Message from the Institute Director, Rehabilitation Research
 |
Every day, I ask myself: is our research making a real difference in people’s lives? And are we providing good value for the money invested in our work?
There’s no doubt our research is having a demonstrable impact on people affected by disability and aging. We are producing new therapies and assistive technologies, and important advances in knowledge. |
Our work involves:
- developing treatments and technologies to prevent injury and illness, and restore function to a high level
- modifying the environment and devising technologies that allow people to continue to live at home, and move safely around the community
- lessening the burden on professional and family caregivers, and reducing their injuries
- working to increase accessibility, effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system, and reduce costs
A Growing Need
A wave is about to hit as baby boomers start to reach retirement age in 2011. This will add to the demand for rehabilitation services fuelled by a growing population that is living longer because of medical advances.
During their lifetime, almost everyone will at some point be affected by disability, either directly or by caring for someone who has a disability.
At Toronto Rehab, we’re providing solutions, from better assistive devices and home monitoring systems to new patient lifts. Our research is throwing light on serious, potentially life-threatening conditions like sleep apnea and swallowing disorders.
Value for Money
Formal mechanisms help assess whether our research is making a difference and providing a good return on investment. The International Scientific Advisory Committee, a team of distinguished scientists, independently reviews the quality and potential significance of our work. In 2008, the scientists praised the state of our research enterprise.
Dr. Walter Wodchis, a University of Toronto health economist and Toronto Rehab scientist, recently calculated the economic return on some of our research projects. His findings make a solid financial case for this work.
A fast-growing program
Created with a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, ours is one of the world’s most comprehensive rehabilitation research programs. We have a reputation for translating results into practice―and ideas into marketable products.
iDAPT: A world first
Construction of an amazing subterranean research lab is underway. It will be the centrepiece of the $36-million iDAPT Centre for Rehabilitation Research network of research facilities. We believe the iDAPT Centre (Intelligent Design for Adaptation, Design and Technology) will revolutionize rehabilitation science.
Vital Support
We are grateful to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and the agencies and foundations, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, among others, whose grants make our work possible. We also thank the generous individuals who donate to our research through the Toronto Rehab Foundation. With this support, and our valued affiliation with the University of Toronto, we are opening exciting possibilities for the future.
Dr. Geoff Fernie
Vice President, Research