idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Judith Gartmann impressed the Board of Trustees with a case report from a study. The work focuses on an innovative approach to medical rehabilitation for people with cognitive and/or multiple impairments.
High recognition for a staff member at the Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at Hannover Medical School (MHH): Judith Gartmann was awarded the 2026 Zarnekow Research Grant for Rehabilitation Research yesterday in Leipzig. The prize is awarded annually by the German Society for Rehabilitation Sciences (DGRW) to young scientists whose work makes an outstanding contribution to the research and improvement of therapies. The award, endowed with 5,000 euros, is sponsored by the Illa and Werner Zarnekow Foundation.
Gaps in care can be closed
Judith Gartmann, 39, works as a research assistant in the Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. Her award-winning work is titled “Challenges in the rehabilitative care of people with cognitive and/or multiple impairments – a report on experiences from a pilot study.” The young researcher herself was involved in conducting the study. “People with intellectual and/or multiple disabilities often do not receive the medical rehabilitation they actually need,” explains the award winner. “With the pilot study, we were able to demonstrate that it is possible to change that.” In the study, a new individualized rehabilitation concept was tested and evaluated with 15 patients. What makes the concept unique: A multidisciplinary team with sufficient time is available, and rehabilitation measures take place not only in a clinical setting but also at home, at the workplace, in sports facilities, or on public transportation—tailored to the personal needs of the participants. When necessary, joint therapies were conducted by physical and occupational therapists. Family members and caregivers were also involved in the project. The pilot study ran from June 2023 to November 2024. It shows that the gap in care was closed in all 15 cases using the individualized and community-oriented rehabilitation concept.
Detailed Description
In her report, Judith Gartmann details the unique challenges of this innovative approach to medical rehabilitation for people with complex impairments. In doing so, she contributes to the further development of new research and practical approaches for improved care of those affected. This convinced the Foundation’s Board of Trustees when selecting this year’s Zarnekow Prize winner.
Position Paper on Rehabilitation
The award ceremony took place during this year’s Rehabilitation Science Colloquium of the German Pension Insurance from March 24 to 26. In conjunction with and parallel to the congress, a position paper by the Scientific-Medical Alliance for Rehabilitation was published. It is titled “Medical Rehabilitation of People with Pre-existing Impairments/Disabilities – Challenges and Areas for Action” and is available on the website http://www.reha-allianz.de. This comprehensive position paper is the result of intensive work by approximately 20 contributors, coordinated jointly by the Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine at the MHH (Dr. phil. Christoph Egen) and the Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Lübeck (Prof. Dr. phil. Matthias Bethge).
SERVICE
For further information, please contact Dr. phil. Christoph Egen, egen.christoph@mh-hannover.de.
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/a-2675-0855.pdf
Award winner Judith Gartmann.
Copyright: Imke Theis
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