Summer School From Early Detection to Early Surveillance and Intevention in Children at Risk of Cerebral Palsy

This Summer School is organized by the University of Pisa as a part of a project funded by the European Commission “Born Together” with the support of the IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris. The 5-day course is a practical and immersive experience, covering the models, the procedures and instruments that are recommended internationally to plan and conduct clinical and research activities for early Detection, surveillance and intervention in children at risk for Cerebral Palsy (CP). It will be based on international guidelines, effective models of knowledge translation, and guided by good clinical and human ethics practice.

The course faculty will be constituted of international experts in the field of childhood disability research and clinical care.

The 5-day course will be divided in:

• Morning: theoretical teaching organized in lectures covering theoretical frameworks and models
• Afternoon: practical training in which participants will be directly involved to practise the design and the planning of care pathways and the elaboration of joint research and clinical activities
• Meet the expert sessions (morning and/or evening): personal experience sharing by international calibre professionals in the field of childhood disability

Aim

The aims of the Summer School are

• to raise awareness of the participants about the practical pathways for the implementation of Early diagnosis and Intervention guidelines of CP as feasible, sustainable and culturally modified for different environments
• to elevate the participants’ knowledge of the surveillance and early intervention methods and models
• to promote international collaboration for the advancement of early care and parallel research efforts with children at risk of CP and their families.

• Clinicians and researchers working in the disciplines related to rehabilitation of childhood disabilities with interest in performing research in this field
• Education:
  o Medical Doctors (specialists or residents in child neurology, child psychiatry rehabilitation medicine or paediatrics) or
  o Master degrees in allied disciplines dealing with childhood disabilities (such as physical, occupational, speech therapy, psychology, special education and other disciplines)
• PhD, or at least two publications in international peer-reviewed journals or one as the first author, or significant clinical expertise/experience
• Position -even if not permanent- in an academic or clinical institution involved in research/clinical activity, supported by letter of presentation of the responsible of the institution
• Living and working in a European country
• Fluency in written and spoken English (equivalence of B2 or higher)

At the end of the course the participants:

• Will be familiar with the recommended methods of early detection (ED), early surveillance (ES), and early intervention (EI) of CP
• Will have the tools to develop and promote a care Pathway for early ED of CP
• Will be aware of the specific challenges related to conducting clinical care and research with children at high risk of CP and their families, and be equipped to anticipate and overcome them
• Will be able to integrate the newly acquired knowledge to advance their practice clinical and research career
• Will be familiar with the international ED, ES and EI methods, differences and similarities in different socio-economic contexts
• Will be able to build on their knowledge to foster regional and international partnerships