2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research

The Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID hosted the 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research on Friday April 19th. The Forum was held in hybrid format (accessible via Zoom or in-person in Toronto, Ontario) on Friday April 19, 2024 from 9:30am – 4:30pm EDT at the University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue (Rm 140).

The aims of this forum were to:

Forum objective 1 - 1) To facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) in the field of rehabilitation research related to COVID-19, clinical practice and service delivery among persons with lived experiences and affected by COVID-19, including acute COVID-19, and Long COVID, researchers, caregivers, clinicians, educators, trainees, representatives of community organizations and policy stakeholders in Canada and internationally

1) Facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE) in the field of rehabilitation research related to COVID-19, clinical practice and service delivery among persons with lived experiences and affected by COVID-19, including acute COVID-19, and Long COVID, researchers, caregivers, clinicians, educators, trainees, representatives of community organizations and policy stakeholders in Canada and internationally;

Objective 2 - To establish new and strengthen existing research collaborations and partnerships in the field of COVID-19 rehabilitation

2) Establish new and strengthen existing research collaborations and partnerships in the field of COVID-19 rehabilitation;

Objective 3 - To foster mentorship and training in COVID-19 rehabilitation research among faculty, clinicians and trainees

3) Foster mentorship and training in COVID-19 rehabilitation research among faculty, clinicians and trainees; and

Objective 4 - To identify new and emerging research priorities in COVID-19 rehabilitation research and practice

4) Identify new and emerging research priorities in COVID-19 rehabilitation research and practice.

Overview of 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research:

The Forum included over 25 presenters from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Presentations included three Keynotes and two Research Evidence Sessions. Keynote Session 1 delivered by Dr. Mark Faghy was entitled, Unlocking the mystery of Post-Exertional Malaise in Long COVID… This Keynote presentation is supported by Long COVID Web Keynote Session 2 was a panel discussion entitled, Community engagement in rehabilitation research – a year in review. The aim of this panel discussion was to build capacity by learning from persons with lived experiences about their experiences and perspectives engaging in COVID rehabilitation research, and to discuss recommendations, considerations and best practices for research moving forward. Keynote Session 3 was a panel discussion entitled, Bridging Research Evidence with Real World: Community, Clinical and Policy Perspectives on Navigating the Maze of the Continuum of Care, Living with Long COVID. The aim of this panel discussion was to highlight translation of research to practice from an interdisciplinary perspective, centering a case study presented by a panelist living with Long COVID.

Keynote Speakers and Panelists at the 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research

Panelists: Community engagement in rehabilitation research – a year in review

Panelists in the session, Community engagement in rehabilitation research – a year in review. In-Person Panelists (from left to right): Kiera McDuff, Mark Rutledge, Susie Goulding, Hannah Wei Online Panelists (on screen): Linda Li, Sammie McFarland, and Lindsay Skipper

Dr. Mark Faghy presenting his keynote at the podium

Dr. Mark Faghy presenting Keynote Session 1, "Unlocking the mystery of Post-Exertional Malaise in Long COVID…"

Panelists: Bridging Research Evidence with Real World: Community, Clinical and Policy Perspectives on Navigating the Maze of the Continuum of Care, Living with Long COVID

Panelists in the session, Bridging Research Evidence with Real World: Community, Clinical and Policy Perspectives on Navigating the Maze of the Continuum of Care, Living with Long COVID. In-Person Panelists (from left to right): Katie Churchill, Nisa Malli, Michelle DiLauro, Alexandra Rendely, Adam Brown, Jessica DeMars Online Panelists (on screen): Chester Ho

The first Research Evidence Session focused on Health and Disability across Acute and Long COVID Illness Trajectories. The second Research Evidence Session focused on Rehabilitation across Acute COVID-19 and Long COVID Care Continuums.

A new feature of this year's Forum is that there were 9 posters presented as part of the Forum program. Three awards were administered to poster presenters on behalf of the Network. Kriti Agarwal et al. won the People's Choice Award for their poster, Participant Satisfaction with a Virtual Rehabilitation Program in Long COVID; Nadine Akbar et al. won the Best Abstract Award for their poster, Experiences living with Long COVID among racialized communities in Canada; and Chantal Lin et al. won the Best Trainee Abstract Award for their poster, Long COVID and Rehabilitation: Experiences of Physical Therapists in Canada.

The Forum provided an opportunity for speakers and attendees to respond to current research evidence and present new and emerging research evidence and experiences of COVID rehabilitation. Structured discussions and Q&A segments enabled participation throughout the day and facilitators engaged attendees both in-person and online, while adhering to the agenda. Overall, the 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research was a successful event that built on feedback received from last year’s inaugural Forum. Links to the Forum presentations are available on the Network YouTube Channel.

Poster and Abstract Awardees at the 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research

Chantal Lin, PT(c) - recipient of the Best Trainee Abstract Award

Kriti Agarwal, PT - recipient of the People's Choice Poster Award

Dr. Nadine Akbar - Recipient of the Best Abstract Award

Acknowledgements:

The 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research and the Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID are funded by Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

The 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research is hosted in collaboration with Long COVID Physio.

The 2024 International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research is hosted in collaboration with Long COVID Web. Thank you to Long COVID Web for supporting the Keynote presentation by Dr. Mark Faghy!