“Innovative Approaches in Ergotherapy” congress was held

Istanbul Medipol University School of Health Sciences Department of Ergotherapy organized a congress titled “Innovative Approaches in Ergotherapy”. The congress held at the South Campus Conference Hall was attended by the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ergotherapy Association Prof. Hülya Kayıhan, Prof. Z. Candan Algun, Prof. Ela Tarakçı, Assoc. Prof. Esra Atılgan and Assoc. Prof. Devrim Tarakçı, as well as many academicians and students. The congress, which was held with the theme of “Knowledge, Innovation, and Social Impact”, was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Devrim Tarakçı and the opening speech was given by Prof. Z. Candan Algun.

KAYIHAN: HEYBELIADA SANATORIUM IS A MILESTONE
Speaking at the opening session of the congress, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ergotherapy Association Prof. Hülya Kayıhan shared the milestones in the development of ergotherapy with the participants. Kayıhan, who gave a speech titled “Past, Present and Future of Ergotherapy”, said: “We know that ergotherapy was first used in history around 100 BC. In those years, practices were used to treat patients with mental and emotional disorders. We can say that a Greek doctor used telepathic activities, exercises, bathing, and music to reduce stress. The most fundamental period was during the Age of Enlightenment. The Heybeliada Sanatorium founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924 is a milestone for ergotherapy in Türkiye. In this sanatorium, we see the first steps of vocational rehabilitation and workshops were opened and put into use.”