DoD FY15 Spinal Cord Injury Qualitative Research Award
The intent of the Qualitative Research Award is to support qualitative research studies that will help researchers and clinicians better understand the experiences of individuals with SCI and thereby identify the most effective paths for adjusting to disability and/or improving overall quality of life, health, and functional status after SCI. This mechanism is specifically focused on military and Veteran populations in the years after SCI, examining the issues, barriers, and promoters of success for Service members during the transition from initial injury and acute care through rehabilitation and community reintegration; therefore, collaboration with military and VA researchers and clinicians is encouraged. Factors that may affect the rehabilitation and reintegration of spinal cord-injured Service members include, but are not limited to, age, gender, ethnicity, family members/caregivers, psychological health, severity of injury, type of medical care (e.g., civilian, VA or military facility), and co-morbid conditions. Qualitative research is a form of social inquiry that focuses on understanding how people interpret and make sense of their experiences and the world in which they live (i.e., seeks to understand the human experience). Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from basic discovery, population-based studies, a clinicianâ₏™s first-hand knowledge of patients, or anecdotal data. Appropriate qualitative research topics include, but are not limited to, the explorative, descriptive, predictive, or explanatory study of the: â₏¢ Barriers preventing Service members with SCI from returning to active duty, returning home, or reintegrating into the community. â₏¢ Impact of personal factors and co-morbid medical conditions that influence or mediate a patientâ₏™s health or quality of life during hospitalization following SCI. â₏¢ Impact of cultural values and beliefs on the success of rehabilitation and community reintegration. â₏¢ Impact of medical care decisions (e.g., choice of civilian, VA, or military facility, treatment type, etc.) on the success of rehabilitation and community reintegration. â₏¢ Impact of care provision on the spouse and/or families of the spinal cord injured to include career issues, emotional stress, physical strain and injury, intimacy, etc. The FY15 SCIRP encourages applications that specifically address one or more of the following areas: 1. Pre-hospital, en route care, and early hospital management of SCI 2. Development, validation, and timing of promising interventions to address consequences of SCI and to improve recovery, including, but not limited to: â₏¢ Bladder, bowel, and autonomic dysfunction â₏¢ Cardiometabolic dysfunction â₏¢ Neuropathic pain and sensory dysfunction â₏¢ Pressure ulcers â₏¢ Respiratory dysfunction â₏¢ Sexual dysfunction 3. Identification and validation of best practices in SCI care including but not limited to: â₏¢ Critical care interventions â₏¢ Interventions for musculoskeletal health â₏¢ Rehabilitation interventions â₏¢ Surgical interventions â₏¢ Psychosocial and behavioral interventions in military/Veteran populations
Office: U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
Phone: 301-682-5507
Email: help@eBRAP.org
