Medical University of South Carolina
College of Health Professions
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Fall 2001.

 
Course:  Research Seminar
Course number: RS-515
Class Hours: Starting week of 09-04-01 and ending week of 10-15-01
  Tuesday 3:00 - 5:00 pm  or Wednesday 3:00 - 5:00 pm or Thursday 3:00 - 5:00 pm

 
Faculty E-mail Day and Time Room
Thierry Bacro bacrotr@musc.edu Tuesday 3-5 pm SN 322
Sandy Brotherton brothers@musc.edu Wednesday 3-5 pm CHP 230
Elise Davis-McFarland davismcf@musc.edu Tuesday 3-5 pm CHP 311
Maralynne Mitcham mitchamm@musc.edu Wednesday 3-6 pm CHP 311
Michael Saladin saladinm@musc.edu Wednesday 3-5 pm CHP 227
Jack Thomas thomaskj@musc.edu Tuesday 3-5 pm SS 414
Holly Wise wisehh@musc.edu Thursday 3-5 pm SS 413
Hon Yuen yuen@musc.edu Thursday 3-5 pm *** CHP 311***
- 
* Click on the name of the Faculty in the table above to view their topic
** SN = Nursing building
*** SS = Student Health Center
 
Course description:
  This course provides an opportunity for the students to become more comfortable with reviewing and critiquing the scholarly literature in a specialized field of rehabilitation science.
  Objectives of the course:
  1. Demonstrate the ability to present research information and to understand /critique research methodology

2. Demonstrate the ability to question research findings and to lead small group discussion related to a chosen article

3. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize the research findings of an article and the highlights of a post-presentation discussion

4. Demonstrate the ability to participate actively and collegially in a seminar context.
 

 Course format:
  During the first meeting with the instructor of your section, the course description, objectives and requirements will be presented and discussed. During the first section meeting, each faculty will present an article and lead the students in a discussion to evaluate, critique and summarize the topic presented. This will set the expectations for the student presentations and discussion. The students will also sign-up on a sheet to present at a specific date and will be instructed to start searching for a paper to present within their chosen area of interest. After that initial meeting, section members will be expected to meet once weekly for 2 hours with their respective instructor during the specified time for their section (see appendix A for details), unless stated otherwise by the faculty leading the section. Section members will also be expected to spend an additional 2 hours per week reading and preparing for the weekly meeting,During the remaining weeks, the students will take turns to present and discuss an article that they will have chosen with the guidance of the instructor leading their section. Within ten days of the presentation, each student will have to submit a written summary of their presentation and discussion, written according to the guidelines presented in appendix B (unless stated otherwise by the faculty leading the section).
  Course requirements:
  1. The article. Each student will choose one or more article(s) to present in coordination with the instructor, distribute a copy of the chosen article to the mail-box of each student in the section by 5 pm the Friday preceding the week of the presentation. All students must read the article prior to come to class and prepare to ask questions during the discussion section. Students should be aware that they shall be graded on the quality of their questions.   2. The presentation. The students will be expected to present their article following the guidelines presented by the faculty during the initial presentation. The presentation and discussion should not exceed 25 minutes (15 and 10 minutes, respectively), unless stated otherwise by the faculty leading the section.

3. The written summary. The written summary will need to be 3 to 5 pages in length, typed in 12 cpi, double spaced, one inch margin on standard paper. The students will follow the guidelines established in appendix B to write the paper (unless stated otherwise by the faculty leading the section).

4. Attendance/Participation. As per the MUSC bulletin, attendance is required and "More than 3 total unexcused absences per term are suficient for placement on professional development probation". In addition, active and positive participation to the class will be expected from all students.
 

