For those of you who have not already come into contact with this organisation, we would like to draw your attention to:

LIST OF THE NATIONAL CONTACT
PERSONS OF THE IPG/CF
May, 2008 -

INTERNATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY GROUP FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

The mission of the IPG/CF is:

To promote optimal physiotherapy management for people with CF.
To improve International communication between physiotherapists.
To promote research in Physiotherapy.
To cooperate with National CF Associations.
To cooperate CFW.
To cooperate with the World Confederation for Physiotherapists.
To promote and advise in the organisation of a physiotherapy meeting to run parallel to the CFW or EWGCF meetings.

As a member of CFW, to exchange representatives with the council and through these transmit pertinent information whenever necessary.

The IPG/CF consists of a national contact person in each member country and a core committee. All countries are welcome to become a member.

Although the IPG/CF already have contact with many nations, they are always keen to broaden this further, particularly to countries that do not have access to the resources needed to keep updated with the latest physiotherapy techniques for Cystic Fibrosis.

Previously, through such liaison the IPG/CF were able to perform workshops to educate physiotherapists on such areas, at the Latin American CF Conference in South America.

Collaboration on an even wider geographical scale will allow the IPG/CF to consider further mutually beneficial projects in the future.

If you would like further information on:

* the IPG/CF (including membership)
* how to become a contact person
* the current list of contact persons
* please contact our secretary:

Esta-Lee Tannenbaum
Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist

Royal Children’s Hospital
Physiotherapy Department
Flemington Road
Parkville
Melbourne
3055
Australia

Tel: + 03 93455411
Fax: 03 9349 1546
E-mail: esta.tannenbaum@rch.org.au

WINNERS OF THE NOVARTIS BEST CARE SCHOLARHIP 2008

Prepared by Filip Van Ginderdeuren, 12 April 2008. Novartis offers us 4000 euro for the Novartis Best Care Scholarship. This gives us the opportunity to choose 2 winners each year among the participants of the Novartis Best Care Scholarship. Manar Adnan Jaber from the Children’s Relief Bethlehem Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem, Palestine is our first winner of the 2008 Novartis Best Care Scholarship. She works for over a year with CF patients, approximately seven hours a week depending on the number of CF patients admitted in hospital. She plans to study and undertake practical training at the Free University Hospital of Brussels (UZ Brussel) and at the Zeepreventorium in Belgium under the supervision of Filip Van Ginderdeuren and Frederic Lessire. In Palestine, the health care for CF is not well organized. There are no statistical data on numbers of CF patients, no specialized CF centers or centres offering specialized respiratory care. There is no awareness towards CF nor from medical point of view, nor from the families with CF patients. CF is diagnosed late, after recurrent chest infections or severely failure to thrive. A lot of CF children are in a very bad condition when admitted for the first time in hospital. After discharge from hospital, there is no organized follow-up for these patients. She wants to further her theoretical knowledge in exercise training and improve her practical skills of the different modern airway clearance techniques. She is also very interested in the treatment of babies and non-cooperating patients with CF. Manar wants to disseminate the acquired knowledge and skills, by creating a protocol for the hospitalized CF patients and follow-up after discharge from hospital in cooperation with the medical staff. She will be a “pioneer” in the treatment of CF patients in Palestine. Sylvie Vanlaethem from the CF clinic of the Free University Hospital of Brussels (UZ Brussel ) is the second winner of our Novartis Best Care Scholarship 2008. Sylvie is working for 8 years with 150 CF patients of all ages. Her main reason to choose the CF centre in Lund under the supervision of Louise Lannefors, is the unique treatment philosophy of this centre. Physiotherapy is introduced from the day of diagnosis. Their aim is to develop an effective daily routine for each patient that maintains good physical condition and prevents lung disease and destruction of lung tissue for as long as possible. They have a particular approach for the CF patient and their family, including active involvement in the treatment strategies. Airway Clearance, physical activity and exercise training is included in the daily life as soon as possible. Adherence to therapy is frequently assessed. This particular way of approaching the CF patient and his family and their good outcome has attracted her attention. She believes that every CF centre has its own specific qualities regarding CF physiotherapy approach, evaluation modalities or treatment strategies. Exchanging ideas between different CF centres gives her the opportunity to discuss and improve the treatment quality. Disseminating the acquired knowledge and skills to our CF patients can be done through daily clinical practice during hospital stays or consultations. She plans to share her experience with the other team members and physiotherapists during our weekly CF group meetings and with other physiotherapists during an IPG/CF Belgium symposium. She will also write an article for the Respira Libre, the journal of the Belgian Association for Respiratory Physiotherapists.