The UEMS PRM Section played a leading role at the 1st UEMS Congress in Leuven, Belgium, bringing together medical leaders and representatives of specialist sections from across Europe to discuss the future of healthcare, medical education, and professional standards.
Throughout the Congress, members of the UEMS PRM Section Board actively contributed to key discussions on specialist training, European education standards, certification and assessment, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and rehabilitation.
A particular highlight was the dedicated UEMS PRM Section session, which showcased the Section’s ongoing work and strategic priorities. The session featured major contributions from Prof. Aydan Oral, Chair of the UEMS PRM Section Board, Dr Mauro Zampolini, President of the UEMS PRM Section, and Dr Iuly Treger, Chair of the Clinical Affairs Committee, who presented the Section’s vision and achievements in education, programme accreditation, telerehabilitation, and quality assurance.
Dr Mauro Zampolini was among the most active contributors to the Congress programme. He participated in several high-level sessions, presenting the Section’s position on telerehabilitation and contributing to discussions on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in rehabilitation medicine. His interventions highlighted the importance of innovation while maintaining a strong focus on quality, patient-centred care, and professional standards.
Prof. Aydan Oral played a key role in representing the UEMS PRM Section and promoting its strategic priorities within the wider UEMS framework. Her contributions emphasised the importance of strengthening European collaboration, advancing specialist education, and ensuring that rehabilitation medicine remains at the forefront of healthcare transformation.
Dr Iuly Treger brought the perspective of the Clinical Affairs Committee to the Congress discussions, focusing on quality standards, clinical outcomes, and the implementation of best practices across Europe. Her presentations reinforced the need for robust assessment systems and a stronger focus on patient functioning and value-based care.
The Congress confirmed that three themes will be central to the future development of rehabilitation services across Europe:
- Artificial Intelligence, with its potential to enhance personalised care, support clinical decision-making, and improve the management of increasingly complex healthcare data;
- Telemedicine and Telerehabilitation, enabling continuity of care and expanding access to rehabilitation beyond traditional clinical settings;
- Quality and Value-Based Care, focusing on meaningful patient outcomes, functioning, and participation rather than healthcare costs alone.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for collaboration and exchange among UEMS specialist sections, helping to shape future European policies and standards in healthcare and medical education.
The strong presence and active contribution of the UEMS PRM Section demonstrated its growing influence in driving innovation, education, and quality improvement in rehabilitation medicine across Europe.
We would like to thank UEMS President Prof. Vassilios Papalois and the UEMS Executive Committee for organising this important and highly successful Congress.