Carol Hawley, Chairperson, IPBIS
Beth Wicks and Ron Savage, Conference Co-Chairs
The International Paediatric Brain Injury Society (IPBIS) and the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) are pleased to announce that they will jointly hold the First International Conference on Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury on 16-18 September, 2015 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, England.
This will be the first global event that brings together all those involved in the identification, treatment and prevention of brain injury of children, adolescents, and young adults. The theme of the conference is Supporting Young People and Their Families to Maximise Good Outcomes and Quality of Life.
The scientific aim of the conference will be to explore current and innovative treatments, rehabilitation programmes, support mechanisms, and ways to improve the lives and potential of these young people and their families. The conference programme will be inclusive of all issues relating to every aspect of brain injury, both traumatic (i.e., external physical force injuries, penetrating injuries) and atraumatic (i.e., infectious diseases, tumours, stroke, neurotoxic poisonings). It is anticipated that attendees will be comprised of:
- Allied health professionals
- Clinicians
- Educators
- Legal professionals
- Neuropsychologists
- Physicians
- Therapists
This list is not exhaustive and the organisers encourage all multi-disciplinary professionals involved in paediatric brain injury to benefit from this valuable opportunity to engage with experts, gain insights, and establish new collaborations.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
The Scientific Planning Committee is developing a broad educational programme that will address a wide range of topics, including:
- The epidemiology of acquired brain injuries in children and adolescents from a world health care perspective.
- Evidenced-based research regarding the nature and efficacy of medical, clinical and educational treatment of acquired brain injuries in children and adolescents.
- The varied causes of ABI in childhood, including medical conditions and non-accidental traumatic injuries.
- Development of advocacy protocols to support families affected by paediatric ABI, towards affecting change at National and International levels.
- Models of innovative systems, services and supports for children/adolescents with ABI and their families.
- How to better recognise, manage and treat mTBI/Concussions in children/adolescents.
PROGRAM FORMAT
The first day of the conference includes two extended training sessions. The first session focuses upon “mTBI and Concussion” and is Co-Chaired by Dr. Audrey McKinlay and Dr. Michael Collins. The second session focuses upon “Family Advocacy and Resilience” and is Co-Chaired by Dr. Lucia Braga and Dr. Robert DePompei. Participants in either of these specialized, extended sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion.
The next two days of the conference include Plenary Speakers, Panel Presentations on specific topics, Selected Paper Presentations, and Selected Posters, including:
- Medical Rehabilitation of Complex Patients – Co-Chairs: Dr. Ingela Kristiansen and Dr. Peter Rumney
- Criminal Justice and Youth with ABI – Co-Chairs: Dr. Huw Williams and Dr. Lisa Turan
- Identification and Treatment of Atraumatic Brain Injuries – Dr. Sue Davie and Dr. Ava Easton
- Social Development after ABI – Co-Chairs: Dr Vicki Anderson and Dr. Katie Byard
- Developing International Standards of Care – Co-Chairs: Professor Christine MacDonell and Dr. Ron Savage
Plenary speakers to date include Dr. Bryan Kolb and Dr. Vicki Anderson, as well as several internationally selected speakers (TBA) on acquired brain injuries in paediatric and youth.
In addition, the organisers encourage the submission of original paediatric brain injury research for presentation at the conference. Abstracts will be scored by the Scientific Programme Committee and accepted work will be presented in either short oral presentions or as a poster. Abstract deadline is 9 March, 2015.
Submission categories are:
- Clinical outcome measurements
- Epidemiology
- Family supports/interventions
- Functional outcome measurements
- Legal: litigation issues
- Legal: criminal justice
- Life-long issues
- Mild brain injury
- Non-accidental injury
- Non-traumatic brain injury
- Prevention
- Rehabilitation: cognitive
- Rehabilitation: educational
- Rehabilitation: medical
- Rehabilitation: social and behavioural
- Sports concussion
- Transitions
Since Liverpool is home to John, Paul, Ringo and George, a special social event will include a “Beatle Celebration” with entertainment, buffet, and beverages included. An additional fee is required to participate in this event. The Social Event will take place on Thursday, 17 September, 2015 at 18.30 to 20.30 (6:30pm to 8:30pm).
Lastly, the conference will serve as a platform for the development of Guidelines for ABI in Children and Adolescents for presentation to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) UNESCO, particularly focusing on the concept of ABI as a chronic disease process. These Guidelines seek:
- To raise awareness about the magnitude, risk factors and impact of ABI globally.
- To draw attention to the preventability of brain injuries in children and present what is known about the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
- To make recommendations that can be implemented by all countries to effectively reduce ABI in children and adolescents.