Clinical Research

Research Programme Overview

ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand is committed to being part of growing the field of neuro-rehabilitation in New Zealand through scientific health research. We have been on this pathway for two years and we are developing a lively and productive research programme. Our investigators are our own staff members and academic organisations.

Our research programme has numerous aims but we are very passionate about applied research that seeks to impact on client outcomes and family support. We work hard to close the gap between the academics and those working at the coal-face. We are also passionate about building strong links with Universities in New Zealand to support workforce development, training and teaching opportunities. Particularly, our relationship with AUT is very important to us. We are hoping to be able to make an important announcement in this regard in early 2011. We are actively developing links with significant data collection organisations in the United States and Australia.

The strategic driver of the programme is to develop innovative, cost-effective, quality and evidence-based models of practice. Those who fund services rightly demand this of us and clients have the right to expect it.

We want to collaborate internationally and learn from others. All of this is for one purpose – to build the field and therefore provide to New Zealanders access to rehabilitation services that can benchmark creditably with any comparable service in the world.

ABI New Zealand reports, conference proceedings, and publications

ABI New Zealand produces a number of reports, conference presentations and other papers and publications. For your convenience these can be accessed from our Research Resources page.

Research: expression of interest

ABI New Zealand has a client volume of approximately 300 moderate-to-severe TBI cases, 200 mild TBI cases, and numerous stroke presentations annually. The organisation also has an in-house research and data group with expertise in study design, data management, data quality systems, statistical analysis, literature review, and peer-reviewed communication methods. We are happy to share information and learning and to collaborate with other providers or individuals in research projects and data collection.

Please contact us to arrange a discussion with the Research Director.