Developing Swiss paraplegic research: building a research institution from the comprehensive perspective

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Research
• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides an integrative model for understanding human functioning.
• Establishing specialized research institutions requires a comprehensive approach to address unique challenges in studying complex conditions like spinal cord injury (SCI).

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the conceptualization and development of a research institution using the ICF model.
• To present Swiss Paraplegic Research, a new institution focused on SCI, as a case study for comprehensive research.
• To detail strategies for building an institution dedicated to human functioning research.

Main Methods:

• Describing the organizational development and structure of a newly founded research institution.
• Applying the ICF framework to guide institutional design and research focus.
• Outlining approaches to meet the challenges of establishing a specialized research entity.

Main Results:

• Successfully conceptualized and developed a research institution focused on SCI using the ICF model.
• Implemented strategies including defining a clear mission, organizing research by scientific fields, establishing core competencies, and designing complex study structures.
• Fostered a transdisciplinary workforce and integrated into a discipline-based research landscape.

Conclusions:

• The described approaches offer a model for creating integrative research institutions focused on human functioning and rehabilitation.
• The ICF framework is valuable for guiding the development of comprehensive research centers.
• Successful institutional development requires strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integration into the broader scientific community.