Rehabilitation without borders: Lithuanian and Polish cooperation creating real value for patients

On November 19, 2025, a meaningful and constructive discussion took place between the specialists of the Abromiškės Rehabilitation Hospital and the Independent Public Health Care Institution in the town of Łapy (Poland) on "Regulation and other news about physical medicine and rehabilitation today. Rehabilitation without borders."

The discussion was organized as part of the project "Improving the Quality and Accessibility of Rehabilitation Services for Children and Adults in the Border Region" (LTPL00082), one of whose objectives is to strengthen cross-border cooperation, share experiences, and seek effective solutions to improve the quality and accessibility of rehabilitation services.

Discussion highlights and main topics

During the meeting, the rehabilitation systems of Lithuania and Poland were presented and discussed, including their differences and similarities, organizational principles, legal regulations, and the patient journey in each country.

Participants also examined the following aspects:

*organization of different rehabilitation levels and types of services;
*funding models and their practical application;
*monitoring of quality indicators and assessment systems;
*daily challenges faced by specialists and the resulting possibilities for service provision.

Special attention was given to how different experiences can complement each other and the added value that collaboration can bring to patients in both countries, especially those living in the border region.

Conclusions and Future Directions

During the discussion, the strengths of each country's practices and areas where partners can learn from each other were identified. Recommendations were also formulated that:

* will help better understand the differences and opportunities in the organization of rehabilitation services;
* will contribute to improving patient information;
* will encourage the application of effective solutions in practice;
* will inspire new joint initiatives in the border region.

The most important thing – cooperation and knowledge exchange

The event once again confirmed that close cross-border cooperation is an important factor in ensuring quality and accessible rehabilitation services for patients. The exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices allows for a better understanding of how different systems work and helps create innovative solutions that directly contribute to patient well-being.