First Networking Event for Members of the Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID
On Friday September 8th, 2023, the Rehabilitation Science Research Network for COVID (the Network) hosted its first Networking Event for members. This was an opportunity for Network members and Advisory Committee members to get to engage in conversation about COVID rehabilitation research and practice and get to know each other.
The aims and objectives of the event were:
To provide updates from the Network;
To promote collaboration and partnerships among Network members and Advisory Committee members, and with community-members nationally and internationally;
To facilitate knowledge transfer and exchange on COVID rehabilitation research and practice;
To identify emerging issues and priorities in COVID rehabilitation; and
To foster capacity building and mentorship in COVID rehabilitation
The Networking event featured an opening presentation, Reflection on Patient Engagement by Patient Partners: How it can go Wrong, by Advisory Committee member, Sabrina Poirier, and a presentation by Network Co-Directors on the Framework of Research Priorities in COVID and Long COVID Rehabilitation. There were 2 breakout rooms, for group discussion focused on the research priorities. Breakout rooms were facilitated by Network members and Advisory Committee members including, Sabrina Poirier, Katie Churchill, and Anisha Sekar.
Forty members representing 5 countries attended the Networking Event. Attendees included researchers, clinicians, people with lived experiences with COVID or Long COVID and their parents, partners, and caregivers, educators, trainees, etc., united over their shared interest in COVID rehabilitation research. Breakout rooms featured rich discussion and centered the voices of people with lived experiences to share their perspectives on the Framework of Research Priorities in COVID and Long COVID Rehabilitation presented by Network Co-Directors earlier in the session.
The Network looks forward to hosting future Networking Events for members! Anyone interested in attending such events is welcome to join as a member of the Network. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates on the Network's next event, which will be the 2nd International Forum on COVID Rehabilitation Research on Friday April 19th, 2024. Recordings from last year's Forum can be accessed here.