 Course evaluation.
  Each student will receive a merit grade at the end of the course. To calculate this grade, each instructor will quantify the quality of the student’s performance by assigning points (poor = 1 point, fair = 2 points, good = 3 points, very good = 4 points) in the following performance domains:1. Presentation (35%)

2. Questions/discussion (15%)

3. Written summary (35%)

4. Class attendance/participation (15%)

Note: The final grade will be calculated using weights that corresponds to the percentages indicated above and the instructor will use the following definitions to assign the points:

- Poor: marginal work, demonstrates lack of content knowledge and adequacy of response

- Fair: satisfactory work, demonstrates basic content knowledge and adequacy of response

- Good: strong work, demonstrates good content knowledge and thoughtfulness of response

- Very good: sophisticated work, demonstrates integration of content and an ability to thoughtfully propose creative solution



Appendix A.

New Areas of Clinical Research
in the Field of Rehabilitation Sciences
Thierry R.H. Bacro, Ph.D, MS, PT
In the last few years, the clinical field of rehabilitation sciences has been restricted by new legislation but also due to the growth of other categories of medical practitioners. On the other hand, new areas of clinical research have been expanding the field of rehabilitation sciences. In this seminar, we will identify, read and discuss articles dealing with these new areas.

Examples of topics will include but are not limited to:

  • Use of high frequency microwaves in neuro-rehabilitation
  • New protocols for conditions such as fibromyalgia
  • New modalities
Time block: Tuesday 3-5 pm
Room: TBA
Women’s Health
Sandy Brotherton
    Changes in reimbursement over the past several years have resulted in declines in patient referrals for rehabilitation. In response to this, innovative therapists have investigated new areas of practice. In particular, therapists have attempted to identify clients who would benefit from rehabilitation services and design programs to meet the needs of these clients. One area of practice that has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years is women's health.

    The purpose of this seminar is to examine the outcomes of rehabilitation interventions in the management of women’s health problems. Upper extremity lymphedema is a common problem that affects women after surgical and/or radiological treatment of breast cancer. Thus, outcomes following treatment of this condition is of particular interest. Outcomes of rehabilitation for patients with osteoporosis and incontinence, which significantly impact quality of life and function of many older women, will also be considered.

    Time block: Wednesday 3-5 pm
    Room: TBA

Cognitive and Communicative Disorders Related to
Chronic Diseases and Illnesses
Elise Davis-McFarland, PhD, CCC
This course will allow students to investigate the most current literature on cognitive and communicative disorders that occur with or in relation to chronic diseases and illnesses (i.e., systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, postpolio syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Schizophrenia, HIV). The seminar will concentrate on a review and critique of the current literature (qualitative and quantitative) in an attempt to determine the state of the research, its relevance to the rehabilitation professions, and its implications for intervention and treatment of clients/patients.

Time block: Tuesday 3-5 pm
Room: TBA

Spirituality in the lives and clinicians and patients
Maralynne D. Mitcham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
My colleague David Graber, PhD and I have received a grant from the Fetzer Institute to study spirituality in the lives of compassionate clinicians working in hospitals. Consequently, I would like to explore issues surrounding spirituality in the health care environment.

In this research seminar, we will examine quantitative and qualitative research articles that shed light on questions such as:

  • Does personal spirituality influence the therapeutic relationship?
  • How does spirituality influence rehabilitation outcomes?
  • Is there a place for spirituality in goal setting?
  • Does personal spirituality support clinicians in their daily work?
  • How do clinicians address the spiritual component of their patients’ lives?
  • How do patients perceive the role of spirituality in their recovery?
Time block: Wednesday 3:00 – 6:00 pm [September 5-October 3 only]
Room: TBA

Substance abuse in Traumatic Brain Injury
and Spinal Cord Injury
Michael E. Saladin, Ph.D

 
It is well known that there is a strong association between substance misuse and TBI/SCI. A significant number of persons presenting at trauma units with head or spinal cord injury are under the influence of one or more psychoactive substances. Likewise, many TBI and SCI patients meet criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD) prior to their injury. Furthermore, substance misuse does not always stop following these injuries and continued use often complicates recovery and diminishes the effectiveness of treatment. Thus, substance intoxication and misuse is an important contributing causal factor in TBI/SCI.

