Elena Moro (EM): As incoming co-chair of the Scientific Panel “Coma and chronic disorders of consciousness” can you briefly introduce yourself and your specific field of expertise to the Neuropenews readers.
Karin Diserens (KD): Specialised in Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation I have focused my activity on developing Neurorehabilitation by creating the first Neurorehabilitation centres in the French part of Switzerland. In 2009 we created a pilot acute neurorehabilitation unit at the Lausanne University Hospital. Our transversal interdisciplinary team evaluates the patients and prescribes the neurosensorial programme for the patients beginning their pathway in either intensive care, intermediate or acute care. Our research focuses on patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) to improve the diagnosis, the methodology of very acute verticalisation and outdoor therapy and communication by brain-computer interface.
EM: Can you outline the strategic work plan you foresee for the Scientific Panel that you co-chair?
KD: I would like
1. to harmonise the evaluation of DOC patients to reduce misdiagnosis in developing the validated scales.
2. to establish guidelines and standards of the acute neurosensorial programme.
3. to solidify the definition of the DRG or similar financial models to assure the acceptance of acute neurorehabilitation of DOC in intensive and intermediate care units and
4. to contribute to the education programme in order to develop this domain
EM: What is the main “deliverable” that you want to achieve for the work the Scientific Panel will address during your term of office?
KD: In our Scientific Panel we would liek to achieve
- A proposition for the evaluation of DOC
- Recognised European minimal standards of acute neurorehabilitation
- A procedure fofr international research collaboration
