Biennium report 2023

BIENNIUM REPORT 2021-2023 30 Sweden What does being part of ISPO mean for your member society? Being part of ISPO for us means contributing and collaborating within a global community of individuals all towards increasing knowledge of - and access to - mobility assistive devices such as prostheses, orthoses, and wheelchairs. What were your main objectives and goals as a member society during the biennium? Our main objective was to continue to offer opportunities for our members to collaborate and learn. How has the membership base of the society changed during the biennium, and what strategies have been implemented to attract and retain members? As our physical membership had stagnated during the pandemic, we needed to be able to offer activities in light of the restrictions. This meant doing a great deal virtually, including monthly webinars. Additionally, given our familiarity with virtual strategies, we were able to maintain good relationships internationally between National Member Societies. Most notably, the North Sea Group, which is the defacto Local Organizing Committee of the World Congress in Stockholm 2025. What do your members expected from ISPO International? The main thing our members expect is value for money when it comes to their membership fees. What have been your Member Society’s main challenges and drawbacks this biennium? The challenges of the pandemic were substantial in the first half of the biennium, but the challenge in the second half was transitioning away from the activities (or mindset) of the pandemic. How did the society support professional development for its members during the biennium? 1 . We invested in a new webpage for increased access and contact with our membership. https://www.ispo-s.se/ 2 . We completed a 1-day course on the team approach to orthotic care of individuals requiring spinal orthoses. 3 . We held webinars on topics of interest (Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, Health-related quality of life for individuals with multiple limb loss, Clinical Gait Analysis, Rehabilitation following amputation, to name a few). https://www.ispo-s.se/aktiviteter/ 4. We provided a one-day course on surgical and rehabilitation care of individuals with limb loss. 5 . We planned a Scientific Meeting in Stockholm for June 2023. This will be jointly planned by the NMS of Sweden and Norway. Additionally, we have invited all members of the North Sea Group. https://www.ispo-s.se/save-the-date-scientific- meeting-2023/ How does your member society use the new ISPO Community platform? We have begun to familiarise ourselves with the platform. How did/does your member society contribute to the following: P&O Day, and ISPO World Congress? 1 . We will organize the 2025 Congress in Stockholm. 2 . We have started a process to develop a joint activity amongst ISPO-Sweden and the national P&O professional associations (P&O and technicians) to celebrate International Prosthetics and OrthoticsDay, 2023. What is the society’s plan for the future, and how does it intend to continue serving its members and advancing ISPO’s mission? Our aims for the future include: 1 . To grow the NMS membership by offering quality activities that provide value to members. 2 . To further develop the collaboration via the North Sea Group 3 . Together with our North Sea colleagues, we plan to deliver the best World Congress to date in 2025 in Stockholm. Thailand What does being part of ISPO mean for your member society? ISPO to us means being part of a worldwide community, expanding our networks, and making a positive contribution to the national and international P&O community. What were your main objectives and goals as a member society during the biennium? ISPO Thailand has created strong support for Thai P&O professionals, as well as related disciplines, including collaborations with other ISPO Member Societies around the world. We also highlight the sharing, updating, and exchanging of P&O knowledge, experience, and skills among professionals with the aim to positively impact the P&O service and quality of life of the Thai people with disabilities. How has the membership base of the society changed during the biennium, and what strategies have been implemented to attract and retain members? The current number of ISPO Thailand membership is smaller, compared with other countries due to several factors, hence,