The University of Washington Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (UW MSKTC) was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) from 2006-2011.

The objectives of UW MSKTC were:

• To enhance understanding of the quality and relevance of the SCI, TBI, and Burn Injury Model Systems Programs’ research findings via a systematic review of evidence in SCI, TBI, and Burn injuries.
• To enhance knowledge of advances in SCI, TBI, and Burn injury research among consumers, clinicians, and other end-users.
• To create a knowledge management system to centralize resources developed by the SCI, TBI, and Burn Injury Model Systems for effective and uniform dissemination and technical assistance.

Primary activities of UW MSKTC included:

• Development of evidence-based and consumer-ready Consumer Information
• Conducting Systematic Reviews of evidence.
• Research and Training.

For more information contact us at the Center for Technology and Disability Studies

CONSUMER INFORMATION

The consumer materials listed below were produced through a collaboration between the UW MSKTC and the TBI, SCI, and Burn Injury Model Systems. This health information is based on research evidence and/or professional consensus and has been reviewed and approved by an editorial team of experts from the Model Systems.

• Our approach
• TBI factsheets
• SCI factsheets
• Burn Injury factsheets

UW MSKTC collaborated with Model System programs to conduct systematic reviews on high priority health topics to inform clinical practice.

• Our approach
• Systematic reviews tools & databases
• TBI systematic reviews
• SCI systematic reviews
• Burn Injury systematic reviews

RESEARCH & TRAINING

Publications

• Corrigan JD, Bogner J, Hungerford DW, Schomer K. (2010). Screening and Brief Intervention for Substance Misuse among Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. J. of Trauma, 69(3), 722-6.
• Fann JR, Hart T, Schomer KG. (2009). Treatment for Depression Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. J. Neurotrauma.2009 Aug 21. doi:10.1089/neu.2009.1091.

• Johnson, K., Brown, P., Harniss, M., Schomer, K. (2010). Knowledge translation in rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation Education, 24, 239-48.

• Kalpakjian, C., Bombardier, C., Schomer, K., Brown, P. & Johnson, K. (2008). Measuring depression in persons with spinal cord injury: A systematic review. J.Spinal Cord Med (31), 47-65.
• Lawrence JW, Mason ST, Schomer K, Klein MB. (2011). Epidemiology and Impact of Scarring Following Burn Injury: A systematic review of the literature. J. of Burn Care & Research.
• Mason ST, Esselman P, Fraser R, Schomer K, Truitt A, Johnson K. (2011). Return to work after burn injury: A systematic review. J. of Burn Care & Research.
• Matter B, Feinberg M, Schomer K, Harniss M, Brown P, Johnson K. (2009). Information Needs of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 32(5), 545–554.
• Watanabe TK, Bell KR, Walker WC, Schomer K. (2011). Systematic Review of Interventions for Post Traumatic Headache. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
• Information Needs Report 2009: SCI & TBI Populations. This report describes findings from an information needs survey administered to individuals with SCI or TBI.
• Information Needs of Health Professionals: Literature Review Summary. This report provides a brief summary of what we know about meeting the clinical information needs of health professionals and provides recommendations for addressing these unmet needs.

Training

• Guidelines for Creating User-Friendly Websites. Manual on developing a website that is easily used by your target audiences.
• Using Your Website for Knowledge Translation Webcast Series. These webcasts prvide guidance on how to create an effective, user-friendly, accessible website. (Powerpoint format)
• Creating a User-Friendly Website (January 27, 2009). In this webcast, we discuss why it is important to make sure you have an effective and high-quality website, the current status of Model System websites, and ways to make Model System websites more friendly, usable and professional. You will learn about the common problems among the Model System websites and easy ways to address these problems. At completion of this webcast, you will be able to evaluate your website for usability, design materials targeted appropriately to your target audiences, and suggest ways to improve the organization and layout of your website to website developers.
• Improving Your Website’s Effectiveness (March 24, 2009). In this webcast, we discuss more advanced website design topics related to navigation, site-level organization, website planning and evaluation. These topics may require more systemic change than the topics discussed in Webcast #1, but have greater impact as well. At completion of this webcast, you should be able to participate in a planning process to improve your site’s content, structure and organization as well as evaluate its effectiveness.
• Website Accessibility: Becoming an Advocate for People with Disabilities (May 19, 2009). In this webcast, we describe common website accessibility problems and solutions. We frame our discussion within the context of the Section 508 standards and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. At completion of this webcast, you should be able to discuss and advocate for accessibility with your web developers and advocate for accessible design.
• Best Practices in Developing Consumer Information. This document provides a brief summary of ways to develop content that is understandable by your target audience.