The interview

Astrid Vermeersch, Belgium

What is your profession?

I am a physician specialised in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, currently working at the GZA hospitals Antwerp, Belgium

How is the rehabilitation treatment of spine diseases managed in your country?

In Belgium, when scoliosis is suspected, patients are referred to a specialist, usually a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, but often also to a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician.

Scoliosis: how is it treated?

In my country, the management of spine diseases primarily includes bracing, and in cases where non-surgical methods are not sufficient, surgery is considered.

What aspects of actual clinical practice would you like to see improved in your country?

I will definitely incorporate the clinical tests I have learnt here into my practice. Additionally, I will apply the principles of exercise therapy I have learnt during the course. This will help enhance collaboration and referral pathways to colleagues specialised in brace therapy.

How did you find out about ISICO and the Online Scoliosis Master Course?

I heard about the course through a colleague who had previously attended it.

Are you satisfied with what you have learnt, and if you had to recommend it, what would you say?

Yes, absolutely! I have learnt a lot. I also took the opportunity to observe the practice for a week. Seeing it applied in real-life situations was a significant added value for me, helping me create a clear framework that I will apply in the future.

Write some lines about your visit to the ISICO clinic in Milano.

I had the opportunity to spend a week at the ISICO clinic in Milan, where I was warmly welcomed by the doctors, physiotherapists and other staff. During my visit I observed various aspects of scoliosis management, including exercise therapy, clinical assessments, clinical reasoning, brace checks and follow-ups. It was a valuable experience that gave me deeper insights into the multidisciplinary rehabilitative approach to scoliosis care.