Rehabilitation and Disability News Archive

HRC Grant succcessful

The Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit (RTRU) were successful in securing the following grants from the HRC.  The RDRT would like to congratulate them in their success!

• A feasibility study of a structured means of eliciting goals in rehabilitation
  Dr William Taylor, Dr Sarah Dean, Dr Mark Weatherall, Mr William Levack, Prof. Kath McPherson
  Department of Medicine
  12 months, $149,734
• Goals and self regulation skills in brain injury rehabilitation: an RCT
  Prof. Kath McPherson, Assoc Prof William Taylor, Prof Philip Schluter, Mrs Nicola Kayes, Mr William Levack, Dr Suzanne Barker-Collo, Dr Matire Harwood, Dr Harry McNaughton, Assoc Prof Valery Feigin, Prof. Mark Ylvisaker, Dr Richard Siegert
  AUT
  36 months, $1.6M

Rehabilitation and Disability Research Theme - Research Awards ‘08

The Rehabilitation and Research Awards are now open.  There are four awards of $2000 available for researchers to use to support networking, small pieces of equipment, reviewing and research assistance, etc. for the purpose of supporting work towards proposals for larger applications in the future.   Applications should outline how this money will be used to support future research (and funding applications) relevant to the Theme’s aims, and highlight the collaborative nature of the award.  For application forms and information, please contact:
Emma Tumilty (emma.tumilty@otago.ac.nz)

In 2007, the theme awarded four awards of $2000.  These went to:

• Dr Xiangu Xiong, Karen Marshall, Dr Leanne Parker, Burwood Spinal Unit
  “Burwood Spinal Unit patient outcomes for patients with ventilator dependent tetraplegia.”

• Ms Joanne Nunnerly, Dr Jean Hay-Smith, Dr Sarah Dean, RTRU
  “The experience of leaving a spinal injury unit in New Zealand”

• Dr Leigh Hale (School of Physiotherapy), Dr Sarah Dean, (RTRU), Dr Jeremy Hobart (Peninsula Medical School, UK), Prof. Janet Mulcare (Independent Researcher), Assoc. Prof. Glenn Buchan (Department of Microbiology), Andrew Gray (Dept. Preventive and Social Medicine), Dr L. J. du Plessis, (Dept of Neurology, ODHB).
  “Can exercise reduce the impact of multiple sclerosis has on daily life?”

• Meredith Perry (School of Physiotherapy), Dr Sarah Dean (RTRU), Dr Leigh Hale (School of Physiotherapy), Prof. David Baxter (School of Physiotherapy)
  “Perceptions of physical activity limitations in people with low back pain”

Celebrating success and continuing in the future

The Rehabilitation and Disability Research Theme Management Group is happy to announce that after a successful year in 2007 the Theme has been granted further funding for 2008.  The Theme’s plans for 2008 include expanding the colloquia in Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, as well forming and consulting with a stakeholder group and collaborating on further pertinent research. 

The Management Group has invited some new members for 2008 and has formed an Advisory Group to guide them in their decisions for the future of the theme and its research foci.  (see Management Group page for further details).

The first mini-colloquia will be held on 25th June in Christchurch – please see the schedule (Annual Colloquium page) and should you wish to obtain any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Australian and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society Annual Scientific Meeting

The Australian and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society is holding its Annual Scientific Meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, 26 - 28 November 2008.

This meeting is held in New Zealand every six years and presents an excellent opportunity for suppliers and providers to have access to key health professionals and decision makers who work in the specialised area of the management of persons with spinal cord impairment (paraplegia and tetraplegia). The theme of the 2008 Conference is "Where to from here? Asking the questions".

More information at http://www.anzscos2008.org.nz/

HRC Funding Round Results

The latest HRC round results proved to be very favourable for many management team members and their departments.

Preventing injury and reducing subsequent disability outcomes

Professor John Langley, Dr Dorothy Begg, Dr Shyamala Nada-Raja, Dr Sarah Derrett, Dr Brendan Hokowhitu, Associate Professor Shanthi Ameratunga, Associate Professor Anne Bray, Associate Professor Paul Hansen, Ms Gabrielle Davie, Ms Emma Wyeth, Ms Rebecca Lilley, Associate Professor Rob McGee, Dr Dannette Marie, Professor Helen Christensen, Professor Andrew MacKinnon, Associate Professor John Broughton, Ms Rebecca Brookland
Injury Prevention Research Unit, University of Otago, (03) 479 8511
36 months, $1,980,543

Working in intellectual disability services: staff retention and turnover

Dr Nancy Higgins, Dr Anne Bray, Dr Claire Stewart, Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Mr Paul Milner
Donald Beasley Institute, (03) 479 8080
36 months, $1,137,610

Decreasing pain, disability, waiting lists and costs associated with osteoarthritis

Dr Haxby Abbott, Professor John Campbell, Dr Clare Robertson, Associate Professor Jean-Claude Theis, Professor G. David Baxter
School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, (03) 479 7460
36 months, $646,762

Pukapuka Hauora: Parents knowledge of preventing and treating their child's asthma

Ms Bernadette Jones, Professor Julian Crane, Dr Sarah Dean, Ms Cheryl Davies, Dr Tristram Ingham
Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, (04) 385 5999 ext 6845
24months $624,415

Growing up kapo māori : whanau, identity, cultural well-being and health

Dr Nancy Higgins, Dr Hazel Phillips, Mrs Christine Cowan
Donald Beasley Institute, (03) 479 8080
24 months, $389,589