Applied Cognition Task Force
Co-Chairs: Patricia Heyn and Sandie Kletzel
This task force has an article in press! It has grown to include twenty members who have an interest to address the unmet research related to cognition and rehabilitation outcomes and tools. As one of our older task forces being two years old, they have plans for next year to create a solid organizational structure and complete their efforts on a systematic review. Patricia leads the TBI Workgroup and Sandie leads the Geriatric Workgroup within this task force.
NEW! Biometrics and BioMarkers Task Force
Chair: Jan Niemeier
Seeking New Members …
This task force will study linkages of traditional rehabilitation tests and measures with metric technologies and molecular measures to collectively enhance characterization of individuals as well as tracking of outcomes after injury- or illness- related disablement. Leveraging of biologic and electronic measurement has the potential to increase understanding of injury/illness impact and recovery. This task force wants to grow its membership and generate systematic reviews as well as provide symposia and primers on how to initiate B & B measurement teams in a range of settings and studies.
NEW! Communications Task Force
Co-Chairs: Jan Niemeier and Jen Weaver
Seeking New Members …
This newly formed task force will aid in the dissemination of upcoming events and news related to the Measurement Networking Group and rehabilitation outcomes measurement. Currently, we provide content for the website and assemble our newsletter, Pre to Post. We are currently seeking new members to join this task force.
NEW! Curriculum Task Force
Co-Chairs: Lauren Terhorst and Shannon Juengst
Seeking New Members …
The creation of this task force was with recognition that measurement science is evolving faster than clinical education. Last year, a survey was developed for occupational therapy educators by Susan Magasi and is now ready for feedback. Our goal for the upcoming year will be to evaluate the survey from last year, including analysis of results and possible adaptation of the survey for Master’s and PhD programs to assess measurement-related training opportunities.
Lauren Terhorst
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, with secondary appointments in Nursing and the Clinical & Translational Science Institute. My areas of expertise are measurement and statistics, and I have over 10 years of experience as a statistician, methodologist, and statistical mentor. I have developed a doctoral-level instrumentation course that I taught for five years. Currently, I teach graduate-level statistics and oversee a psychometric journal club for doctoral students.
Shannon Juengst
Starting in January of 2017, I will be joining the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as an Assistant Professor, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling. I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a PhD in Rehabilitation Science. My research expertise is in community-based outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and I have over 10 years of experience in rehabilitation-related research. I have a growing expertise in instrument development and psychometric assessment, complimented by advanced training in evidence-based practice. I will be teaching graduate-level courses in research methodology and evidence-based practice in UTSW’s School of Health Professions.
Early Career Task Force
Co-Chairs: Deepan Kamaraj and Jason Raad
This task force has regular committee meetings and last year they developed a preliminary mission and goals. They had their inaugural first panel discussion during our Mid-Year Meeting. They want to enhance their efforts and expand their membership to reach students and professionals who have an interest on outcomes measurement.
They have created a Psychometrics Journal Club open to public and interested members. The faculty and students at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh meet once every three weeks for a journal club to discuss manuscripts pertaining to Psychometrics that focus on one of the following topics:
- Journal article of a new psychometric tool or instrument
- Journal article of an existing psychometric tool or instrument that explores new psychometric properties
- Student’s proposed or current work, dissertation, or other research projects.
The chosen article for discussion is selected a week before the meeting by a student, and the student leads the journal club the following week. This structure is intended to help students practice presentation skills in preparation for their doctoral competencies and defense. It is also intended to be a collaborative and supportive environment where members can get feedback on any ideas, proposed tools, or projects.
Interested members can call-in to participate in the discussion. If you are interested, please contact Deepan for further details!
PIRR 2017 Symposium
The Measurement Networking Group’s Early Career Task Force is excited to announce the “Outcomes and Measurement in Rehabilitation Research and Practice: The State of Science” symposia that will be presented at ACRM’s 94th Annual Conference this October in Atlanta. This symposium will invite the three best early career award winners from posters reflecting cutting edge research that are being conducted with specific focus on outcomes and measurement will be invited to present their work as podium presentations. The podium presentations will be followed by a discussion moderated by Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, providing context for how the work of the young investigators is advancing the state of rehabilitation science, enhancing care and outcomes for people with disabilities.
Dr. Deborah Backus, PT, PhD, Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia and ACRM President-Elect, will moderate this symposium. The symposium is an excellent opportunity for early-career professionals to present their work in ACRM and encourage their participation in the Annual Conference.
For more information about the MNG Early Career Task Force or to get involved, please contact Dr. Deepan Kamaraj or Dr. Jason Raad
Deepan Kamaraj
I am a physician, and a research associate at the Human Engineering Research Laboratories in Pittsburgh, pursuing my doctoral degree at the University of Pittsburgh. My research expertise is in developing novel measures and metrics to assess assistive technology device usage. In particular, my doctoral work has focused on evaluating powered mobility driving behavior and developing rehabilitation programs to enhance powered mobility driving. In addition, I co-teach a Psychometrics Journal Club for doctoral students at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
NEW! Mental Health Measurement Task Force
Chair: Tanja Laukkala
Seeking New Members …
This task force under Measurement Networking Group began from discussions during the Chicago ACRM meeting in November. Mental health measurement instruments are needed to assess and follow the effects of rehabilitation. The task force encourages members to contribute mental health instrument content for evaluation and inclusion in the Rehabilitation Measures Database. The task force members will determine additional activities as this committee grows. Please contact Tanja if you are interested in joining this task force to be a member or to serve as a co-chair.
Tanja Laukkala
I am an MD, PhD, specialist in Psychiatry and work as a Medical Advisor in the Finnish Social Insurance Institution Kela. I enjoyed the fall 2016 ACRM meeting and look forward to finding interested collaborators. I would be happy to have a Co-Chair of this Task Force since I work from Finland.
Rehabilitation Health Services Task Force
Co-Chairs: James Graham and Addie Middleton
Last year this task force developed its mission and objectives and submitted ACRM symposium highlighting taskforce opportunities. This taskf orce was put together based on input from interested investigators and MNG is proud to support their endeavors. We want to continue to grow the membership and promote active collaboration.
NEW! Rehab Measures Database Task Force
Co-Chairs: Linda Ehrlich-Jones
Seeking New Members …
Last year was the inaugural year for this task force. For next year, this task force aims to recruit new members, collaborate with allied health graduate programs and have the members write summaries for the database. If you are interested in joining this task force, please reach out to the chair, Linda Ehrlich-Jones.
Terminology Task Force
Chair: Allan Koszlowski
The Measurement Networking Group has formed a task force to review existing resources and recommend terms to standardize measurement terminology as it applies to rehabilitation research and practice. Other groups have defined measurement standards, such as the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments), and the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education, which jointly publish the Standard for Educational and Psychological Testing. However, these two resources define terms like validity in different ways, and neither has been reviewed for suitability for rehabilitation research and practice. For instance, in defining validity, COSMIN uses a traditional definition of “the degree to which an HR-PRO instrument measures the construct(s) it purports to measure,” whereas the Standard for Educational and Psychological Testing uses the definition of “the degree to which accumulated evidence and theory support a specific interpretation of test scores for a given use of a test.
The Terminology Task Force will compile and review a set of measurement terminology resources from a rehabilitation perspective, and make recommendations for a standard set of terms and definitions. Specific Task Force activities will be determined by the task force and could include a review of measurement term usage in rehabilitation journals. If you are interested in joining the task force, contact Allan Kozlowski.
