Tailoring Rehabilitation to Also Fit Rare Disease Populations: Challenges and Solutions

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Location: 211

Ideal Audience:Administrators, Physicians, Researchers, Residents/Fellows, Medical Students

Course Director(s)

Ariane Kwiet, MD (she/her/hers)

Specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation
Norwegian Resource Centre for Rare Diseases, Sunnaas Hospital

Speaker(s)

Trine Bathen, MSc (she/her/hers)

Occupational Therapist
Norwegian Centre for Rare Diseases
Anne-Mette Bredahl, PhD

Clinical Psychologist
Norwegian Centre for Rare Diseases

Brief Session Description : This session will provide participants with insight into the challenges individuals with rare diseases can face in rehabilitation. Furthermore, participants will learn how these challenges can hinder effective rehabilitation and be presented with possible solutions. Participants will gain insights from literature, case presentations and films, a patient survey, and a feasibility study on integrating rare disease patients into existing programmes. A stakeholder-developed model will be presented. The session includes interactive discussion to reflect on barriers and opportunities in practice, and offers evidence-based knowledge, practical strategies, and reflective engagement to support healthcare professionals in improving rehabilitation outcomes for this under-served group.

Session Objectives:

 Identify common challenges and care needs in rehabilitation of rare disease populations.

 Understand different strategies to address these needs

 Explore how patients with rare diseases can be better included into existing rehabilitation programs while ensuring their specific needs are met.
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