“I See the Results of My Work — and That Inspires Me”: How Rehabilitation Professionals Continue to Learn
Bohdan Fasolko works as a physical therapist at Rivne Central City Hospital. He first became familiar with the profession during his student years, when he volunteered in the vascular neurology department. There, he helped stroke patients regain movement, learn to walk, and become more independent. That experience showed him how this profession can truly change people’s lives.
“I love seeing people literally get back on their feet, start walking again. It’s incredibly motivating to witness a patient take their first steps after a serious condition,” Bohdan shares.
To help his patients recover as fully as possible, Bohdan is constantly learning. The latest training he attended focused on post-acute rehabilitation for stroke patients.
Stroke rehabilitation is a topic that remains relevant at all times. Strokes are common, and nearly every district has hospitals with stroke units that treat such patients. In addition, through the National Health Service of Ukraine, the state funds not only acute stroke care but also post-stroke rehabilitation. Rehabilitation gives patients the best chance to return to active life as quickly as possible.
“Besides civilians, strokes are also quite common among military personnel — as a result of injuries, chronic stress, high blood pressure, or age-related factors. The war has only intensified this trend. That’s why it’s crucial to use modern, evidence-based rehabilitation methods — active physical and occupational therapy. Additional complexity arises when stroke is combined with other conditions, such as amputations. In such cases, patient assessment must be particularly thorough: specialists need to determine which consequences to address first and select appropriate interventions,” explains Petro Smaglii, a physical therapist at Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital and one of the trainers.
The trainers emphasize that their methods are based on international standards, including Norwegian and American guidelines, as well as a wide range of research evidence. These sources help select interventions with the highest level of effectiveness.
“I wanted to improve my knowledge, get a better grasp of testing methods, and identify what I could do better. I strongly believe that public rehabilitation should exist and meet high standards. There are still stereotypes about public healthcare, and I want to change that,” Bohdan explains his motivation for learning.
Participants not only gained new knowledge but also had the opportunity to observe how other teams work, exchange experiences, and learn from their colleagues. The training program covered a wide range of topics:
Neuroanatomy of stroke and principles of neuroplasticity
Patient mobility testing and assessment with practical exercises
The role of the multidisciplinary team in recovery
Occupational therapy in daily activities (eating, dressing, hygiene) and environmental adaptation
High-Intensity Gait Training (HIGT)
Clinical case discussions and development of individualized rehabilitation plans
The training took place within the framework of the project “Moving Forward: Development of Prosthetics and Rehabilitation in Ukraine,” implemented by the Patients of Ukraine Charity Foundation and Protez Hub Foundation. From July to September, multidisciplinary professionals took part in trainings on prosthetics, rehabilitation for patients with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, and other key topics.
Bohdan was particularly impressed by the session on high-intensity gait training:
“It’s an effective method I first learned about in Bila Tserkva during a training with Volodymyr Mahas, and I’m now implementing it in my hospital’s rehabilitation department.”
Bohdan admits he’s eager to keep participating in such trainings, as the intensive format allows him to explore topics in depth and practice new methods.
Demand for such training remains high due to gaps in the education system. Universities often do not provide enough practical training, and many current specialists have retrained from other fields. They need to adjust their approach to rehabilitation and expand their professional knowledge.
The trainers maintain ongoing communication with participants:
“I always leave my contact information,” says Petro Smaglii. “They can reach out with questions or for additional materials.”
The practical impact is already visible: participants submit clinical cases, receive assignments, and demonstrate how they apply their new knowledge in practice. Patients are often referred between regions, allowing trainers to track continuity of care across facilities. Compared to 2022, the progress is clear — specialists are more confident, systematic, and aligned with modern standards.
The series of trainings was made possible through the Ukrainian Rapid Response Fund Program, implemented by IREX with the support of the U.S. Department of State.
