The North Texas Burn Rehabilitation Model System (NTBRMS) including Parkland Health and Hospital System (PHHS) and the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical center (UTSW) is internationally renown for its top quality comprehensive program of care, rehabilitation, and research involving children and adults who sustain major burn injury.  The NTBRMS was instrumental in establishing the national database and has contributed detailed information on 1247 subjects since 1994.  The new grant cycle began on October 1, 2007 and will end September 30, 2012.  During this cycle NTBRMS proposes 1 collaborative research module (to be finalized) and 2 site specific research studies entitled “Biomechanical properties of burn scar” and “Efficacy of Social Interaction Skills Training Post Burn Injury.” Each of these projects links directly with the major life domains of NIDRR mission, namely Health and Function, and Participation and Community Living. 

Dissemination of NTBRMS materials occurs at many levels and in a variety of formats.  The key personnel are nationally renowned lectures and have a track record for dissemination through scientific publication.  The quarterly newsletter and our web site reach several thousand individuals per year and are available in English and Spanish.  The NTBRMS also makes materials accessible to individuals with disabilities including a “Bobby” approved web site and having audio and video tapes for written material. The NTBRMS will collaborate with NIDRR-funded Model Systems’ Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) by participating in its systematic reviews of evidence and will facilitate knowledge management by identifying the information needs and barriers among the various stakeholders both at national and local levels.

The plan of operation has clearly defined objectives, responsibilities, and timelines for carrying out the proposed activities.  Collaboration occurs on many levels at the NTBRMS.  Clinical collaboration is the hallmark of the burn team, which includes individuals from several institutions who work together seamlessly as well as collaboration with our rural care providers through outreach clinics.  Research collaboration occurs locally with the surgeons and academic computing and nationally with the other model systems.  The evaluation plan proposed specifically focuses on the overall objectives for demonstration, research, and dissemination with specific quantifiable targets, which are reassessed quarterly.  Intervention plans will be designed to facilitate completion of the proposed objectives.  Project staff are a diverse group of well trained and experienced clinicians and researchers with a clear commitment to providing comprehensive care to burn survivors as well as performing state of the art research.  The NTBRMS is fully committed to promoting employment and hiring of persons with a disability and has a commitment to diversity at all levels of operation.  The budget is reasonable with the majority of federal funding used for full time NTBRMS personnel involved in data collection and analysis.  Significant in kind funding is provided to allow the NTBRMS to meet the proposed objectives.  Resources are adequate with a strong research operation and clinical program.  Both UT Southwestern and PHHS are fully accessible. 

In summary, the NTBRMS proposes to meet all of the proposed priorities by continuing an outstanding system of burn care, research, and dissemination.

Project Director:

Therese SanAgustin, MD,

National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Mailstop PCP-6038
Washington, DC 20202

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html

Principal Investigator:
Karen Kowalske, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Karen.Kowalske@utsouthwestern.edu

Director of Research:
Radha Holavanahalli, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation   

Radha.Holavanahalli@utsouthwestern.edu

Director of Clinical Services:
Vincent Gabriel, MD  
Assistant Professor
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 

Vincent.Gabriel@utsouthwestern.edu

Model System Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC)

http://msktc.washington.edu/index.html

Email: msktc@u.washington.edu

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)

www.naric.com

Funding for this grant is made possible by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education (Grant # H133A070024) October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2012.

Webmaster:   Ruth.Davies@utsouthwestern.edu