Sandra Willett, Ph.D., director of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy, was one of 11 professionals nationwide who were competitively selected to be part of national research summit hosted in October by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Ten more physical therapists were selected because of their areas of expertise for the APTA Academy of Pediatric Therapy Research Summit V, which was held in Alexandria, Virginia, on Oct. 18-20. The summit focused on the topic of “Optimizing Transitions from Infancy to Young Adulthood in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities.”
Conference attendees included not only researchers but funders, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Education, giving investigators an insight into funding priorities, Dr. Willett said.
The goal of the summit, Dr. Willett said, is to generate ideas, identify gaps, and assemble research team that might compete for federal grant funding.
“As a group, we worked to establish four top priorities that addressed two primary questions; “If this (transition issue) could be solved, what would be different for children/families? Do we have all the critical stakeholders present to address this problem or gap?” Dr. Willett said. Those present then aligned their expertise with established priorities to develop planning grants for submission to the APTA. Broadly, the four priorities included:
- How do PTs provide evidenced-based, best practice care across the lifespan?
- What periods of development offer optimal timing for specific interventions to address movement and movement-related health disparities?
- How do PTs promote self-advocacy and self-determination across development?
- How do PTs improve transition from medical care in the NICU to community-based, developmental programs for infants at high risk for movement disorders?
Dr. Willett’s team submitted a planning grant based on the NICU question. Planning grants give funds to researchers to formulate a team, design a methodologically sound proposal and perhaps generate pilot data in order to compete for other extramural funds.
Dr. Willett said her experience at the conference was highly beneficial.
“The summit affirmed that what we’re doing here at MMI is aligned with what are considered national priorities,” she said. “We also have a good handle on where the gaps are.
“The other huge benefit was hearing what’s being done elsewhere and being able to partner with other institutions and researchers,” she said. “I had the opportunity to network with individuals who are doing cutting-edge research in my field and that allowed me to step on board alongside them, rather than carve a solo path.
“It’s a great springboard for future collaborations.”