On September 15th, 2018, for the fourth time Polish Ciliary Dyskinesia Society and IIMCB organized the workshop for people with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) and their families. The meeting focused on respiratory physiotherapy for patients with PCD. The workshop gathered 76 participants, including 7 physiotherapists. The training program responded well to the patients' needs. Their wish list was collected in a questionnaire sent out earlier on.
The workshop began with a lecture "News in PCD" by Dr. Andrzej Pogorzelski, which gave the audience much needed insight into the latest knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of this rare genetic disease. Participants also had a great opportunity to take part in two “hands on” physiotherapeutic sessions. First block was devoted to new inhalation techniques. Second one focused on self-conducted respiratory physiotherapy exercises. Classes were led by Aleksandra Cichocka from the Center for Cystic Fibrosis in Dziekanów Leśny and Mikołaj Kowalski from the Provincial Children's Hospital in Bydgoszcz.
Presentation of the project "Be independent of PCD - home rehabilitation of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia" was an important part of the meeting. The project is funded by the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled People. The aim of the project is to improve the health of the beneficiary and its respiratory efficiency, which will minimize the number of individual’s respiratory infections reduce the amount of antibiotics prescribed and the number of hospitalizations. Furthermore the project focuses on improving patient’s quality of life.
An important part of the event was a general meeting of members of a society for PCD patients Polish Ciliary Dyskinesia Society. Members of the Society elected a new Board of Directors, where the presidency of Dr. Andrzej Pogorzelski from the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Rabka-Zdrój was extended for a next term. The new board established main goals for its activity in upcoming year.
The workshop ended with a social meeting of, which encouraged a free exchange of knowledge and experience between society members and patients.
