The demand for neurologic care and neurorehabilitation is on the rise. According to a global study conducted by the World Health Organization, eight out of 10 disorders in the three highest disability classes relate to neurologic impairment. 

Because neurologic disorders are one of the greatest threats to global public health, it’s incumbent upon leading scientists and clinicians to work together and share insight in order to effectively deliver care. With collaborative research, international presentations and outreach efforts, the clinicians and researchers at MossRehab and the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute (MRRI) embrace a synergistic philosophy to fully integrate advanced knowledge into the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

“At MossRehab, our reach extends beyond the Philadelphia region because we are committed to improving rehabilitation across the spectrum in order for the best care possible to be delivered to patients around the globe,” explains Alberto Esquenazi, MD, chief medical officer at MossRehab.

To that end, MossRehab physicians and scientists manage a busy travel schedule to attend and participate in scientific gatherings around the world. In recent months, MossRehab has been part of important international meetings in Latin America, Asia and the U.S., where the physical, psychological and cognitive aspects of neurological disorders were discussed. 

Making Connections and Improving Patient Care

When thought leaders share challenges, they often co-create solutions that result in enhanced patient care. That’s why MossRehab clinicians traveled to Honduras to participate in the XXVII Congress of the Latin American Medical Society of Rehabilitation. The congress brought together leaders in physical medicine and rehabilitation to share experiences and inspire collaborative discussion.

“Laboratory research alone will not advance rehabilitation medicine,” says John Whyte, MD, PhD, director of MRRI. “By participating in meetings like this, we make connections that help us translate science into effective approaches in patient care.”

Tessa Hart, PhD, institute scientist and director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Research Laboratory at MRRI, explains why taking time out to participate in conferences and make those connections is important to her science.

“There are researchers in Australia doing wonderful work related to my own, but it’s difficult to see them outside of international conferences,” she says. “I really enjoy these opportunities to find out more about their latest advances and to exchange ideas with people who represent different cultures and rehabilitation backgrounds.”

Bringing Advancements in Care to the World

Because of thei position as a world leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation, the clinicians and researchers at MossRehab and MRRI have a strong desire to share advancements with their colleagues working in developing countries who want to improve patient outcomes. That’s why Dr. Esquenazi traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to deliver the keynote address at the 10th International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) World Congress.

A high proportion of the estimated billion people with disabilities in the world reside in Asia, yet rehabilitation services remain inaccessible to a large number of the people living there.

“One of our major impacts was sharing with other scientists and clinicians that technology can be used sensibly in rehabilitation and in unique ways,” he explains. “I spoke about the wide application of new artificial limbs and other technologies and how really understanding the rehabilitation needs of our patients can fill some of the gaps in how we provide care,” explains Dr. Esquenazi.

Sharing insight into rehabilitation technology was part of another important international meeting this year in Philadelphia: the 9th World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation. Part of the meeting was held at MossRehab, where international visitors participated in a special satellite course in robotics in rehabilitation and had a firsthand look at rehabilitation therapy that is at the forefront of the field.

“Our goal in welcoming our international colleagues to MossRehab during this event was twofold: to share solutions and to encourage advancement in science in concert with the very real, human goals of our patients,” says Dr. Esquenazi.