Research activities
Project Director
Graduate Education
Current Research Projects
The Academic and Clinical Rehabilitation Department at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is strongly committed to and seeks to excel in clinical research activities which will help lead to improved understanding, prevention, and the management of childhood disorders.
Within our department, we have developed the Academic and Clinical Rehabilitation Department Committee (ACRDC). This committee seeks to operationalize the mission of the Rehabilitation Research Program through the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures and processes. The ACRDC also serves as a recognized scientific review committee for the SickKids Research Institute and Ethics Review Board.
The ACRDC has been successful in meeting the following established objectives:
- developing guidelines for staff pursuing or wishing to pursue clinical or graduate education
- developing formal linkages with the following Sick Kids departments and external organizations: Professional Services, The Research Institute, Program Clusters, The University of Toronto Departments of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, The College of Orthotics, The Child Health Network of Toronto and Toronto area teaching hospital rehabilitation departments
- establishing a scientific review process for proposed rehabilitation research and submissions for the Ethics Review Board
- establishing a review process for abstract presentations and grant applications
- establishing formal linkages (Cross Appointments to the Rehabilitation Research Program) with individuals conducting research in the area of paediatric rehabilitation
- establishing the essential framework for the facilitation of clinical research activities
- a Research Administration Coordinator (RAC) position has been established. This designated therapist is responsible for compiling information on past and current research activities/publications/funding within the rehabilitation department as well as compiling research resources for staff including establishing/maintaining a database of funding sources (research manual).
Project Director
Recently, several therapists have been appointed to the position of Project Director through the Sick Kids Research Institute. A project director is defined as any Sick Kids staff member who is involved in research as a principal investigator (either through directly funded projects, the supervision of research students or direction of clinical research in their area of practice). This is a unique appointment in that therapists will participate in their research activities as members of the Research Institute and foster close interactions among different administrative elements of SickKids.
Graduate Education
Currently we have four therapists who have completed graduate education (three at the Master's level and one at the Ph.D. level). There are 13 therapists currently enrolled in graduate education programs. Programs include the University of Toronto (Master of Science - Rehabilitation Science and Master of Science - Institute of Medical Sciences) and The University of Greenwich (Master of Science - Continuing Professional Development).
Current Research Projects
The following list highlights the current research projects in the Department of Rehabilitation Services:
The Inter-rater Reliability of an Active Movement Scale for Infants with Obstretrical Brachial Plexus Palsy. Christine Curtis, P.T., Rosemary Tannock, Ph.D., P.T., Howard Clarke, M.D., Ph.D., David Andrews, Ph.D.
Impairment and Disability Associated with Epiphyseal Dysplasia in Children. Rita Damignani, P.T., E. Bodley, Ph.D., Nancy Young, Ph.D, P.T., William Cole, M.D., Ph.D. Internally supported by the Research Training Start Up Fund - Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute).
In-Hand Manipulation Recovery in Children with Moderate Acquired Head Injury. Trish Fitzpatrick, P.T., Chantal Graveline, Ph.D.
Inter-rater reliability among health care professionals in the joint examination of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Kristi Whitney, P.T., B.M. Feldman, J. Guzman. Funded by the Physiotherapy Foundation of Canada (June 1998 - July 1999).
Physical Leisure Activity Performance in Children following multiple traumatic fractures. Anne Scofich, P.T., Denise Reid, Ph.D., Rebecca Renwick, Ph.D., Karen Yoshido, Ph.D.
Preoperative Physiotherapy Teaching in Paediatric Cardiac Patients. Vera Carmini, P.T., Rita Damignani, P.T., Chantal Graveline, Ph.D.
Unilateral Facial Palsy: Outcomes Following Free Gracilis Muscle Transfer. Shawna Wade, O.T., Ron Zuker, M.D., Ralph Manktelow, M.D., Lynda Mainwaring, Ph.D., Angela Colontonio, Ph.D. Funded through the SEED Grant - Hospital for Sick Children Research Institue.
Occupational Therapy Feeding Study Intervention Follow-up of Children with Swallowing Dysfunction. Suzanne Breton, O.T., M.A., Chantal Graveline, Ph.D. Funded by the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation New Initiatives Fund.
Developmental Outcomes of Preschoolers with Cleft Lip and Palate. Tara Muir, O.T., Kathryn Boschen, Ph.D., Aileen Davis, Ph.D., P.T. Respiratory Care for the Child with Severe Neurological Dysfunction: An Inquiry into Parental Beliefs & Experiences Surrounding Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy. Alison Hassall, P.T.
Models of Service Delivery in Rehabilitation for infants and children with vertically acquired HIV infection: A qualitative study. Gillian Bone, P.T.