Eastern Mediterranean University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation’s ‘1st National Eastern Mediterranean Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Symposium’ commenced at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy Hall at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 26 April 2019.
The symposium, which started with a moment of silence and the national anthem, continued with a mini concert by EMU Faculty of Education, Department of Fine Arts Education, Music Teaching Porgram academic staff members Choir Conductor Erkan Dağlı and Pianist Atakan Sarı and opening speeches. EMU Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation academic staff member and symposium chair Prof. Dr. İnci Yüksel stated that it is now a necessity to share and exchange information in order to follow the developments in science and technology. Emphasizing the need to constantly work and renew information to keep up with this rapidly changing scientific era, Prof. Dr. Yüksel added that "We have to keep the soil of scientific creativity moist,". In a speech of her own, EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç Professor Dr. underlined that EMU Health Sciences Faculty has gained a great momentum in a short period of time and that their main objective is to take the field of health sciences in the country to further levels. Prof. Dr. Malkoç also stated that their primary target is educating health scientists who will serve for the processing, sharing, and holistic evaluation of information and ultimately its use for the benefit of the society.
In his address, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam stated that the organization of this symposium by the Faculty of Health Sciences is of great importance for EMU. Expressing that EMU’s visibility in the field of health has increased greatly, Prof.Dr. Dr. Osam also expressed his hope that this symposium would be moved to the international level in the following years. Providing information on EMU’s successful achievements, Prof. Dr. Osam also talked about the international research currently conducted by EMU Health, Medicine and Pharmacy Faculties. At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Osam thank everyone who contributed to the organisation of this symposium.
Taking place under the main theme ‘Innovations in Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation’, the symposium started with a session titled “The Collaboration of Orthopedics and Physiotherapy” and chaired by Prof. Dr. Bülent Atilla.
The symposium then continued at 11:00 a.m. with a panel titled “New Approaches in the Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries” chaired by Prof. Dr. Halit Pınar and Prof. Dr. Filiz Can Sempozyum. In the panel, Prof. Dr. Halit Pınar talked about “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction”, Assoc. Prof Dr. Aydan Aytar provided information on “The Importance of Prevention and Proprioception in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries”, Prof. Dr. Filiz Can delivered a session titled “Innovations in the Rehabilitation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries” and Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya presented information on “Return to Sport after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries”.
The event continued at 2:00 p.m. with a conference chaired by Prof. Dr. Nihal Ekici Gelecek and Expert Phys. Şahveren Çakartaş. During the conference, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç delivered a presentation titled “Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Approaches after Orthopedic Surgery”. The conference continued with a panel titled “Ankle Ligament and Tendon Injuries”.
During the session chaired by Prof. Dr. Ali Öznur and Dr. Asın Yürükler, Prof. Dr. Ali Öznur delivered a presentation titled “Evaluation and Surgical Approaches”, Assist. Prof. Dr. Berkiye Kırmızıgil talked about “Conservative Treatment in Achilles Tendon Injuries”, Prof. Dr. Zafer Erden provided information on “Functional Rehabilitation in Ankle Ligament Injuries” and Assist. Prof. Dr. Yasin Kurt talked about “Foot and Ankle Orthesis”.
On the second day of the symposium expert academic staff members will be offering panels under the titles of “Spine: Disc Pathologies”, “Current Approaches in Knee Arthroplasty”, “Current Approaches in Patellofemoral Pain Rehabilitation” and “Athlete Shoulder and Rehabilitation”.The second day will finish with oral presentations.
On the third day of the symposium, Expert Physiotherapist Kadriye Balcı Tombak will be offering a workshop under the title of “Evaluation and Treatment of Scoliosis with Schroth Method”, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özge Çakır will be delivering information on “Tai Chi Applications in Orthopedic Rehabilitation” and Prof. Dr. Nur Tunalı will be holding a workshop titled “Reflexology”.
