Initiatives in rehabilitation research.

Federal funding of rehabilitation research depends on how much that research is valued, both within the physical therapy profession and among the external groups and individuals who ultimately have a stake in the outcomes of the research. To help advance rehabilitation research, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) forges partnerships, coalitions, and collaborations for awareness, advocacy, and legislative action; promotes the appointment of physical therapists to federal panels; and fosters infrastructure and research capacity building. To further cement the physical therapy profession's relationship with policymakers, APTA also is identifying health policy questions to be addressed.

Partnerships, Coalitions, and Collaborations for Advocacy and Awareness

* APTA representatives meet regularly with program officers of federal agencies such as the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the National Health, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The goal is to ensure that government agencies recognize the value of physical therapist research to health care, the value of physical therapy for the populations being served by these agencies, and the value of joining forces with physical therapists in cultivating funding sources.

In addition to work at the federal level, APTA plans to approach organizations such as the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Brain Injury Association of America, and the Paralyzed Veterans of America--organizations that engage in intensive fundraising for research. The goal is to encourage these groups to focus their efforts not only on research for cures, but on research for improving or maintaining function and quality of life.

* On June 13, 2005, the Interagency Committee on Disability Research and the Interagency Subcommittee on Medical Rehabilitation sponsored a conference attended by representatives from the physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physiatry, and medical neurology disciplines. The conference identified ways to publicize the fact that rehabilitation scientists are conducting research at the level of other biomedical research. The conference also addressed the recruitment and mentoring of new researchers.

Partnerships, Coalitions, and Collaborations for Legislative Action

Without the authorization of additional monies, federal funding agencies cannot increase their support for research. To raise the awareness of the US Senate and House of Representatives, APTA has set intensive lobbying efforts in motion.

Lobbying efforts will be augmented by the development of coalitions and partnerships among APTA and other health care disciplines, professional organizations, and consumer groups. A coordinated message will provide a powerful, persuasive argument for increased funding for this important research.

* In February 2005, APTA and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAMPR) worked together to formulate "report language" (nonbinding language that accompanies legislation and requests Congress to report on an issue or item by a certain date) that is designed to encourage additional funding for rehabilitation research. This document is being presented to offices in both the House and Senate.

Appointments to Federal Panels

The participation of more physical therapists on study sections will result in a better understanding of the unique role that physical therapist scientists play in rehabilitation research. The appointment of physical therapists at the federal level--that is, to advisory boards or panels that carry out policy--also will increase the visibility of physical therapist scientists.

* With the recent appointment of another physical therapist--Carolee Winstein, PT, PhD--to the NCMRR's National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research, physical therapy has achieved the highest level of representation and involvement to date in the NCMRR.

Infrastructure and Research Capacity Building

The appointment process helps create infrastructure and build research capacity, as does the formation of partnerships with stakeholders outside the profession; however, even more important, the creation of appropriate environments within the profession enhances research capacity. APTA currently is scheduling Congressional tours of laboratories located within education programs that are conducting cutting-edge research, both to increase visibility of this research and to inform lawmakers about the contributions made by physical therapist researchers.

Health Services Research Agenda for Physical Therapy.

Health services research is increasingly important to the physical therapy profession.

* APTA's Board of Directors has formed a task force to develop a series of questions that must be answered in order for APTA to be proactive and responsive to federal funding agencies and policy makers. With ready answers to critical questions, APTA will be able to put in place a comprehensive policy agenda to advance physical therapist practice, education, and research and make necessary strides toward the goals of Vision 2020. The task force also will identify--and cultivate--potential sources to fund the studies that can answer these questions.

Watch this space for updates. Questions about these initiatives in rehabilitation research may be directed to [e-mail].