The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced the availability of a grant to fund O&P outcomes research. The Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program (OPORP) will support evidence-based practice and optimize care to military service members and veterans with limb loss and/or limb impairment who use O&P devices. All applications must demonstrate direct relevance to this population; however, it is expected that any research findings will also benefit the general population. Applications involving multidisciplinary collaborations among academia, industry, the military services, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal agencies are encouraged.
A pre-application submission of the research proposal and supporting documentation must be submitted by November 12. Invitations for accepted research proposals will be sent by December 10, and the application submission deadline is January 16, 2015.
The OPORP seeks studies that:
- Compare different patient care approaches.
- Include patient-centric outcome assessments.
- Have the potential to generate new knowledge that can be developed into new clinical practice guidelines, and/or new prescription algorithms for O&P devices.
- Have the potential to develop new technology for improved O&P devices, therefore improving patient outcomes.
- Provide information on quality of life, reintegration, and/or return to duty/return to work.
Studies may also be proposed that consider outcome factors related to healthcare delivery and clinical decision making such as cost, accessibility, adoption of medical policy, and patient preferences. Studies should have a clinical focus and may include methodologies and designs such as surveys, retrospective data analyses, simulation modeling, longitudinal observation, cross sectional observation, case control, or qualitative research study designs.
For more information about the grant and its application process, visit www.grants.gov
