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The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) has been providing high-quality internationally benchmarked entry-level education to occupational therapists and physiotherapists for 28 years. Our graduates are competent professionals serving clients in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and many other countries. We also offer excellent opportunities to practitioners and researchers for pursuing further education from a disciplinary-specific or multidisciplinary perspective in rehabilitation sciences. In order to achieve its mission of providing high-quality education and mediating professional development, our Department still has a lot to do in the future. Your support is vital to facilitate this process!

Please offer your support by making a donation. Your donation, no matter whether big or small, will make an impact on the future of rehabilitation in Hong Kong and throughout the world.

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Your BIG or small Donationwill make an Impact !

W I N T E R / 2 0 0 8

Also in this issue: Post-EarthquakeReconstruction Supportand Research Centrein Sichuanp.3

The 3rd Serena Yang LectureSeries in Rehabilitation Scienceswas held between 18th and 20thOctober 2008. Our honorablespeaker was Prof. MichaelMerzenich, who is ProfessorEmeritus of Physiology andOtolaryngology at the Universityof California, San FranciscoSchool of Medicine. Prof.Merzenich, who obtained a PhDin neurophysiology from JohnHopkins University in 1968, is aworld-renowned researcher onbrain plasticity, especially notedfor his research into the growthcapacity of the auditory systemand his invention of the Symbioncochlear prosthesis. He is anelected member of the UnitedStates National Academy ofSciences, and has received manyawards, including the ThomasAlva Edison Prize (for mostimportant medical invention) in1995 and the Purkinje Medal from the Czech Academy of Sciencesin 2003. He has published widely in the field of neuroscience,with more than 18 of his papers appearing in Science and Nature.Over the past 40 years, Prof. Merzenich has brought neuroscienceinto medical inventions and clinical applications, and owns more than 50 patents in the United States. He is the founder of the Scientific Learning Corporation and the Posit ScienceCorporation, and has invented many science-based, internationally recognized interventions, such as Fast ForWord, a reading and language learning program system for children

Cover Story

The 3rd SERENA YANG Lecture SeriesProfessor Chetwyn Chan

Chair Professor and Head of Department

with development impairments, and Brain Fitness, which seeks to prevent the loss of brain function arising from aging and other diseases.

Prof. Merzenich delivered a lecture and conducted twoworkshops in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, attracting a total of 400 participants, including researchers andpractitioners in rehabilitation, medicine, psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines such as engineering and textile technology. The lecture, held in Chiang Chen Studio, was titled "The Brain Plasticity Revolution."

We were part of it - the Paralympics sailing gameat Qingdaop.8

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Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Support & Research Centre

Dr. Kenneth Fong (Assistant Professor) Dr. Andy Cheng (Assistant Professor) and

Prof. Cecilia Li-Tsang (Associate Head)

Sichuan earthquake:

The magnitude-8 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan willprobably prove to be the worst natural disaster in Chinasince the quake in Tangshan in 1976. More than 69,000 people died; 220,100 were injured; about 18,000 were listedas missing; 4.8 million were left homeless; and 15 millionwere displaced. There has been a huge demand fororthopaedic and neurological rehabilitation for victims suffering from amputations, fractures, spinal cord injuriesand traumatic brain injuries. Many rehabilitation workersfrom Hong Kong have shown their deepest concern over thedisaster and everybody has been trying to give a helping

hand to the victims. As the sole provider of tertiary educationin physiotherapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), and prosthetics and orthotics (PO) in Hong Kong, the Hong KongPolytechnic University (PolyU) is no exception. The Universitysigned a memorandum with the Sichuan University shortlyafter the disaster. The Sichuan University - Hong KongPolytechnic University Post-Disaster Reconstruction Supportand Research Centre was set up immediately after the quake.

RS Activities

One of the goals is to "train the trainers"by organising an enhanced training programme for Sichuan's rehabilitationpersonnel. A rehabilitation task force, led

by Prof. Arthur Mak, Head & Chair Professor of HealthTechnology and Informatics (HTI), was set up with membersincluding Dr. Aaron Leung (HTI), Prof. Alice Jones (RS), Prof.Cecilia Li (RS), Dr. Si-jian Li (SN), Dr. Andy Cheng (RS),

The main theme was the notion that the human brain is plasticand its functions can be augmented in various ways. Using theauditory system and the temporal lobe as an example, Prof.Merzenich demonstrated that repeated representations of auditory signals can up-regulate the functions of the underdeveloped auditory system. The normalization process,which starts by training in the perception of sound, can subsequently be integrated into improving receptive and evenexpressive speech. He introduced similar concepts concerningthe augmentation of the cognitive functions of older adults andpeople with severe mental illnesses.

