Cooperation in the field of prostethics
Medical universities in Ternopil and Lviv are deepening their cooperation with Austrian partners in developing the specialty of "Prosthetics and Orthotherapy."
Ukraine needs high-quality rehabilitation and modern prosthetics every day. Therefore, academic partnerships are the fastest way to improve care standards. Training qualified prosthetists, orthotists, and rehabilitation specialists is a matter of survival and restoring human potential. Collaboration with Austrian institutions provides access to advanced methods and high-tech solutions proven in the EU. The expertise of Austrian specialists strengthens us through mentoring, updating curricula, and certifications – we are training staff who are already improving patients’ quality of life.
Therefore, joint initiatives between Ukrainian universities and Austrian partners enable us to implement modern practices and care standards more quickly.
On September 8, Professor Hubert Egger from the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences visited the Ternopil National Medical University again, accompanied by Martin Mühlbacher, Social and Health Attaché at the Austrian Embassy in Kyiv (BMASGPK).
On September 9, Professor Hubert Egger opened the “High-Tech Limb Prosthetics” course for master’s students in the field of “Prosthetics and Orthotics” at the Danylo Halytsky National Medical University (LNMU) in Lviv.
This visit marked the beginning of a lecture and internship course for master’s students from both universities in the field of “Prosthetics and Orthotics.”
Course duration: one semester.
Format: weekly online courses.
Completion: In-person examination in the presence of the professor; upon successful completion, students receive a certificate.
During the workshops, Professor Egger coordinated the lecture schedule, the practical exercises, and the examination procedure. The course combines the theoretical foundations of high-tech prosthetics with practical cases focused on the modern needs of Ukrainian patients. There are plans to continue and intensify the collaboration by
submitting a joint application for funding under the Erasmus+ program.
Professor Hubert Egger’s collaboration with the universities has already been ongoing for two years. At the beginning of June of this year, he gave a public lecture in which he outlined his 15 years of research experience on the neurobiological basis and clinical treatment of phantom limb pain. He presented prototypes of innovative systems that stimulate cortical representations using sensory interfaces and feedback mechanisms. This form of sensory substitution promotes
neuronal reorganization, stabilizes the subjective body schema, and enables a partial reconstruction of the sensation of the lost limbs.
We sincerely thank the Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences for its ongoing support in developing educational programs and training professionals – orthopedic technicians and rehabilitation specialists. Through our joint efforts, we are moving toward systemic changes in access to modern rehabilitation care in Ukraine.