University of Michigan-Flint

Faculty Name:  Edgar Torres

Department:  Physical Therapy

Campus Address:  2157 WSW

Email:  edgarto@umflint.edu

Phone:  810-762-3373

Project Description:  The Urban Health and Wellness Center Physical Therapy clinic (UHWC PT) currently serves a medically underserved population.  All UHWC patients are enrolled in the Genesee Health Plan (GHP) as they meet the required income qualifications for the program.  Members of this population are generally at a lower educational level than typical area physical therapy clinic patients. 

The clinic currently utilizes a written version of the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) to assess pain and function.  Two recent pilot research projects conducted at the UHWC show that patients self report high pain, low function, and low self efficacy (Halbert 2008, Torres 2011).  The health questionnaires used in these research projects are known to have good reliability and validity for general populations.  The reliability and validity for medically underserved populations is less clear.  The authors of the surveys estimate that completion of the surveys take approximately 5-10 minutes. However, it has been our experience that completion takes 15-25 minutes for UHWC patients.  The UHWC pilot research resulted in an expected high correlation between function and self-efficacy.  However, the correlation between function and pain, self-efficacy and pain, and fear avoidance with function or pain was poor to fair.  This was a surprising finding and we suspect that understanding of the survey questions was a factor.  We noted that a high number of the subjects in these two research projects had less that a formal high school education.

Semesters Desired:  Fall 2011 AND Winter 2012

GSRA Position Description:  The GSRA will work with the UHWC PT director to research the literature for articles related to assessment of self-perceived health.  A detailed literature search for written, verbal, and technology assisted survey methods will be conducted. 

Once a through literature analysis is conducted, the GSRA will create a technology assisted verbal survey of the VAS, ODI, and PSEQ.   Options such as the potential for utilizing PowerPoint, touch screen technology, etc. will need to be explored.  The GSRA will consult with others who may have expertise in creating technology assisted surveys (i.e. faculty and staff from UM Flint’s Public Health and Health Sciences, Communications departments, etc.). 

The GSRA will then work with the UHWC PT director to write a research proposal for a formal study.  The GSRA will also assist in the completion of the IRB application.

Specific Day/Time Requirements:  Day/time requirements are flexible based on the GSRA and UHWC director's schedules.  Informal input regarding the technology assisted surveys may be solicited from UHWC clinicians and patients.  The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm.

Special Requirements:  The work of the GSRA will not require subject data collection.  However, I expect that the work completed will lead to a formal research project and the GSRA will be involved in the initial phases of the project.  For this reason I will have the GSRA complete the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training conducted by the UHWC.  Currently, this is a one-time training that takes approximately 20 minutes.  The GSRA will also be required to complete the PEERRS (Program for Education and Evaluation in Responsible Research and Scholarship) certification program offered by the University of Michigan, Office of Research.  Specifically, the Foundations of Good Research Practice and Human Research, Biomedical and Health Sciences modules will have to be completed.  This certification program will take approximately two to three hours. 

Given the nature of the project I expect that the GSRA will have contact with outside experts from UM Flint as mentioned above as well as contact with Physical Therapist faculty members who have conducted health surveys research. 

The ideal GSRA should have a desire to work with underserved patients and to engage in the research process. 

Graduate Students in These Programs May Apply:  Education (MA/Ed.S.); Health Education (MS); Physical Therapy (DPT/Certificate); Public Health (MPH)