Friday 20 September

Breakfast Session 1 - Meet the Speaker
Advancing the Science of Rehabilitation: Translating Neuroscience and Rehabilitation into Everyday Life
Presenter: 
Professor Leeanne Carey

Researchers from Israel, USA and Australia recently joined in an initiative to establish a network of neuroscience and occupational scientists to facilitate vital international scientific exchange towards expeditiously advancing the science of rehabilitation. The focus is to translate knowledge from neuroscience and evidence of neural plasticity into effective clinical interventions. The groups addressed topics such as: What do we know about the neural substrates of recovery? How can we apply learning theories to neurorehabilitation? What can rehabilitation be and where do we go from here? Key outcomes and recommendations from the workshops will be presented and common themes identified.

Professor Leeanne Carey heads the Neurorehabilitation and Recovery research group at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and is an ARC Future Fellow. This relaxed breakfast will give delegates a chance to hear more about Professor Carey's research and interests.

Breakfast Session 2 - Meet the Speaker
Clinical trials for spinal cord injury: Time to move, both physically and philosophically
Presenter:
Professor Sarah Dunlop

Internationally, there are over 120 registered trials covering a wide range of interventions with exercise comprising the majority followed by drug treatments. Cell-based and biologically-inspired drug-based trials are also emerging. Nevertheless, in terms of day-to-day reality within the clinic, medical management, rehabilitation and exercise are still the predominant treatments. 
But, can we do better? 

Professor Sarah Dunlop researches neurotrauma, i.e. traumatic injury to the brain and spinal cord, with the overall aim of promoting functional recovery. She leads an integrated research program that encompasses laboratory and clinical studies that promote functional recovery after traumatic injury to the nervous system. 

Plenary 7
Brain Tumours
Presenters:
Associate Professor Charlie Teo
Associate Professor Fary Khan
Dr Louisa Ng 

This session will begin with internationally renowned neurosurgeon, A/Professor Charlie Teo presenting on the changing face of neurosurgery. Professor Fary Khan will provide an update on evidenced based practice in brain tumour rehabilitation, with findings from research conducted at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and from systematic reviews. Professor Khan will address the pitfalls of methodology, study design and possible ways to overcome these, together with clinical practice improvement programs and issues with outcome measures and the use of ICF in clinical settings. Dr Louisa Ng will present a study on the impact of social programs for cancer related disability.

This session is a must for those who want to know all about the changing approach to brain tumour surgery, updates on evidence based practice in brain tumour rehabilitation, pitfalls in research in this area, outcome measures used and findings from recent research done in Melbourne.

Plenary 8
AROC Presentation
Presenter:
Mrs Frances Simmonds 

Disaster Management
Presenters:
Dr James Gosney
Dr Peter New
Dr Shaun Xiong 

This session will present an update on the activities of the Rehabilitation Disaster Relief (CRDR) of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) to advocate for global professionalization of rehabilitation disaster relief through coordination with relevant UN/WHO agencies and publication of relevant literature. Development of an international registry and an online training curriculum for volunteer physiatrist responders to large-scale natural disasters will be discussed. A summary of the challenges that arise following an earthquake in a developing country (Pakistan) and in Christchurch will be presented with a focus on lessons learnt for improving the disaster management responses.

Concurrent 3.1
Free Papers: Stroke
Presenters:
Dr Kenneth Chan
Dr Coralie English
Dr Kim Brock
Dr Coralie English
Ms Chris Gaven
Dr Sharon Hakkennes

Concurrent 3.2
Free Papers: Paediatrics & Developmental Disability
Presenters:
Dr Louise Tofts
Ms Lisa Copeland
Dr Kim Mclennan
Dr Kirstie Semple
Dr Lynette Lee
A/Prof Remo Russo

Concurrent 3.3
Free Papers: Orthopaedic musculoskeletal, trauma, pain
Presenters:
Mrs Charlotte Pountney
A/Prof Lee Cabell
Dr  Shaikh Muhammad Javaid
Ms Christine Johnson
Dr Shi K Yadav
Dr Stephen de Graaff 

Plenary 9
Controversies and current thinking in MSK, Pain & Occupational Medicine
Topic 1 - Pain Management in Children is the Same as Adults 
Dr Simon Cohen, Dr Ian Davidson, Dr Geoff Speldewinde, Dr Jordan Wood
Topic 2 - Hypermobility: It’s Time to Move!
Dr Stuart Tan, Dr Louise Tofts, A/P Leslie Nicholson, Ms Verity Pacey