VOD:
What is the topic of your Congress and how will it be structured?
We have proposed a topic that we believe is highly relevant today and notably after 2 years of pandemic: “Osteopathy: Building bridges towards the future of healthcare”.
The Conference itself is a combination of keynote presentations by an amazing line-up of international speakers on the morning sessions, and panel discussions with the audience after lunch that will be focusing on osteopathic identity and inter-professional collaboration. All with dual translation English/Spanish.
 
VOD:
What does the Congress make so special in your eyes and why should the German Osteopaths participate?
ROE 2023 will be a meeting point for European osteopaths to promote the professional development, enhance networking, disseminate research, and above all, to debate about the practice of Osteopathy within the multidisciplinary healthcare environment. In order to do that, we chose a wonderful place in front of the sea and a location (Mallorca) with easy access by plane from most of the airports in Germany. The price is also very good (450€) and does include 2 meals plus the coffee breaks on a 2,5 days conference.
 
VOD:
How did you come up with this very special Congress location?
After the 1st edition we held in Madrid in 2018, we thought Mallorca would be a perfect place for such an event. The pandemic forced us to postpone the edition we had planned for 2021 and we thought that ROE 2023 had to be held in the best possible place. The Hotel Nixe 5* has an ideal location and facilities and is 20 minutes from the airport. It will probably be the 1st osteopathic conference with a private beach… We want those who attend our conference to enjoy an unforgettable experience in addition to attending lectures of the highest academic level. So there’s also a “parallel program” that does include paddle-surf activities, wine tasting at DO Binissalem, Gala Dinner Dj party or a Palma guided tour
 
VOD:
Is there a link between the Congress and your political work for the profession? How is the political situation in Spain with respect to Osteopathy and its recognition in Spain?
Yes. It is important to remember that osteopathy is not yet recognised as an official healthcare profession in Spain. At ROE we are working to achieve this goal and conferences like these might help us to promote evidence-based practice without forgetting the particularities of the osteopathic approach. We think that dissemination of osteopathic research might be a key element towards regulation and recognition of our profession.
 
VOD:
In this context, why do you feel the exchange of Osteopaths on the European Level and the EFFO as platform is so important?
 
From a long term perspective, isolation -either at the Local/National or at the clinical level- is never a good idea. On the other hand, communication exchanges might allow all of us to grow or to develop on a faster way so they should be promoted.
 
On my view, the growth of the EFFO in the last 4 years has been enormous. This has been due, for the most part, to the collaboration of all its members and very specifically to networking: we share experiences, we learn from each other and that's simply great.
Actually, the change has been such that the organisation itself represents today something completely new, much more dynamic, much more professional, much more organised and much more representative. Out of this group work came the idea to completely revamp the image of the association and even to change its name: from March EFFO will become "Osteopathy Europe”. We put “Osteopathy” first and want to be the -unified- voice of our profession in Europe
 
VOD:
Is there anything else that you would like to let the readers of this interview know?
 
We have limited number of participants but we still have some places available here. If you’re planning to come, we strongly recommend you not to wait to make your registration. Flights and accommodation can be much cheaper when planned in advance.
 
Finally, thanks to the VOD Representatives for sharing this info with the Membership: another very good proof of networking and collaboration. See you all in Mallorca!
 
Thank you for this interview! 

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