Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Measuring Rehabilitation Outcomes and Effectiveness.
This project has completed its research activities and is now closed. Check REHABDATA data for documents.
Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern University, Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. 345 East Superior Street. Chicago, IL 60611.
E-mail:a-heinemann@northwestern.edu. URL(s):http://www.ric.org/research/centers/cror/index.aspx. Principal Investigator: Allen W. Heinemann, PhD. PI Phone: 312/238-2802. Public Contact: Trudy Mallinson, PhD. Public Contact Phone: 312/238-1623. Fax: 312/238-2383. Project Number: H133B040032 (See also H133B090024). Start Date: December 1, 2004. Length: 60 months. NIDRR Officer: Phillip Beatty, PhD. NIDRR Funding: FY 04 $700,000; FY 05 $700,000; FY 06 $700,000; FY 07 $700,000; FY 08 $700,000; FY 09 $0. Abstract: The purpose of this RRTC is to provide national leadership on the functional assessment, outcomes, and health policy issues facing the medical rehabilitation community and the diverse consumers it seeks to serve. The Center conducts research; hosts forums for discussion; publishes in rehabilitation, health policy, and consumer literature; trains researchers in rehabilitation-focused health services research; and disseminates information to diverse consumer, provider, and academic audiences. The RRTC's research seeks to (1) enable comparison of functional status measures across post-acute settings so information can be provided to consumers and other rehabilitation stakeholders about the outcomes and effectiveness of various post-acute care settings; (2) develop an innovative measure of community participation in a meaningful, reliable, and valid manner in order to better describe the long-term outcomes of rehabilitation services; (3) increase the efficiency of outcome data collection so more resources can be directed to patient care; and (4) examine how format and presentation style influences patient understanding of rehabilitation quality outcome indicators in order to provide information in ways that are helpful for consumers when selecting rehabilitation services. The project uses recent developments in item response theory, computer adaptive testing, and stakeholder input in test development, outcomes reporting, and quality indicator reporting. The expected outcomes are a rational basis for provision of rehabilitation services in post-acute care settings, increased efficiency of data collection, a better measure of community participation, and outcome reporting that is responsive to stakeholder needs. Dissemination activities include post-graduate and post-doctoral training opportunities, conferences, and a website that provides information on measurement of rehabilitation outcomes across the continuum of post-acute settings. Descriptors: Consumers, Health care, Outcomes, Policy, Rehabilitation medicine, Rehabilitation services.
