Research in Rehabilitation
Joint Research Programme Rehabilitation Science by BMBF and the German Pension Insurance
In view of the increasing medical and economic importance of rehabilitation in the treatment of the chronically ill it is necessary to improve and update rehabilitation techniques continuously. Current developments in this branch of health care include a move to greater flexibility and individuality in patient care, an increasing demand for interdisciplinary networks linking the medical, social and work-related aspects of rehabilitation treatment, as well as an increased awareness of the need to make effi cient use of limited resources. In such a rapidly evolving field it is imperative to use scientifi c research to find solutions to current challenges and further develop rehabilitation therapies and strategies.
To strengthen rehabilitation science in Germany, the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Pension Scheme have initiated a joint research programme, in which eight regional research networks are supported with a total of 80 Million DM. These research networks, which were the winners of a nationwide competition for funding, have a promising infrastructure, and address important questions in rehabilitation research through specialized projects.
The joint research programme aims to improve the quality and international competitiveness of rehabilitation science, as well as promoting its transformation into a fully fl edged fi eld of research and teaching within the scientifi c community. This requires the establishment of lasting structures in the scientifi c landscape and the integration of rehabilitation research in universities as well as in the rehabilitation institutions. To this end, the German Pension Insurance Institutes have furthermore-endowed professorships, and involve their own rehabilitation centres in the research networks.
The regional networks embrace university and rehabilitation institutes as well as the funding organizations. Scientists and other experts from different disciplines can effectively collaborate. This comprehensive approach covers the medical, psychological, occupational and social consequences of chronic disease. Special attention is paid to the practical relevance of research results, and whether they would give rise to a signifi cant improvement in patient care and its underlying structures. Cooperation between a major provider social security institution and the Federal Ministry provides very good framework for a fast transfer of scientifi c results into everyday patient care.
This brochure aims to bring the reader closer to the varied and interesting research fi eld of rehabilitation science. It shows how research can contribute to the optimisation of rehabilitation therapy, and it introduces the eight research networks supported by the joint research programme. Selected examples of research projects from the networks bring to life in individual chapters what rehabilitation research really entails. The preliminary research results presented in this brochure strengthen our view, that, in pursuing the joint research programme, we are on a road to success.
[Introduction]