! 🤝

🌍 Global Representation in Action! 🌍We are incredibly proud to share that Dr. Maria Paul recently represented ISPRM as o...
23/04/2026

🌍 Global Representation in Action! 🌍

We are incredibly proud to share that Dr. Maria Paul recently represented ISPRM as our nominated delegate at the WHO workshop on the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit, held in Fiji from April 14–18.

During the event, Dr. Paul connected with rehabilitation colleagues from across the Pacific and beyond, including Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Korea, the Philippines, and New Zealand. 🤝

The workshop provided vital insights into the structures and protocols required to manage health emergencies effectively and prevent chaos. This knowledge is especially critical for nations located within the "Ring of Fire," which face high risks of earthquakes and tsunamis. 🌊🌋

It was a fantastic networking opportunity and a crucial step in strengthening global rehabilitation efforts in disaster response. Thank you, Dr. Paul, for your dedication and for representing ISPRM on the world stage! 👏

22/04/2026

Why do investments in healthcare infrastructure often fail to deliver effective rehabilitation outcomes? In our latest ISPRM 2026 preview, Dr. Muhammad Tawab Khalil speaks with Professor Abderrazak Hajjioui about the global rehabilitation crisis. Professor Hajjioui reveals that 2.6 billion people worldwide require rehabilitation, yet up to ninety percent of these needs remain unmet in low-resource settings. He powerfully reminds us that rehabilitation is fundamentally people-driven, not technology-driven. You can build facilities and buy equipment, but without a trained, supported, and retained workforce, there is no effective rehabilitation. Professor Hajjioui calls for a blended approach combining specialized and community-based providers, noting that a purely specialist-driven model is simply not scalable for global needs. Watch the full interview to learn how we can strengthen health systems through sustainable workforce development. We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver this May!

19/04/2026

Can proactive planning truly change the outcome of a natural disaster? Dr. Colleen O'Connell shares a profoundly inspiring real-world example from Nepal ahead of her ISPRM 2026 keynote. Knowing they are located in an earthquake-prone area, the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center decided to anticipate future disasters rather than just wait for them. They prepared their staff, educated their community, and created detailed contingency plans to manage a massive surge in patients.
Because they practiced these exercises years before the 2015 earthquake, they were completely ready when the disaster struck. They seamlessly expanded their services and provided critical acute and long-term rehabilitation for an increased number of patients. Dr. O'Connell highlights this as the ultimate model for global prevention and emergency preparedness for other countries. Join the conversation on global health in Vancouver this May! 🇨🇦

17/04/2026

When a sudden disaster like an earthquake or conflict strikes, what are the most critical early medical interventions? In this ISPRM 2026 preview, Dr. Colleen O'Connell sheds light on a vital but often overlooked aspect of emergency response. She explains that rehabilitation has a critical role to play in preventing secondary health conditions for both newly injured individuals and persons with existing disabilities.
Preventing these secondary conditions and maintaining skin, bowel, and bladder health are hugely important steps in crisis care. These early interventions ultimately allow people to maintain their health and safely return to their communities. It is a powerful reminder that rehabilitation saves lives and restores dignity even in the most challenging environments. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! 👇

We had a fantastic ISPRM Education Committee meeting today! 🤝🌍 Our team is working hard behind the scenes to advance Phy...
17/04/2026

We had a fantastic ISPRM Education Committee meeting today! 🤝🌍 Our team is working hard behind the scenes to advance Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine education worldwide.

During today's session, the committee focused on:

Curriculum Development: Reviewing the latest surveying efforts for the undergraduate medical education curriculum.

Upcoming Initiatives: Planning and outlining new educational initiatives to be carried out for our global community this year.

Thank you to all the committee members who joined today’s call for their hard work and dedication. Keep an eye on our page for more updates and resources coming your way soon! 📚🩺

15/04/2026

Did you know that rehabilitation during a disaster is often treated as an optional add-on or a luxury? In this ISPRM 2026 preview, Dr. Colleen O'Connell challenges this outdated view and states that rehabilitation needs to break the mold of traditional emergency response frameworks. She emphasizes that rehabilitation is essential in any type of public health emergency. Instead of being an afterthought, it really should be integrated right from the get-go of the preparedness phase, continuing all the way through the response, recovery, and resilience activities.
What are your thoughts on integrating rehab into early emergency response? Let us know in the comments! 👇

🧠 JOINT WEBINAR INVITATION | Pain & Spasticity in Neurological ConditionsOn behalf of the ISPRM Spasticity Special Inter...
15/04/2026

🧠 JOINT WEBINAR INVITATION | Pain & Spasticity in Neurological Conditions

On behalf of the ISPRM Spasticity Special Interest Group and the ISPRM Pain Special Interest Group, we are excited to announce our inaugural joint webinar!

