THE INSTITUTE FOR DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION RESEARCH BECOMES A FOUNDING MEMBER OF WHO’S WORLD REHABILITATION ALLIANCE

In the summer of 2022, the Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (IDRR), a collaboration between CMCC and Ontario Tech University answered the World Health Organization’s call for membership in establishing a World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA). At the completion of their vetting process in December of 2022, the Institute was named a founding member of WRA.

According to IDRR Director, Dr. Pierre Côté, “Our membership in the WRA means Ontario Tech University and the IDRR will be at the forefront of international evidence-based advocacy for rehabilitation, joining forces with governmental and private sector organizations, philanthropic foundations, and other academic institutions to advocate for the inclusion of rehabilitation services within universal healthcare systems. This is a major global public health issue.

Access to rehabilitation services for all health problems, including chronic conditions such as back pain and diabetes, is very limited. Advocating for research is a critical vehicle for making the case to governments to invest in evidencebased rehabilitation care.”

IDRR will have input into two WRA working groups: Research, led by Dr. Côté, and, Primary care, led by CMCC’s Dr. Silvano Mior.

“Primary care is a critical entry point for people seeking rehabilitation services,” says Mior. “To address unmet needs requires effective and efficient interprofessional collaboration at the primary care level. Participating in this working group takes us one step closer to addressing the challenges facing those in need of rehabilitation services.”

IDRR welcomes graduate students

Since its inception, the Institute’s faculty has attracted and trained seven post-doctoral fellows, of which three were international. It has also hosted eight PhD students, 14 Master’s students and four undergraduate students at Ontario Tech University. Also, as a placement for CMCC residents, it has welcomed 23 post-graduate residents and four international visiting students/researchers.

History

In 2012, the Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (CDPR) was established through a research partnership between Ontario Tech University and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). The Centre was inaugurated by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care on July 16, 2012.

Under the direction of Pierre Côté, DC, PhD, the Centre worked with related health research and innovative supportive agencies, educational partners, health-care delivery institutions, industry and government to examine questions focused on the prevention and management of chronic musculoskeletal and psychological conditions and disabilities. Research was directed to generating new ideas involving integrated, collaborative and evidence-informed approaches to health care.

“The WRA membership will provide opportunities for our students to be exposed to, and develop skills in, evidence-based advocacy,” says Dr. Côté. “It will also connect students to a wide network of international stakeholders. Ultimately, it will provide IDRR and CMCC with the ability to involve students in global policy development projects.”

Baus, Vice President of Academic and Dr. Anthony Tibbles, Dean of Clinics are members of IDRR’s steering committee, offering oversight and support. Drs. Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Biostatician and Research Methodologist and Craig Jacobs, Director of Clinical Education and Patient Care are CMCC scientists also involved in the Institute.

In 2013, Dr. Côté was selected by the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) to carry out a comprehensive systematic review and economic analysis of common traffic injuries and treatments in Ontario.

As lead investigator and Chair of the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration, Côté’s task was to develop recommendations based on scientific evidence and build consensus on the research team’s findings. The resulting 279-page report 1 had implications for the Ontario Auto Insurance Industry. “It was clear that a re-think of the system was vital,” said Côté. “The treatment protocol for traffic injuries in Ontario needed a significant update and our work led to the development of 15 clinical practice guidelines for the management of common traffic injuries.”

Incorporating the social sciences and humanities

In June 2021, the Institute for Disability Rehabilitation and Research (IDRR), formerly known as the Centre for Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (CDPR), expanded its scope to include expertise from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at Ontario Tech University and create a holistic research program in disability and rehabilitation.

“The impact of partnering with colleagues from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities has been extremely positive. Our research is now firmly grounded in social justice and political advocacy,” says Côté.

With this expansion, the partnership became formally known as the Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

1. https://www.fsco.gov.on.ca/en/auto/Doc uments/2015-cti.pdf

Toronto, Ontario

July 13 - July 15, 2023

Hosted at CMCC

A highly interactive three-day experience for teachers and administrators in complementary and integrative health education.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Gordon Guyatt, McMaster University.

PIE 2023 Program at a Glance

Legend: Administrative Track Workshops

Plenary/Keynote Teaching Track

Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Track Leads: Drs. Katie Pohlman, Scott Dunham, and John Stites

Ground Rules and What to Expect Teaching Track Leads: Drs. John Stites, Alex Lee and Robert Rowell

From ‘Live Searches’ to LibGuides: Library Resources to Support EBP Dr. Natalia Tukhareli and Kent Murnaghan

Small Groups

Introduction, Agenda and Objectives Administrative Track Leads: Drs. Katie Pohlman and Scott Dunham

Steps for Developing and Implementing an EBP Curriculum Dr. Enas el Gouhary

Program Examples in Complementary and Integrative Healthcare (CIH)

To Treat or Not to Treat Dr. Enas el Gouhary

Attend One Workshop: Critical Appraisal of Systematic Reviews Dr. Jason Busse

EBP as Reflective Practice Dr. Ted Crowther

Engaging Qualitative Health Research: Applying and Appraising Qualitative Studies Drs. Silvano Mior and Melissa Atkinson-Graham

Clinical Practice Guidelines: Interventional Procedures for Spinal Pain Dr. Jason Busse

Keynote Presentation: How to Recognize a Trustworthy Practice Guideline Dr. Gordon Guyatt

Attend One Workshop:

Why Effect Size Matters - Maximal Importance of Minimal Clinically Important Differences Dr. Joshua Goldenberg, ND

Critical Appraisal of Systematic Reviews Dr. Jason Busse

The “Apply” E-Module: How to Teach Shared Decision Making and Empathy Drs. Natalia Tukhareli and Lara deGraauw

Engaging Qualitative Health Research: Applying and Appraising Qualitative Studies Drs. Silvano Mior and Melissa Atkinson-Graham

Small Groups and Mentored Self-Directed Study Teaching Track Leads: Drs. John Stites, Alex Lee and Robert Rowell

Faculty Training in the Acquisition of EBP Skills Dr. Kim Ross

Check-in: Teaching Module Progress

Modeling EBP Teaching, Feedback and Innovation Teaching Track Leads: Drs. John Stites, Alex Lee and Robert Rowell

Transforming Library Collections and Services in Response to Professional Development Needs Dr. Natalia Tukhareli

Integrate EBP Behaviors into Clinics and Patient Care Dr. Daphne To Examples from CIH Programs - Train and Integrate Administrative Track Leads: Drs. Katie Pohlman and Scott Dunham

WHO Low Back Guideline Development from Start to Finish Dr. Carolina Cancelliere

Shared Decision Evidence Summary (ShaDES) Framework Dr. Pierre Côté

Attend One Workshop:

Why Effect Size Matters - Maximal Importance of Minimal Clinically Important Differences Dr. Joshua Goldenberg, ND

Critical Appraisal of Diagnostic Studies Dr. Carolina Cancelliere

EBP as Reflective Practice Dr. Ted Crowther

Modeling EBP Teaching, Feedback and Innovation Teaching Track Leads: Drs. John Stites, Alex Lee and Robert Rowell

Open Focused Discussion Administrative Track Leads: Drs. Katie Pohlman and Scott Dunham

Creating Institutional Processes Dr. Anthony Tibbles

Parking Lot and Q & A

Take Home and Future Planning Teaching Track Leads: Drs. John Stites, Alex Lee and Robert Rowell

Global Experience in EBP Dr. Ted Crowther

Goal Setting for CIH Programs - Take Home and Future Planning Administrative Track Leads: Drs. Katie Pohlman and Scott Dunham

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