Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Traumatic Brain Injury : New Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives

Abstract

The aim of the Centre of Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of the Greater Montreal (CRIR) is to develop and refine, through its research activities, the scientific basis and knowledge required to guide effective and efficient rehabilitation interventions. The inverse is equally true, since, from issues encountered in the rehabilitation institutions, clinical practice guides the direction of scientific activities. Other goals of the CRIR are to strengthen partnerships between the universities and the clinical community, to build a succession of future researchers through the graduate study programs and scientific activities it organizes, and to develop a research culture in the rehabilitation institutions. When the first volume of the Publications du CRIR was launched just over a year ago, the Publishing Committee made a commitment to publish a second volume on the theme of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This issue currently provides very fertile ground for research and reflection among the members of our research centre. Moreover, we must not forget that this type of trauma causes high morbidity in Canada and Quebec. Progress in advanced medical technologies and the speed of emergency response have raised the life expectancies of these individuals, and have clearly made a significant impact on them and their families in the short, medium and long term. One year later, this second volume is an indicator of our efforts to respond, as well as possible, to the needs of those affected by TBI and their families. This volume is intended to disseminate the research and clinical studies on TBI that have been conducted under the auspices of the CRIR. Throughout the writing of this book, our hope was that it would bring together the interests of the diverse health care professional in the rehabilitation community, including the researchers and their students, all those who care for individuals who have sustained a TBI, the managers of the rehabilitation institutions, and the trauma victims themselves, along with their families.