Developing a Comprehensive Health Services Research Capacity in Physical Disability and Rehabilitation

Abstract

The lack of an adequate capacity for policy-oriented disability research in the United States has hampered decision making in all aspects of disability policy. This article considers the development of a comprehensive Health Services Research (HSR) capacity in physical disability and rehabilitation, which would examine the organization, provision, and financing of health care services for persons with physical disabilities. Despite the substantial health care needs of such individuals, there have been relatively few HSR studies on the health care issues that affect their lives. This article considers why this is the case, and suggests a strategy for developing a comprehensive HSR/disability capacity. It further presents an agenda for HSR in the areas of trauma care and post-trauma acute care, medical rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation primary care, and long-term support services for persons with physical disabilities.