This unique collaborative session brings together world-leading experts to explore the critical role of pain in neurological conditions, with a particular focus on spasticity — from underlying pathophysiology to current management strategies.

🎙️ Distinguished Speakers:

🔹 Prof. Marta Imamura — Clinical Evaluation of Spasticity-related Pain: Clinical and ICF Perspective
🔹 Prof. Roberto Casale — Spasticity-related Pain: The Pain Specialist's Perspective (Pathophysiology & Treatment)
🔹 Prof. Jörg Wissel — Spasticity-related Pain: The Neurologist's Perspective (Clinical Aspects & Treatment)
🔹 Interactive Discussion Panel

🪑 Chaired by Prof. Rajiv Reebye (Chair, ISPRM Spasticity SIG)
🪑 Co-chaired by Prof. Stefano Carda

📅 Date: April 28, 2026
🕐 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (Pacific Time – Vancouver) / 2:00 – 3:30 PM (WEST – Lisbon)
📍 Platform: Zoom

👉 Register now: https://zoom.us/j/97735025619?pwd=NDXvzT7ddO5Is7Q9KhAav6GpjY0Vc6.1

Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts in pain management and neurorehabilitation!

🎓 Extend your ISPRM 2026 experience in Vancouver!The ISPRM Spasticity SIG is proud to co-host the Spasticity Education a...
14/04/2026

🎓 Extend your ISPRM 2026 experience in Vancouver!
The ISPRM Spasticity SIG is proud to co-host the Spasticity Education and Clinical Translation Summer School with the SPECTRA LV Institute and UBC Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, endorsed by SUNAAS Rehabilitation Hospital.
📅 22–23 May 2026 (right after the ISPRM World Congress)
📍 Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, BC
💰 Free of charge
👥 ~100 places — application-based
Two days of plenary lectures, point-counterpoint debates, and rotating small-group workshops led by leading faculty from the ISPRM Spasticity SIG. Designed for both early-career specialists and experienced clinicians looking to deepen their expertise in spasticity management and research. Certificate of Completion for all participants.
Places are limited — register early!
🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spasticity-education-and-clinical-translation-summer-school-tickets-1984210336530

13/04/2026

What does it take to build a healthcare space where everyone belongs? 🏥✨
Hans Galutera — Vice President of New York 11 Plus and licensed interior designer in New York — believes the answer starts with youth-led design and community action.
From layout to materials, from circulation to sensory experience — the way spaces are designed can either open doors or quietly close them. And for young people with disabilities, that difference is everything.
Join Hans and ISPRM at the 2026 ECOSOC Youth Forum Side Event:
"The Intersection of Healthcare and Inequities in Younger People with Disabilities"
We'll explore how youth-led design ideas and community pilot projects are improving access, dignity, and participation in healthcare environments — and how these solutions can scale globally. 🌍
📅 April 15, 2026 | 8:00–9:15 AM ET
🔗 Register: https://aimitalysrl.my.webex.com/aimitalysrl.my/j.php?MTID=m112533994155113c68a6803fd673909d

13/04/2026

Did you know that rehabilitation during a disaster is often treated as a luxury rather than an essential service? In our latest ISPRM 2026 preview, Dr. Muhammad Tawab Khalil sits down with Dr. Colleen O'Connell to discuss her upcoming Sydney Licht lecture on rehabilitation in public health emergencies. Dr. O'Connell stresses that we need to break the mold of traditional emergency response frameworks. She advocates for integrating rehabilitation right from the get-go, covering preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience activities.
During sudden onset emergencies like earthquakes or conflicts, early rehabilitation is crucial for preventing secondary health conditions, maintaining skin, bowel, and bladder health for all affected individuals. She even shares the incredible real-world example of the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center in Nepal. By anticipating future earthquakes and creating contingency plans, they were able to smoothly manage a surge of patients during the 2015 earthquake. Watch the full interview to learn more about this model for disaster preparedness, and join us at ISPRM 2026 in just a month!

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Our Story

The International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) serves as the global agency for Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM). As a non-governmental organization (NGO) in relation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN agencies, as an international umbrella organization of PRM physicians, and as a catalyst for international PRM research, ISPRM has a humanitarian or civil societal, a professional, and a scientific mandate.

ISPRM aims to continuously improve PRM practice and facilitate PRM input in international health organizations with the goal to contribute to optimal functioning and quality of life of people experiencing disability.

ISPRM hosts an annual World Congress rotating around the globe, below is the schedule of our upcoming Congresses:

ISPRM 2019 - Kobe, Japan