ciTechCare’s third birthday gathered, last Friday, 13 may, several collaborators to talk about Cardio-respiratory rehabilitation and secondary prevention. 

This research, development and innovation unit dedicated to the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the prevention, diagnosis and early intervention of the disease have been evolved for the past 3 years towards a challenging and motivated path, through a scientific community even more specialized. 

According to Maria Guarino, ciTechCare coordinator, “the last 3 years provided new scientific knowledge, funded projects, published articles, international collaborations and strengthening of our regional network. We are making a difference in the health sciences field”.

The celebration event counted on 4 oral presentations about the main theme held by Filipa Januário, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, Joana Cruz, Physiotherapist and Teacher assistant in ESSLEI (School of Health Sciences of Polytechnic of Leiria), Rui Fonseca-Pinto, ESSLEI Dean, Alexandre Antunes, Cardiologist and Bruno Carreira, General doctor. 

The presentations were about Respiratory rehabilitation program, ONTRACK – digital platform to tackle physical inactivity in COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Cardiac rehabilitation – new approaches and Cardiac rehabilitation – scientific evidence, respectively. 

Maria Guarino, coordinator of ciTechCare also talked about the evolution of the past 3 years, since 2019, when ciTechCare was approved and funded by Science and Technology Foundation (FCT). 

Bruno Carreira, general doctor and also a ciTechCare member, was giving practical literacy through a life basic support session. 

To end the day and the ciTechCare celebrations, members were invited to a walk: an initiative to promote physical activity in this special heart month.