The two workshops focused on Prof. Merzenich's brainplasticity training programs Brain Fitness and Fast ForWord,which he developed through translational research. In both workshops, Prof. Merzenich started off by presenting evidenceestablished from animal research and then from human researchon its perceptual-then-functional framework. He also outlined the applications of this framework to computer-based training, as well as the efficacy of the training programs for improvingbrain functions.

What we learned from the 3rd Serena Yang LectureSeries was the importance of developing translational research inrehabilitation. In most cases, the ideas of clinical research comefrom the needs of patients and/or the discipline (or service).Nevertheless, as clinical research is applied in nature, it does notnecessarily have a strong component of knowledge acquisition.In his lecture, Prof. Merzenich demonstrated the process of usingthe results of bench research for designing clinical interventions.The experience gained from testing the efficacy of these

interventions can be used to further refine the bench research.These interactive processes have proven to be a rewardingmethod both for knowledge acquisition and for evidence-basedpractice. The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has emphasized translational research in the last few years, such asin the areas of neuroscience and neuro-rehabilitation. We arepleased that our vision is shared with a world-class scientist such as Prof. Merzenich.

We are looking forward to the next Serena Yang LectureSeries in Rehabilitation Sciences, which will take place sometimein April or May 2009. We sincerely thank Dr. Serena Yang for hergenerosity and support of this great event.

Training for OT workforce gets under way

The OT training crew for the OT training workshop: Benson Ip,Dominique Chow, Sharron Leung, Angela Tong, Andy Cheng,Kenneth Fong (from left to right)

A snapshot taken in the lecture theatre duringthe one-day integrated interdisciplinary train-ing seminar

Ways to transfer a patient with spinal cord injury - A workshop in West China Hospital, Sichuan University

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Post-Earthquake ENHANCED Trainingfor PT in Sichuan

Our physiotherapy team consists of faculty members, Prof. Gabriel Ng, Dr. Jack Lai and Sharon Tsang, and our experienced clinicians, Harriet Tang, Yuling Wang and TommyPoon. A one-day integrated interdisciplinary training seminarwas conducted on 23 July by Prof. Ng and a three-day training course was successfully held from 25 to 27 July. The concept of rehabilitation with reference to each individual discipline and, more importantly, the way to cooperate and deliver a multi-disciplinary approach to maximise the rehabilitation outcome of the injured, wereintroduced and reinforced during the one-day integrated

Prof. Gabriel Ng (Associate head)Dr. Jack Lai (Instructor)

Sharon Tsang (Clinical Associate)Harriet Tang

Tommy Poon and Yuling Wang

Our team members for the three-day training workshop (from left to right: Yuling Wang, Jack Lai, Tommy Poon, Sharon Tsang and Harriet Tang)

interdisciplinary training seminar. More than 80 peopleattended the physiotherapy training programme. The programme involved both the theory and the practice of physiotherapy evaluation and the management of complicated fractures, amputations and spinal cord injuries,the most commonly reported injuries resulting from the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan. Our team members were impressed and inspired by the cohesiveness and organisation of the working team in China West Hospital and the enthusiasm of the participants during this training mission.

Dr. Kenneth Fong (RS) and Dr. Elma Au (APSS). With the support of PolyU academics and clinicians from the industry,the task force was able to conduct three training workshopsthroughout the summer period, including a PT workshopfrom 25 to 27 July, an OT workshop from 1 to 3 August and aPO workshop from 5 to 10 August. The workshops focusedon the management and rehabilitation of amputations,spinal cord injuries and severe bone fractures. A one-dayintegrated interdisciplinary training seminar was organisedon 23 July and 30 July with nursing, social work and

rehabilitation experts outlining their roles in the management of patients. The three-day OT workshop consisted of 12 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials. Apost-teaching survey was conducted by Sichuan University,there were a total of 63 questionnaires distributed and theresponse rate was 77.9. Overall feedback from the

A home visit to temporay houses in Mianzhu city afterthe OT workshop

The splint-making workshop, West ChinaHospital, Sichuan University

A post-workshop visit to Chengdu Third Affilated People's Hospital

OT workshop was extremely promising andthere were no feedbacks for fair or poor. Someshared the view that more specialised trainingin OT intervention for injured victims should beconducted (See figure).

Feedback on OT workshop (n=49)

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Harriet Tang

Joining the training-the-trainer workshop inSichuan was definitely oneof the most amazing experiences in my life.It is not that we went

sightseeing or had a goodvacation; actually we didneither. However, I wasinspired by the people whocame to learn in Sichuanand by the team fromPolyU. I could feel the passion from every singleone of them. The local programme helpers werededicated to organising thebest training course for allthe students. The studentswere enthusiastic andeager to learn in allrespects. They had plenty of questions anddiscussion topics but noneof it was disrespectful ordefensive. I thought that

Tommy Poon

I was so glad that I wasone of the participants inthe programme, and I wasso honoured to be part ofthe team and that I couldoffer to work for them as avolunteer. I was impressedby the compassion of thepeople and workers atSichuan who workedaround the clock everyday -by what in their minds wasjust to offer help to thosewho needed it. During ourtraining programme, thetrainees were very seriousabout learning and theyasked lots of practicalquestions that would helpthe injured. In my personalopinion, the training classes were not really lectures to the trainees.Instead, it was the sharingof the rehabilitation experience with differentcase studies as there wereso many diagnoses and case studies that we might not have seen before.

From this unforgettable Sichuan experience, I learnedthat the victims really do need our help in many differentrespects. If I have the opportunity to volunteer to help again, I will be willing to take time off from work to go there. It is so

Our team members share their experiences of the programme below :

we had only done what we had to do. But theythought we had done a lotand they learned a greatdeal. The sincerity and thepassion of helping thepeople suffering from the earthquake had a strongimpact on me. They go from hospital to hospital bringing their own foodinstead of using theresources from the donations, not goinghome for days, workinguntil midnight. It is notbecause they are going tomake big money or getfamous, but because theycan help the people whoare suffering. I am gladthat I can help. I havelearned how to be a betterperson and I know there isa long way to go.

worthwhile to give up some of your personal time to help others. I will even recommend to my friends that they join volunteer programmes to give a helping hand. Once again, Ido feel thankful to PolyU for giving me the opportunity to goto Sichuan to help. I gained so much inspiration from this experience. It changed my point of view in life.

Assessing the condition of an adolescent suffering from lower limb amputation and ankle fractureInteraction with the participants during the question session

Practical class on spinal cord injury assessment and management at China West Hospital

Feedbacks on PT workshop (n=50)

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One World, OneDream. The dreambecomes reality in Qingdao. It was such a thrill for us, two physiotherapistsfrom Hong Kong, tobe there. It wasamazing, trulyamazing. Everyonehad a smile on theirface, contributedwhole-heartedly to the game. The courage of the athletes, enthusiasm of thevolunteers, dedication of theofficials, and theorchestrated effortmade this game better than a dream.I was honoured tobe part of it.Although life washectic in the physiotherapy clinic at Qingdao, I feel like I wasin heaven, celebrating "Transcendence, Integration andEquality". Although I have been a physiotherapist for the athletes with physical disabilities in Hong Kong for more than10 years, this game offered me some new and awesomeexperience. Apart from athletes, wealso treated classifiers, coaches, teamphysiotherapists, juries, as well asother technical officials who playedvery significant roles in the game.Together with Dr Mao, an experiencedChinese rehabilitation specialist, wework as a team and provide east-meets-west therapy service to our clients. Veryoften we exchange ideas and learn fromeach other, which also enhance the quality of rehabilitation service being

provided in the village. The experience was extremelyrewarding. Using mainly manual skills with some of the electrotherapies, athletes were able to race again withoutmuch pain and the officials were able to keep the regattarunning smoothly.

We would like to thank Dr Mao for looking after us, Dr Sheng Xueqi forallowing us to be part of the game. We are also grateful to BeijingOrganising Committee for the Gamesof the IIIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and also the sailing organizing committee in Qingdao for the arrangement and hospitality.

Congratulations to Qingdao, for the best ever paralympicsailing games!

the Paralympics sailing game

We were part of it -

Nicola MokAssistant Professor

Fantastic time in QINGDAO servingthe international sailing teams

We still feel so excited whenever we recallthe day whenBeijing successfullybid for the 2008Olympic Games. As we are bothphysiotherapy students and sports fans, beingable to take part in the OlympicGames by serving as physiotherapy volunteers for the sailing teamsfrom all around theworld was really like a dream cometrue for us.

We bothwere so impressedby the atmosphere in Qingdao, with thevividly coloured banners, the beautifully decorated flowerbeds,the powerful slogans and the friendly and helpful volunteers.

It truly reflects howenergetic this city andits people are, andhow excited they wereabout hosting thisinternational sportsevent.

We receiveda very warm welcomefrom Dr. Mao, thesupervisor of the therapy/massage team upon our arrival.

The local therapists and massage volunteers were amazing; they were super friendly and always helpful. It has been a veryfruitful trip for us as our Putonghua, Chinese massage and physiotherapy skills have been improved significantly with the daily practice we had in the Olympic village.

The workingexperience with the professional physiotherapists wasgreat as we werereally inspired bytheir knowledge andskills, and we alsohad the chance toapply what we hadlearned at the university in treatingthe athletes.

When weentered the Austriansailing base and the Olympic village,we could really experience the greatness of theorganising committeeof this event withtheir thoughtful arrangement and planning.

We had lots of chances to work with athletes from different countries, and we were very impressed by the elitesportspersons, particularly those from our country, China. Wecould see their determination and commitment to their trainingand competition through their conversation, attitude and spirit.Now, when we see the photos we took with them, it brings backvividly the precious moments we had with them during the treatment sessions.

The beautifulscenery, the warm andwelcoming hospitality of the people inQingdao, the spirit of the Olympic Games andits participants, all madethis trip extremely memorable to us. Wetreasure this valuableexperience of a lifetime,and we are very proud to have been part of the Games, too!

Student's Activities

Stephanie Au and Isaac LukYear Three Physiotherapy Students

Members of the physiotherapy team

Photos with the five Beijing Olympicmascots

Isaac working on an athlete from the sailing team

at QINGDAO

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It was my honour to undertake the PGDP in Hangzhou. Thepurpose of the internship was not only for me to gain professional skills but was also to strengthen my life skills.During my internship at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Iimproved my communication, teamwork, leadership, creativityand problem-solving skills through observation and hands-onexperience. All these are important qualities for my futurecareer. Most importantly, I met many student trainees there.They helped to improve my Putonghua.

Tsang Tsz Shan, FeanYear Two Occupational Therapy Student

My colleagues were surprisingly friendly and nice. We usually went out to have lunch together and we could talkfreely like friends. We often exchanged our views on differentsubjects such as hospital settings, clients' attitudes towardshealth care professionals, the therapeutic value of activities,the school curriculum, and even politics and family values. It is quite interesting to know that their ways of thinking areso widely different from ours, and I think I have benefited alot from the communication.

Wong Yuk Ki, VickieYear Two Occupational Therapy Student

Preferred Graduate DevelopmentProgramme, SAO - A placementin the BoAi Children'sRehabilitation Centre in SHANGHAI

I went to the BoAi Children's Rehabilitation Centre for an internship this year, and it was an unforgettable experience. I had the great opportunity to interact with children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities. Duringthis period, I not only learned a lot about what rehabilitation therapists can do for their clients, but it was also a valuablelife lesson to hear different stories. It makes me think thatalthough I might provide only a simple training or stretching,the meaning of that training or stretching could be huge forthose children. I feel so proud of what my future job as anoccupational therapist could bring to others!

Wa Chung, Jimmy Year Two Occupational Therapy Student

Hong Kong Physiotherapy ConcernEXCHANGE TOUR to Taiwan 2008

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Concern organised anexchange tour to Taiwan with the topic of"Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and SportsPhysiotherapy" from 29 July to 2 August. During the five-day tour, we visited Chang Gung University (CGU),Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), Wan FangHospital (WFH), and National Taiwan University (NTU) as well as its hospital (NTUH).

Having visited physiotherapy departments and communicated with the physiotherapists in the hospitals, we are more familiar with the clinical settingand medical systems in Taiwan. We observed how theytreat the patients and communicate with them. Our visits helped us develop a better understanding of thephysiotherapy management of patients with differentpathological conditions, and we also gained knowledgein cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. By showing us experiments while providing detailed explanations, andby introducing us to relevant equipment in the research laboratories, the members from CGU and NTU alsobroadened our horizons.

Year Two Physiotherapy Students

It was definitely a valuable experience for us to interact with the physiotherapy students there. We now know more about the differences in the curricula between our PT programmes. We hope to beable to keep in touch with each other and promote international interaction and cooperation between PTstudents in the future.

When organising the exchange tour, weencountered difficulties such as finding sponsorship andcontacting universities and hospitals in Taipei. We reallyworried about the budget of the tour and the number ofparticipants. Fortunately, with the effort of the organising committees, the tour was successful andgave a memorable experience to all the participants.

Finally, we appreciate Dr. Grace Szeto for giving us valuable advice and Ms. Sharon Tsang whowas our participatingˇadvisor. Also, we sincerely thank the PolyU Rehabilitation Sciences department and the Student Affairs Office (SAO) for sponsoring us. Last but not least, we would like to thank the organising committees.

Preferred GraduateDevelopmentProgramme (PGDP) SAO - A placement in the Sir Run RunShaw Hospital in HANGZHOU

Wong Pik Yan, Jenny Year Three Occupational Therapy Student

Joint PolyU/HarvardUniversity StudentVolunteer Programme 2008

In August, we had the great chance to participate in the Joint PolyU/HarvardUniversity Student Volunteer Programme 2008. We were very excited to serve thechildren in the orphanage along with four students from Harvard University.

Some children in the orphanage have disabilities; some have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy or are mentally handicapped. We were so happy thatPolyU and Harvard University collaborated in planning and holding the activities forthe children. In the project, we had lots of group activities with the children. Otherthan playing games, we had some activity-based English lessons. The childrenlearned vocabulary through games, singing and dancing. They also enjoyed the artsand crafts sessions. Their art talents were shown in their lovely paintings and beautiful lanterns. Other enjoyable moments included going out to the park and hiking with the children. For some of the younger children and those children withdisabilities or developmental delays, we applied our OT knowledge in the activitiesthat we provided.

On the last day in the orphanage, the children performed singing and dancing to bid us farewell. We miss their smiling faces. It was a valuable experience to work with these children.

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I am honoured to have been selected to have an attachment-to-hand team at the Chinese People's LiberationArmy 401 Hospital in Qingdao during this summer. The handteam is famous for toe-hand transplantation surgery. I saw agreat variety of patients: those with degloving injuries, multi-finger cuts, whole hand or whole arm cuts resultingfrom industrial accidents.

Our duties were to conduct assessments, providesplinting and pressure garments, andcarry out sensory re-education programmes. We, as OccupationalTherapy (OT) students, also gave presentations to share the tendon cutsplinting protocol used in Hong Kong andthe rehabilitation of cumulative trauma disorder.

I accompanied the doctors during the consultation sessions at theoutpatient department. I met patientsfrom different cities. I helped with conducting assessments, teachingpatients ADL (activity of daily living) precautions and adjusting splints. Themost valuable part was listening to theexplanations made by the doctors; theyexplained clearly about the diagnoses,assessments and prognoses. They werean encyclopaedia of pathology!

The most unforgettable experience was watching surgeries inoperation theatres. I saw tenolysis,removal of internal fixators, taking skinflaps from a leg and using them to cover

A Memorable Trip to QINGDAO

the injured site on the abdomen, and removal of extrathumbs. I was very impressed by the renowned toe-handtransplantation. In order to take one toe from each foot andtransplant it to the hand, six doctors worked at the sametime. I witnessed doctors retrieving retracted tendons fromthe fingers-amputated hand, and taking nerves, arteries,veins and tendons from the toes. The doctors had wonderfulsurgical skills to dissect delicate vessels and connect them to the recipient site. During the surgery, the doctors helped me to identify different structures, and asked me questions

about the patient's rehabilitation. I reallyadmire their skills andtheir passion for helping patients. I am also proud of China for having such skilful doctors who take the lead in the field of hand transplantation surgery.

Here, I wouldlike to thank theDepartment ofRehabilitation Sciencesfor giving me this invaluable opportunity. My special thanks go to all the doctors, rehabilitation practitioners and coordinators at the 401Hospital for their warmesthospitality! I wish I couldgo there again for anothervisit in the future!Fabricating a splint

Physiotherapy Internship Programme inHANGZHOU, CHINA

We have participated in the Preferred Graduate DevelopmentProgramme (PGDP) organised by the SAO this summer. Thisinternship programme offered us a fruitful learning experience inHangzhou. We were attached to the Zhejiang University FirstAffiliated Hospital and the Zhejiang University Second AffiliatedHospital for a month. These two hospitals provide acute care andmanagement to their clients. The concept of East meets West isone of the unique features of the services provided by the ehabilitation departments of these two hospitals. Conventionalphysiotherapy is combined with traditional Chinese therapeuticssuch as acupuncture and Chinesemassage therapy. This approachaims to achieve a better outcomeof the therapy by incorporatingthe desirable effects of bothwestern and eastern therapiesfor the clients.

We found the experience of learning the concepts and application ofacupuncture and Chinese massage therapy to be very valuable and interesting. It wasamazing to see how effectivethese therapies were in relievingthe symptoms of the clients we

observed during our internship period. The application ofacupuncture has become more and more popular all around theworld. Practitioners in western countries have also incorporatedthis needling technique into their clinical practice for many years. As students from Hong Kong, we treasure very much the opportunity we were given to learn and practice acupuncture andChinese massage therapy, which were originally invented anddeveloped in our country.

Hangzhou is also named "Heaven in the World", whichis really reflected in the natural beauty of this place. There are

many remarkable places forsightseeing; for example, theWest Lake that is famous for itsbeautiful scenery. The productLongjin tea from Hangzhou isalso worth mentioning as theexport business of Longjin teato many other countries is really big. Overall, we all verymuch enjoyed the experiencewe had in Hangzhou, and wewant to encourage our fellowstudents to participate activelyin this type of programme toenrich their learning duringtheir years at PolyU.

Lau King Fung, Simon Year Three Occupational Therapy StudentFranky Wong, David Chow and Patrick Kwong

Year Three Physiotherapy Students

Watching surgery in the operation theatre.

Visit to Qingdao Brewery

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Workers who sustainedmusculoskeletal injuries used to receive physiotherapy from theacute stage through to the rehabilitation stage. One of the most important objectives of rehabilitationnow is to help injuredworkers to return to work(RTW). Triage carried outby physiotherapists at theacute stage ensures optimal use of resourcesand early intervention forpatients at risk. Early physiotherapy interventions include painmanagement, educationand active rehabilitation. A physiotherapist shouldalso evaluate a worker'sfunction and the demandsof the job by, for example,functional capacity evaluation and job analysis, to derive a rehabilitation plan that istailored to the worker's needs. Nordin et al. (2007) mentionedthat active and goal-oriented physiotherapy should be the firstcourse of treatment to maintain fitness, to increase the patient'ssense of control and to change negative beliefs about pain.

In my hospital, the RTW programme is a multi-disciplinary programme. Effective early pain management andrehabilitation relies on collaboration between the Department ofOrthopaedics, the Pain Clinic (anaesthetist, clinical psychologistand pain nurse) and the Physiotherapy Department.

The aim of our programme is to prevent chronicity byimplementing the biopsychosocial model of care. The physiotherapist is the gatekeeper who refers workers with redflags or with organic pathologies to an orthopaedic surgeon within a reasonable period of time. Workers with psychosocialrisk factors are referred to the Pain Clinic, according to a specificprotocol. The physiotherapist performs psychosocial screeningwhen necessary by using a questionnaire; for example, theOrebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ).

Our physiotherapists also use an active rehabilitationmodel that emphasises workers' education: to reduce fear avoidance behaviour, workers are advised to stay active but to

avoid strenuous activity; to encourage appropriate physical activity, workers are taught back exercises or put onto a physicalconditioning programme. The focus of an exercise programme isthe physical demands of the injured worker's duties. An optimalexercise programme depends on precise examination of apatient's function or limitation as a result of the current pathology and the demands of the work. Both self-perceivedfunctional tests and performance-based functional tests are performed when necessary. Physiotherapists also perform work-related ergonomic evaluation.

However, success of the RTW programme relies not only on the efficacy and efficiency of the healthcare services, but also on the readiness of other stakeholders, including theemployer and insurance provider, and on government legislation.In the Hospital Authority, these perspectives are looked after bythe Occupational Medicine Service teams.

Reference: Nordin M, Anderson GBJ & Pope M: MusculoskeletalDisorders in the Workplace: Principles and Practice, 2nd edition,Mosby 2006.

WORK Rehabilitation -

Rainbow LawSenior Physiotherapist

Alice Ho Nethersole Hospital

A successful work rehabilitation programme relies on a multi-disciplinary effort.

Clinical Specialty :

The Elderly Health Services area of theDepartment of Health was established in 1998 with the mission to provide quality primary health care services to the elderly. Eighteen visiting health teams and 18 elderly health centres (EHC) were established. Together with three other allied health professionals, the occupational therapists (OTs) help to provide multi-disciplinary input to the services so as to improve elders' self-careskills, promote a healthy lifestyle, strengthen family support and minimise illnesses and disabilities.

The OT has a dual role in clinicalservice and health promotion. The OTprovides individual assessment and healthcounselling to EHC members and conveneseducational activities such as lifestyleredesign workshops, chronic knee pain andfall prevention support groups.

In the outreachhealth promotion activities, the OT uses the train-the-trainerapproach to foster independence and safety amongst elders.The OT's focus includes environmental assessment, aids adaptation and appropriate activities for elders with dementiain private residentialcare homes.

The OT activelyparticipates in publicity programmes such as TVand radio interviews,and press briefings, andprovides professionalinput to various productions like newspaper columns,books and DVDs.

in Elderly Health ServicesOccupational Therapists

Elderly Health ServicesDepartment of Health

Our new publication in 2008.

The Role of the Physiotherapist

Roles of Occupational Therapy

A game booth to promote home safety for demented elders.

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CongratulationsBirthday Lunch with Dr. Serena Yang

We would like to congratulate Ms. Rebecca Wong for receiving the RS Outstanding Teaching Award 2007-08. Ms. Wong joined the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2000and is dedicated to teaching, which has gained the admirationof both her students and her colleagues. She is a highly committed teacher who inspires and stimulates students tolearn. Ms. Wong is also actively involved in various learningand teaching activities including establishing a web-basedlearning resource and organising clinical educator workshops.We wish her every success in her future endeavours.

RS Outstanding Teaching Award 2007-08

FAREWELL

After serious consideration, I have decided to return toAustralia to chase the sunshine and fresh air, to pick up golf as aleisure activity and to write a new chapter for my career, probablythe final chapter.

I take this opportunity to thank Baboo Dasari, whochanged my life by offering me a job in 1994. Being a rebel andadvocate for the clients and students that I serve and teach, mymotto is "We can make a difference and we can be different!"Thanks to the friendship from colleagues, and, most of all, thepositive support and encouragement from students - these havegiven me the energy and purpose to continue teaching in HongKong over the last 14 years.

I see myself as a global citizen; the world is my home.So I have not left for anywhere, but I am just changing my working site, which is only seven hours away from Hong Kong byflight with only a two-hour time difference.

I wish you all the best. I will be thinking of you when Iam playing golf or drinking in the sunshine.

Kumi College, Korea

Summer Science and Technology Academy

Curtin University of Technology, Australia

Students from Harvard University, USA

Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore Chinese Association of Physical Medicine

and Rehabilitation

"There is no feast that never ends" Dr. Matthew Yau

Assistant Professor

News

Visitors to Our Department

July 2-112008

July 92008

July 21 &September 16

2008 August 14

2008

July 252008

September 52008

September 262008

Visit of Mr LI Ling, Deputy Director General of Education,

Science and Technology Dept., Liaison Office of the

Central People's Government in the HKSAR

18 19

Editors’ Corner

Editors: Ms Sharon M H Tsang &Ms Wood P S Lee

Department of Rehabilitaion Sciences

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Tel: 2766 4332

Fax: 2330 8656

Email: rsstsang@polyu.edu.hk

Taipei International Invention Show

(25-28 September, 2008)

Dr. Michael Wong, research associate, has been awarded thegold medal in the 2008 TaipeiInternational Invention Show for hisdesign of an adhesive/hand-freemuscle tension detector.

Outstanding Academic Achievement

MSc in Geriatric Rehabilitation HO Mang Wye

MSc in Manipulative Physiotherapy CHENG Chung WaiCHAU Man Leung CHEUNG Chi Ho HUI Wai ManLO Yu KinTAM Chun SunTANG Suet FanWONG Che LoongCHEUNG Choi FaLAI Wai Chi

PgD in Manipulative Physiotherapy NG Chi Keung

MSc in (Occupational Therapy) CHAN Kar Lock KHO Yiting, Adeline LEUNG Pak Kei LIN Guohui NG Ka Yan, Adelina OW YONG Sok Mun TSUNAKA, Megumi

MSc in Health Care (OTM) CHAN Yau Kam, Donna NG Tsz Kwan, Janny

MSc in Health Care (PTM) FAN Wing LokHO Yuen BingHUNG Wai Yi, WinnieKWOK Man KitLAU Wai KinLEONG Bik SaiPHANG Yuen WangTSANG Hin Cheung

MSc in Health Care (DDM) LEE Wai LingWONG Chi Kwan, CatherineWONG Ching Yee

Physiotherapy (Year One) CHENG Yui KwanCHENG Ting Yiu, Yoyo LUN Ka Yi, Carina DASWANI, Dinisha Deepak

Physiotherapy (Year Two) CHOY Kwok TingWONG Kai TingCHEUNG Hiu ChunWONG Yin Lam

Physiotherapy (Year Three) KU Siu TingCHEE Swee Haw

Occupational Therapy (Year One) CHENG Lai ShanLI Jingwen

Occupational Therapy (Year Two) JIM Chung Ho

Occupational Therapy (Year Three) YUEN Miu Ching

PROMOTIONWe would also like to congratulate the following staff for their promotions:

Ms. Judy Lam is promoted to Executive Officer.

Mr. Philip Ng is promoted to Technical Officer.

Ms. Cathy Ng is promoted to Senior Secretary.

RS Commencement Ceremony for Academic Year 2008/9 - Congratulations to students

Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Outstanding Student

Award 2007/2008

Physiotherapy (Year One) CHENG Ting Yiu, Yoyo

Physiotherapy (Year Two) CHEUNG Hiu Chun

Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association OutstandingAcademic Award 2007/2008

Occupational Therapy (Year One) CHAN Tin Yan

Occupational Therapy (Year Two) JIM Chung Ho

Occupational Therapy (Year Three) YUEN Miu Ching

Dr. Kong Footcare Overseas Clinical Placement Scholarship

Physiotherapy (Year Three) CHAN Wing Shan TSANG Lai YingLI Sin HanCHENG Yuen Ting YEUNG Lok Tin LAM Chui Yi NG Cheuk Chi

Prof. Alan S.F. Tam Memorial Scholarship 2007/2008

Occupational Therapy (Year Two) YU Shuk YiuLO Chiu PingCHEUK Ka LaamTSANG Hing ToPO Shu Sun

Occupational Therapy (Year Three) LEUNG Shuk FanLI Suet YingMAN Sin TingWAN Man Leong

Cynthia Tang Memorial Scholarship 2008/2009

Occupational Therapy (Year One) WANG Yixuan DONG Anqin

Lee Wing Tat Physiotherapy Clinical Prizes 2008/2009

Physiotherapy (Year Two) CHEUNG Hiu Chun

Physiotherapy (Year Three) KU Siu Ting

Dr. Lee Sai Wing Memorial Scholarship 2008/2009

Physiotherapy (Year Two) CHEUNG Hiu Chun

Occupational Therapy (Year Two) WONG Yin Ping

WINTER / 2008

The RS 25th Anniversary: Student Overseas ClinicalPlacement Scholarship 2008/2009

Physiotherapy (Year Two) WONG Kai Ting

Occupational Therapy (Year Three) LUI Wai Yan

Pauline Jenks Memorial Scholarship 2007/2008

Occupational Therapy (Year Two) JIM Chung Ho

Postgraduate Scheme in Rehabilitation Sciences EntranceScholarships

MSc in OT YIM Wan CheeLIN Guohui

Occupational Therapy Scholarship for Specialisation

MSc in OT LIN Guohu

Scholarships for Postgraduate Scheme in Rehabilitation Sciences

MSc in Manipulative PT NG Wai Lun, Edmund TONG Wai Kit

MSc in OT CHAN Kar Lock

MSc in Sports PT WONG Ka Ki