This seminar will examine various aspects of the association between substance use disorders and TBI/SCI. Potential topics include, but are not restricted to, the following:
1) Epidemiology (e.g., prevalence) of substance use, misuse and SUDs in persons with TBI/SCI.
2) Alcohol and other drug use as a causal factor in TBI/SCI.
3) The effects of TBI/SCI on subsequent use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs.
4) Assessment and treatment of SUDs in persons with either a TBI or SCI.
5) The effects of continued substance use on assessment and treatment of TBI/SCI.
 

Time block: Wednesday 3-5 p.m.
Room: TBA



Physical and Psychological Effects of Exercise on Older Individuals
K. Jackson Thomas EdD, PT
Over the past 2 decades, considerable interest has developed regarding the potential relationship between exercise and improved mental and physical health in older individuals. Although a gradual decline in functional capacity is expected to occur between the ages of 30 and 70, several researchers have attributed much of thedecline as being due to physical inactivity. Moreover, maintaining mobility, cognitive function, and a stable mood in older individuals has been defined as being basic toward prevention of ultimate placement in a nursing home or other long term care facility.

The purpose of this seminar will be to explore the recent literature on the topics of exercise and its physical and psychological effects on older persons. Activities will include finding published peer-reviewed articles that discuss current findings on the potential physical and psychological outcomes of different exercise protocols, relating them to such individuals, and presenting the articles orally.

Examples of topics could include (but are not limited to):

  • Older individuals' perceptions of exercise
  • Self-regulation of exercise among older persons
  • Effects if exercise on mood and affect in older persons
  • Effects of exercise on longevity
  • Effects of exercise on the immune systems of older persons
Time block: Tuesday 3-5 pm
Room: TBA
Health Promotion for People with Disabilities
Holly H. Wise, PT, PhD
Researchers, funding agencies and the general health community have begun to recognize the need for health promotion for the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities. The main focus of a health promotion program for people with disabilities is to promote good health practices and reduce the secondary conditions of aging with a pre-existing disability. The elimination of environmental barriers and the reduction of secondary conditions are cost-effective to society and help to enhance the overall quality and quantity of life of people with disabilities. In this seminar, we will identify, read and discuss articles dealing with this new area of rehabilitation. Examples of topics will include:
  • Aging with a Preexisting Disability—target patient populations may include but are not limited to the following diagnoses :
  • Polio
  • CVA
  • TBI
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Arthritis
  • Amputation
  • SCI
  • Health Promotion and Wellness in Rehabilitation
  • Health Behaviors
  • Healthy People 2010
  • Other
    • Time block: Thursday 3-5 pm
    Room: TBA
    Single Subject Research Design
    Hon K. Yuen, PhD., OTR
    Single subject research design (SSRD) has been widely used in clinical evaluation for a particular client. It is a scientific method to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention. SSRD is appropriate for clinicians of health professions to conduct outcome research.

    Students in this seminar will select articles (using SSRD) involving a variety of intervention techniques and critically examine them based on the specific guidelines provided.

    Time block: Tuesday 3-5 pm
    Room: TBA

    Appendix B.
     
     

    Written assignment

     
    To write your assignment, please respond, in your own words, to the following questions:

    - Briefly, describe the literature used by the authors to introduce their objective(s) and/or research questions. What is the significance of the objectives and/or research questions posed.

    - Summarize the problems, questions and hypotheses stated in your article

    - Describe the methods/design used in the study or issues addressed in the article

    - Summarize the key results and conclusion

    - Summarize the highlights of the post-presentation discussion

    - Discuss how the article might influence your future practice

    - Emphasize the critique rather than just the summarizing of the article

    - Please use APA format

    Created on 08-29-01 by Thierrry Bacro, Ph.D, PT
    Last modified on 08-31-01.
    Any Question? E-mail Thierry Bacro