I think Frank Conijn has made an important suggestion in his message of 3
February. Namely: 'We have to work on saving our profession. But we can only
do that with <valid!>, in the absence of validat<ed> arguments'.
It is clear that such arguments can only be obtained via due research.
However it is my personal impression that current PT researches worldwide
are mostly isolated and poorly coordinated (if coordinated at all). As far
as I know, PT investigations have mainly been carried out at medical
universities which may have their own local/specific interests, biases, and
priorities, which not always take into account the higher goals of our
profession. In addition, it seems that the teaching activity of university
researchers has taken too much their time.
In my opinion, we could consider an establishment of a global PT research
network dedicated exclusively to searching for those arguments Frank
mentioned. Small informal groups of researchers or even separate individuals
(e.g. supported with appropriate grants) could also be included into such a
network. Of course, it would hugely be welcome to coordinate these
researchers' investigations conducted in various countries (i.e. conducted
using a multi-central design). I think a possible bureaucratic manner of
such coordination will be minimized if we'll find several respectable PT
researchers worldwide who will rather be more interested in scientific
soundness of our profession than in their remunerations appropriate. I do
not know whether the World Confederation for Physical Therapy has its
Research Department. If yes, then we surely could use their experience and
potentialities. If no, then we could use their successful experience as to
effective organizing the PT practice and adapt it, to some extent, to
coordination of our research efforts worldwide.
Money? For the moment, I do not know from where. I am very far from
answering this question. Especially when sitting in this 'restructuring'
country. Maybe PT equipment companies... Maybe grant-giving organizations
(why not The Wellcome Trust, the most serious and powerful biomedical
sponsor
over the globe?).. Maybe appropriate State Departments charged with
improving the quality of health care... Maybe all the listed in
conjunction...
I hope somebody from my colleagues abroad will be more productive in
economic assessing such a project and advising relevant sources of funding
worldwide. Let's think together. And create, anyhow, something like an
'International Confederation for Physical Therapy Researchers'. Or 'World
Physical Therapy Research Institute' (even virtual, not formal).
In order to the validity of future results obtained by researchers of such a
network cannot then be called in question by empowered persons and other
people, we should accordingly select those researchers taking into account
their scientific degrees, professional honours, etc, which have currently
been recognized in most countries.
I am confident of extreme necessity of urgent enhancing the level of today's
PT research, and launching high-quality investigations into the mechanisms
of influence of main PT agents and interventions. On the other hand, I am
sure that only sincerely devoted to Physical Therapy researchers from
various countries whose efforts have delicately been coordinated by their
senior colleagues - informal consultants/coordinators - are able to provide
us with the arguments Frank mentioned.
What do you think about, dear colleagues?
Stanislav Korobov, PhD
PO Box 7, Odessa, 65089, UKRAINE
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