Rehabilitation Nursing: Role. Impact. Responsibility.
Rehabilitation Care Symposium
Organized by the VfP Academic Society and the Interest Group for Rehabilitation Nursing (IGRP):
Symposium Reha-Pflege: Rolle. Wirkung. Verantwortung.
Our nursing symposium invites you to actively contribute to shaping the future of rehabilitation nursing in Switzerland. Under the theme “Rehabilitation Nursing: Role. Impact. Responsibility,” we will address the key issues facing rehabilitation nursing in Switzerland. What sets our work apart? How can we raise the profile of rehabilitation nursing? What responsibilities do we bear as professionals?
First, Patrick Hässig—a nursing professional, podcaster, and politician—will share his perspective on the diversity of our work and how it is perceived by the outside world. As the highlight of the day, we will present the new position paper from AFG-Rehabilitation and IGRP. The discussion will be particularly lively during the interactive World Café, where we’ll be drawing on your experiences and perspectives. Together, we’ll reflect on and further explore the insights gained from these discussions from various angles.
This afternoon, you can look forward to a diverse overview of current practice and research. Topics range from promoting a culture that encourages physical activity in oncology care to innovative approaches in pediatric rehabilitation and the peer support concept at the Swiss Paraplegic Center. The presentations vividly demonstrate just how effective and diverse rehabilitation care is today. The program is complemented by a poster session with short presentations, which provides an opportunity for new ideas, projects, and networking. You are cordially invited to submit an abstract for a poster. Details can be found on page 3.
We look forward to your active participation and to an enriching day full of insights and inspiring encounters!
Target audience: Nursing professionals, experts in research, education, and management, as well as anyone interested in rehabilitation nursing
eLog: Die Veranstaltung wurde bei eLog registriert.
Program
8:30 a.m. | Registration and Welcome Coffee |
9:15 a.m. | Welcome Message AFG Rehabilitation / IGRP: Judith Wieland and Christian de Boitte Moderation: Cornelia Kazis |
9:25 a.m. | Showcasing the Diversity of Rehabilitation Care to the Public: Impact and Professional Responsibility Patrick Hässig |
Ten twenty-five | PAUSE |
11:00 a.m. | Strengthening Rehabilitation Care in Switzerland: New Position Paper by AFG Reha and IGRP Findings and Recommendations Based on a National Survey and Expert Panels Heidrun Gattinger, Lilian Zech, Sabine Gschwend |
11:45 a.m. | Finding Common Ground Through Dialogue – The World Café as a Space for Inspiration Heidrun Gattinger, Lilian Zech, Sabine Gschwend With active participation from the attendees |
12:30 p.m. | LUNCH |
1:30 p.m. | Key Findings from the World Café from Various Perspectives Research: Myrta Kohler Nursing Development: Brigitte Seliner Education: Manuela Kilic Management: Isabelle Herr Moderation: Cornelia Kazis |
2:00 p.m. | Poster Blitz: Brief Presentation of the Posters Poster Session – Individual Viewing Sabine Gschwend, Myrta Kohler, Judith Wieland |
2:45 p.m. | OnkoMoveNurse: Establishing a culture that encourages physical activity in the hospital to motivate cancer patients to be physically active Ramona Engst and Antje Koller |
3:05 PM | PAUSE |
15.30 | Research Meets Practice: Experience and Implementation of Perception- and Development-Promoting Rehabilitation Care (WERP) at Kinder-Reha Schweiz Anina Schiller and Andrea Gagliardi |
3:50 p.m. | By People with Disabilities, for People with Disabilities—A Look at Peer Support Work at the SPZ Ruedi Weiler (peer counselor) and Sara Fontana (peer counselor for family members) |
4:10 p.m. | Closing Remarks |
These individuals make up the organizing committee and are dedicated to putting on an exciting symposium
Judith Wieland (VfP, Co-Director, Children's Hospital Zurich)
Christian de Boitte (IGRP, Co-Chair)
Nadja Amman (VfP-APSI, Zielschlacht Clinic)
Nadja Wyrsch (VfP-APSI, Valens/Gais)
Ursula Blättler (VfP-APSI, Adelheid Clinic)
Martin Diethelm (VfP-APSI Office)
Call for Posters
The Rehabilitation Care 2026 Nursing Symposium offers you the opportunity to present your practice development or research projects to a dedicated professional audience. The poster exhibition is a valuable platform for direct exchange, networking, and showcasing innovative work in rehabilitation nursing.
We cordially invite you to submit your project and actively contribute to the diversity of content at the symposium. As part of the “Poster Blitz,” you will have the opportunity to present your project to the entire audience in one to two minutes. Your poster will then remain on display throughout the day, providing an opportunity for one-on-one discussions.
The poster exhibition will take place on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at the Volkshaus in Zurich.
AFG Rehabilitation Care is offering support for the poster exhibition. Please contact Judith Wieland for more information.
Submission: Please submit a brief summary (approx. ½ A4 page) of your practice development or research project by September 4, 2026, using the form below.
The organizing committee will review all submitted projects and notify authors by October 2, 2026, at the latest, whether their poster has been accepted.
Key facts at a glance:
- Submission deadline: September 4, 2026
- Notice: by October 2, 2026
- Event: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, Volkshaus Zurich
We look forward to receiving your submissions and to discussing them with you on November 24, 2026, in Zurich.
Sponsors:
