Amidst the backdrop of a pandemic that continues to evolve, over 1,200 members of the healthcare industry—itself front and centre in the battle against COVID-19—came together online for two days of the first digital edition of annual premier healthcare platform CAREhab 2020 and conference element the 6^th Singapore Rehabilitation Conference 2020. 

Co-organised by SingEx Exhibitions and the Society for Rehabilitation Medicine  (Singapore), the two-day live virtual event was hosted on CAREhab GO, an integrated digital platform built by SingEx and dedicated to the needs of the healthcare community. The two live days of CAREhab 2020 featured a carefully curated programme of expert-led keynotes, conference tracks, sandbox sessions, networking and collaborative activities, as well as a virtual exhibition showcase. Registered members continue to enjoy refreshed content on the platform in addition to continued learning, conversations and connections.

Over 1,200 members of the healthcare community from over 30 countries led by Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia engaged in live content and conversations over the two days. International participants accounted for about 20% of overall attendees. 900 participants attended the in-person event in 2019.  

James Boey, Executive Director of SingEx Exhibitions, also noted the robust numbers and international representation, as well as online engagement over the two days, as a testament from the healthcare community that the demand for continuous learning and connecting remains high—if not higher—in the new normal. 

The CAREhab community comprises physicians, residents, allied health professionals, full-time academics and healthcare innovators and providers, fostering conversations and engagements grounded on advancing medical practices and encouraging better quality of care—topics that resonate even more strongly in the current pandemic environment. 

Asst. Prof. Geoffrey S Samuel, Consultant at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Singapore General Hospital, during his opening remarks. “On top of the three main tracks—neurology, geriatrics and cancer rehabilitation, we also sourced for new material regarding how to perform rehabilitation in a pandemic setting. Through new cutting-edge technology integrated in this digital platform, we want to facilitate the interaction between the different disciplines, and to explore the continuation of care in this new environment we live in."

Winning hearts with true stories of survival and strength 

The event featured an international line-up of over 50 speakers, including visionaries like Dr James McDeavitt, SVP & Dean of Clinical Affairs at Baylor College of Medicine, USA; Dr Federica Gamna, Physiatrist, Head of Complex Disability Rehabilitation at San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Italy; and Dr Effie Chew, Senior Consultant,

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Neurology, University Medicine Cluster at National University Hospital, Singapore. Speakers were also engaging with the community in real time to address their questions. Real stories of survival and strength resonated strongly over the two-day live conference. All sessions are still available for delegates to view on demand on the CAREhab GO platform.

Community rehabilitation; psychological impact of caregiving emerges as top interests

Community rehabilitation discussions around programmes helped patients reintegrate back into the community with aims of optimising independent living, such as Dr Effie Chew’s track on the iMove programme. 

Effective communication between caregiver and patient is an important element which can significantly influence a patient’s rehabilitation journey. "Aphasia is a complex and invisible condition that has a profound impact on the lives of the individuals who suffer from it. At Aphasia SG, we believe that communication is a basic human right and that everyone in society can play a part to make our environment more inclusive and aphasia-friendly." shared Ms Evelyn Khoo, Founder of Aphasia SG. 

Over 200 virtual meetings were facilitated between exhibitors and event participants, 70% of which were confirmed on the CAREhab GO digital platform. Delegates and event participants can continue connecting with content and fellow community members on the CAREhab GO platform, as well as via a dedicated discussion group currently with over 1,000 members including speakers on Interchange, Asia’s premier community platform for cross-industry connection and collaboration. 

For more information, please visit the CAREhab GO platform or the official CAREhab website.