ISPO 19th World Congress reunites the global P&O community
After its exclusively virtual edition in 2021, the 19th World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) will be returning to an in-person event in Guadalajara, Mexico from 24 to 27 April 2023. For the first time in the history of the ISPO, the renowned World Congress with its international exhibition will be held in Latin America. With "The Art and the Science" as the theme, the event will provide an international platform for interdisciplinary exchange among professionals involved in the care of persons in need of prosthetic, orthotic, mobility and assistive devices.
"By holding the rotating ISPO World Congress in Mexico for the first time, our aim is to turn our attention to assistive technology in Latin America, intensifying and growing collaboration with all of the players involved. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for persons all over the world who depend on assistive devices such as a prosthesis, orthosis or wheelchair to do what they want," says ISPO President Claude Tardif, adding that "access to assistive technology shouldn't be a privilege – it should be a self-evident part of medical care. It's a prerequisite, after all, for equal participation in society."
In keeping with the aim of holding the event in many different parts of the world, the ISPO World Congress moves to a new location around the globe every two years. After South Africa in 2017, Japan in 2019 and a purely virtual edition in 2021, the 19th edition of the global industry gathering will be held in Latin America. While ISPO Mexico is the local host, the World Congress is organised also in close collaboration with the national member societies in Canada and the United States. Mexico is considered an emerging economy with the Mexican market for medical devices being the second largest in Latin America after Brazil.
The event theme "The Art and the Science" brings together two important aspects of prosthetic, orthotic and mobility care. The Art can refer to elite craftsmanship and clinical experience that is applied when providing appropriate services for assistive technology consumers. Art can also relate to the personalisation and artistic aspects of device design that incorporates the user’s personality and feelings, moving an assistive device beyond just a piece of technology. The Science incorporates innovation, evidence, and knowledge translation across the spectrum of prosthetic, orthotic and mobility services to enable end-users to receive appropriate services at the right time, the right place, and the right cost.
Taking this theme as its starting point, the Scientific Committee is preparing a four–day scientific programme that includes keynote presentations, symposia, instructional courses and free paper sessions.
High–profile keynote speakers expected
As part of the opening ceremony, the Knud Jansen Lecture will again be given in 2023; the ISPO Executive Board has selected Rosielena Jované C. as the speaker. As the founder of the first national ISPO Member Society in Central America, Rosie has taken the lead in bringing together ISPO members from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. She has received many awards for her work, including the ISPO Fellowship.
A second keynote speaker, Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam of Staffordshire University (UK), will present findings from his current research activities. In addition to his work at Staffordshire University, Chockalingam also teaches as a professor at the University of Malta and is a guest professor at the Sri Ramachandra University in India.
Professor Stefania Fatone of the University of Washington (USA) has also been confirmed as a keynote speaker. Professor Fatone is the Associate Chair in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Program Director of the Division of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
She has over 20 years of experience in conducting prosthetics and orthotics research.
Artist Sophie de Oliveira Barata founded "The Alternative Limb Project" in 2011. Her work combines the latest technology with traditional craftsmanship to create unique works of art for her customers in collaboration with the prosthetist Chris Parsons. Both will hold a keynote lecture together.
The presentations will be held in English with partial translation into Spanish.
Call for Papers
The Scientific Committee of the ISPO 19th World Congress invites interested professionals to submit free papers to www.ispo-congress.com/cfp by 10 October 2022.
Exhibition to showcase full range of assistive technology
Companies from all over the world will be presenting their products and services at the international exhibition held in parallel with the World Congress. Covering everything from prosthetics, orthotics and orthopaedic footwear products to machines, modern materials and additive manufacturing, this industry exhibition will offer a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the global assistive technology market. One highlight of the exhibition will be a special area for young, emerging companies.
A total of 154 exhibitors from 38 countries presented their innovations at the ISPO 17th World Congress in Kobe, Japan. Around 4,400 participants from 97 countries visited the event on site.
It is recommended that interested companies register by 14 October: www.ispo-congress.com/exhibit .