Human Study’s SCOPe DAFO programme is bringing together orthotics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy expertise to train 34 rehabilitation professionals in Tunis. Participants are from the Centre d’Appareillage Orthopédique (CAO) and the National Institute M. Kassab of Orthopaedics.
Supported by Fondazione Mazzola, the programme is delivered in French and combines self-paced online learning, online consultations, an onsite clinical workshop and follow-up sessions through December 2026. The format connects structured learning with case discussion and practical work with children.
Lecture prepares participants for clinical workshop
On 2 September, the cohort took part in the Sepp Heim Memorial Lecture, organised with ISPO-Deutschland in honour of the late mentor. The lecture addressed contemporary approaches to treating children with cerebral palsy and complex movement disorders.
Speakers were PD Dr Chakravarthy U. Dussa, Head of Paediatric, Adolescent and Neuroorthopaedics at LMU University Hospital, Munich; Dr Peter Bernius, a specialist in paediatric and neuroorthopaedics at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital Aschau; and Prof. Dr Frank Braatz, Head of Technical Orthopaedics and Orthobionics at University Medical Center Göttingen.
The lecture helped prepare physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and orthotists for the onsite workshop, where the focus was on each child’s functional needs and goals, together with the priorities of their family.
Case-based teaching at CAO
From 28 September to 2 October, the clinical workshop was led by Michael Rexing, prosthetist and orthotist at adViva GmbH; Andrea Jagusch-Espei, occupational therapist at Schuchmann GmbH & Co. KG; Thilo Ulrich, physiotherapist at Rehaklinik Mosbach; and Verena Jorda, physiotherapist at Physiotherapie Jorda.
Working with children with cerebral palsy and spina bifida from Kassab Hospital and CAO, the teaching team provided treatment while demonstrating how orthotic management, physiotherapy and occupational therapy can work together. Participants and teachers assessed cases and discussed individual treatment plans.
Some cases required support beyond the planned intervention. The team fabricated an additional spinal orthosis for a child experiencing skin damage and seating difficulties, illustrating how clinical needs can call for collaboration across disciplines.
One mother whose daughter took part described feeling more relaxed as she saw the team work together: “I feel more relaxed. I see the team work.”
Follow-up continues through December
The learning will continue through December, with participants discussing cases in online sessions with Michael Rexing and applying what they have learned. Human Study thanked Fondazione Mazzola for supporting the programme, and CAO, Kassab Hospital, the teachers, participants and families for contributing to the shared training.
The programme presents a model of professional development that combines online study with in-person, case-based learning. Its emphasis on individual goals and family priorities also places the child’s lived context within multidisciplinary discussion.
Organisations interested in sponsoring a programme or exploring SCOPe training for their teams can contact Human Study.
- Human Study — add or confirm the preferred programme page before publication.
- Fondazione Mazzola
- ISPO-Deutschland
- Michael Rexing
- adViva GmbH