1. What does the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) do?

The MSKTC receives funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to summarize research, identify health information needs and develop systems for sharing information for the NIDILRR model systems programs in traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI) and burn injury.

Projects include:

Working with experts within the model systems to review the latest research evidence relevant to their fields and summarize what is known about best practices and treatments. Systematic Reviews: (SCI, TBI, Burn)

Identifying what kinds of health information are needed by different groups patients, family members, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, etc. and developing materials that meet help those users make well-informed decisions. Meeting Information Needs

Developing a user-friendly system to share information with different constituent groups (patients, family members, doctors, policy makers, etc). Factsheets: (SCI, TBI, Burn)

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2. What is "Knowledge Translation"?

Knowledge translation (KT) is the process by which new knowledge is transformed into information that benefits society through changed policies, behaviors, programs and practices. KT involves several steps, from collecting and analyzing the latest research findings on a particular health topic and making recommendations about best practices and treatments based on the research, to ensuring that the information gets to the people who need it in a timely and useful manner. The long term goal of KT is improvement in peoples health and in the health care system.

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3. What is a "Model System"?

Model Systems are specialized programs of care in spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and burn injury funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to pool information and conduct research intended to improve the long-term functional, vocational, cognitive and quality-of-life outcomes in these populations.

National database: Each model system invites newly injured individuals to participate in an ongoing national database of patients with SCI, TBI or burn injuries. Data are collected on enrolled patients at regular intervals for up to 30 years after injury. This information is used to further the understanding of the long-term consequences of these injuries and to develop improved treatments and systems of care.

• TBI National Database http://www.tbindsc.org/
• SCI National Database http://www.uab.edu/NSCISC
• Burn Injury National Database http://burndata.washington.edu/

Research studies:

Every model system conducts its own site-specific research study and participates in one or more additional collaborative studies involving several model systems. Studies are aimed at testing innovative approaches to rehabilitation treatments and programs with the goal of improving the lives of individuals with these injuries.

Find a Model Systems center near you:

• TBI Model Systems (16 centers) http://www.msktc.org/tbi/model-system-centers
• SCI Model Systems (14 centers) http://www.msktc.org/sci/model-system-centers
• Burn Injury Model Systems (4 centers) http://www.msktc.org/burn/model-system-centers

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4. How does a center earn the designation "Model System"?

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) grants model system designation to institutions that are national leaders in medical research and patient care and provide the highest level of comprehensive specialty services, from the point of injury through rehabilitation and re-entry into full community life. Becoming a model system is a competitive application process, and grants are awarded for five-year periods.

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5. How can I find a doctor or facility in my area that specializes in SCI, TBI or burn injury rehabilitation or medical care?

Find a physician who specializes in physical and rehabilitation medicine (called physiatry) on the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine Web site at:

http://members.aapmr.org/AAPMR/AAPMR_FINDER.aspx

Find a rehab facility on the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities Web site at:http://www.carf.org/.

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6. How can I determine which center or hospital provides the best care?

Ask your physician(s) (trauma physician, neurosurgeon or other referring physician) what center they recommend and why.

Contact the model system of care in your region and ask for a recommendation.

• SCI Model Systems locations: http://www.msktc.org/sci/model-system-centers
• TBI Model Systems locations: http://www.msktc.org/tbi/model-system-centers
• Burn injury Model Systems locations: http://www.msktc.org/burn/model-system-centers

In general, facilities that treat a high volume of people with certain medical problems have the greatest expertise and use the most up-to-date treatment methods for those problems.

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7. Where can I find information and resources on spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) or burn injury?

• Factsheets: (SCI, TBI, Burn)
• Research Databases: (SCI, TBI, Burn)
• National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC): http://www.naric.com/

NARIC is an Internet gateway to disability- and rehabilitation-related information about projects and publications funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), including the Model Systems. Its resources include online publications, searchable databases, and reference and referral data.