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News from APTA

On December 8, 2005, 6 organizations representing a coalition of more than 30 rehabilitation provider and patient groups met with Dr Elias Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md. Richard Shields, PT, PhD, and Justin Moore, PT, represented APTA in a roundtable discussion and presentation on rehabilitation science within NIH. This meeting was arranged by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation's Tricia Brooks and Michael Manganiello, a member of Zerhouni's Council of Public Representatives, which provides public input and views on NIH research activities. Representatives attended from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Association of Academic Physiatrists, the American College of Rehabilitation Medicine, and the Brain Injury Association of America. Zerhouni was joined by a group of his advisors, including Dr Duane Alexander, the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Alexander's attendance was especially important because NICHD is the institute that houses the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR).

Objectives of the meeting were to discuss the status of rehabilitation science, increase awareness of rehabilitation science, and establish collaborative efforts to advance rehabilitation within NIH. Presenters focused on the current status of rehabilitation, its unique place in the health care continuum, and the population dynamics that will increase the need for effective rehabilitation interventions to address daily needs and potential for independence. The presentation also focused on the relatively small portion of funding dedicated to rehabilitation research within NIH. In NIH's $28.5 billion budget in 2005, rehabilitation was funded at approximately $300 million, with $75 million of that appropriated to NCMRR. Although a small percentage of the research and funding at NIH is dedicated to rehabilitation, Zerhouni noted that progress has been made since the founding of NCMRR in 1990 and across other NIH institutes: Funding increases in rehabilitation are slightly higher than in other areas, and the award of the largest rehabilitation trial in NIH's history is the $13.5 million, 5-year award to Pamela Duncan, PT, PhD, FAPTA, and Katherine Sullivan, PT, PhD, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and NCMRR in support of the "Loco-motor Experience Applied Post-Stroke" (LEAPS) project.

Discussion also focused on how to enhance collaborative efforts to accelerate progress in rehabilitation science. As Congress considers reauthorization of the NIH in early 2006, the coalition has several objectives to advance rehabilitation in the authorizing statute. Zerhouni noted his objectives of enhanced coordination and communication at NIH, with a particular focus on trans-NIH functions and areas of research. The establishment of new independent centers or a free-standing institute for rehabilitation is not consistent with his vision for reauthorization and, in his view, would only serve to further isolate rehabilitation. However, rehabilitation was offered as a research area that is consistent with the transNIH coordination goals, and Zerhouni and Alexander encouraged continued dialogue on strategies to enhance the great work already being done by rehabilitation researchers and to identify gaps in rehabilitation science at NIH. Zerhouni closed the meeting with praise, and he confirmed his commitment to rehabilitation as NIH moves forward.

Over the past 2 years, APTA and its coalition partners have made significant progress in increasing awareness of rehabilitation science. Translating this progress into action and funding is the challenge ahead. Meeting with Zerhouni was a key step in the continuum to ultimately establish a vital and growing rehabilitation research enterprise at NIH. Continuing with the reauthorization of NIH in 2006 and building on appropriations report language secured during the past 2 years are essential. The most effective tool for APTA advocacy continues to be the science that physical therapist researchers are conducting. Leaders in the field, policymakers, and representatives at NIH have commented on the high-quality proposals and projects being submitted and completed by physical therapists either independently or in conjunction with colleagues from other health care professions.

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Moore, J. Articles by Goldstein, M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Moore, J. Articles by Goldstein, M. Related Collections Health Services Research Physical Therapist Practice: Other Social Bookmarking                      What's this?