The ‘Sma Path’ is launched to train professionals on new standards of care for rare diseases

The ‘Sma Path’ starts, a training course dedicated to professionals in the care, assistance and rehabilitation of spinal muscular atrophy (Sma). Led by the team of specialists of the NeMO Clinical Centers, the training course stems from the need to offer more and more appropriate treatment responses in light of the changes related to the new treatment treatments for this neuromuscular pathology. Sma Path – a note details – is divided into three distance training meetings that begin with an in-depth study of the therapeutic possibilities offered by the new pharmacological therapies, continue with the impact that they have on the path of motor and respiratory rehabilitation, to that of nutrition, up to the psychological and psychosocial experiences of young patients and their families. The SMA affects about 1 newborn in every 10 thousand in the world – the note recalls – and according to estimates, today it affects about 850 people in Italy, most of whom are under the age of 16. Hence the need to revise standards of care. The scientific direction of the course is entrusted to Eugenio Mercuri, child neuropsychiatrist, director of the Department of Women’s, Child and Public Health Sciences of the Agostino Gemelli Irccs University Polyclinic Foundation and scientific manager of the pediatric area of ​​the NeMO Rome Clinical Center at the Polyclinic Gemelli and Valeria Sansone, neurologist, clinical and scientific director of the NeMO Clinical Center in Milan, at the Niguarda hospital and associate professor of Neurology at the University of Milan. The course is promoted by VyvaMed, in collaboration with the NeMO Clinical Centers and the sponsorship of the Sma Families association, with the non-conditioning sponsorship of Novartis. They will be joined by the testimonies of those who live the experience of the disease, starting from that by Anita Pallara, president of Famiglie Sma, the association of patients, who has always been at the side of the parental community. The course, intended exclusively for healthcare professionals, is free upon registration by 13 November on the website www.smapath.it. It confers 9 ECM educational credits for the disciplines of: Medicine and Surgery, Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Neurology, Child Neuropsychiatry, Pediatrics, Respiratory Diseases, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Dietetics, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Neuro and psychomotor therapy of the developmental age, Occupational therapist, Dietitian, Nurse, Pediatric Nurse, Speech therapist. The training course is accredited up to a maximum of 350 participants. These are the appointments: 16 November 16-19; 1 December 16-19; December 14, 4 pm-7pm.