Description:

Abstract

The AbilityLab’s Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR) is administered as part of the AbilityLab’s research operations and focuses on health services research priorities, develops and evaluates outcome measures, consults and teaches, and maintains the Rehabilitation Measures Database. CROR disseminates information to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the rehabilitation care including publications, public presentations, through its website. This seminar presentation will provide an overview of current and recent CROR projects by the project PIs. Dr. Heinemann will describe who patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide valuable information for describing health changes during rehabilitation hospitalization. However, inpatient rehabilitation facilities primarily rely on clinician-rated outcomes, such as functional status and goal attainment; the patient’s voice is therefore often not a part of hospital evaluations. CROR evaluated the feasibility of collecting PROMs, and identified what questions are required for quality measure development. Dr. Ehrlich-Jones will describe ways in which to increase physical activity in persons with Parkinson’s disease along with lessons learned in doing clinical research. Dr. Jessica Pedersen will share the benefits of wheelchair backs that support the spinal curves and describe the pediatric power project.

Speaker info

Allen W. Heinemann is a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago). He is a past-president and fellow of the American Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Rehabilitation Psychology division of the American Psychological Association. He serves as co-Editor-in-Chief for the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is the author of more than 300 articles. Linda Ehrlich-Jones is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and Assistant Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Jessica Pedersen is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, works in the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and provides wheelchair and seating services clinically.