Center for Outcomes Research and Education

Research
	A Twenty-Year History of Research Funding in Occupational Therapy
	Student Research Grants
	Research Priorities
	Research Competencies

Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE)
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What is CORE?

The CORE was initially a three-year project funded in 1994 by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF). Dr. Gary Kielhofner, Principal Investigator, Drs. Craig Velozo and Joy Hammel, Co-Principal Investigators, and Dr. Denise Reid, Co-Investigator, led the Center. The CORE continues under the direction of Dr. Kielhofner as a national resource for development and implementation of research studies that will demonstrate the value and efficacy of occupational therapy.

What is UIC's role as the Center for Outcomes Research and Education?

CORE initially received a total of $300,000 over three years in order to undertake activities that would enhance research on outcomes in the field of occupational therapy. The Center stimulates outcome studies, builds organizational capacity, creates leaders in occupational therapy research, and enhances individual practitioners' knowledge, skills and commitment to outcome research. In addition, the Center at UIC also creates synergies between researchers, practitioners and institutions to initiate and sustain a robust tradition of outcomes research in occupational therapy.
CORE created an interacting community of scholars -- five research faculty from UIC and 12 research fellows from 11 other universities throughout the United States, Canada and Sweden. As the outcomes research of these participating scholars comes to fruition, evidence concerning the impact of occupational therapy practice is being augmented significantly worldwide.

What has CORE accomplished?

Now beginning its eighth year of operation, CORE has already accomplished the following:

CORE fellows have generated over $11 million in funding
CORE sponsors doctoral and post-doctoral fellows
The concept of a scholarship of practice has generated two new international efforts in London and Stockholm to replicate CORE's idea of advancing and documenting the outcomes of practice. Notably, these efforts bring together scholars and practitioners in a common effort
The concept of a scholarship of practice has generated two new international efforts in London and Stockholm to replicate CORE's idea of advancing and documenting the outcomes of practice. Notably, these efforts bring together scholars and practitioners in a common effort
CORE sponsored a series of events at the 2002 AOTA conference in Miami and a one-day institute at the AOTA Council on Education Program Directors' Meeting in November 2002
Look for the scientific panel on Participatory Action Research being sponsored by CORE and AOTF at the AOTA annual conference in June 2003

Why is Outcomes Research Important to the Field of Occupational Therapy?

Outcomes research enhances occupational therapy practitioners' ability to engage in evidence-based practice, and the profession's ability to influence health policy and health care funding by validating the impact and cost-benefit of occupational therapy services. The process of conducting outcomes research both requires and results in the development of more sophisticated researchers and leaders, more informed practitioners, and greater intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What Does the CORE Grant Mean to YOU?

The UIC Center for Outcomes Research and Education offers many exciting opportunities for faculty, researchers, students, and clinicians worldwide!
CORE shares information and resources with a wide range of faculty, students, practitioners, and organizations to improve the profession's commitment to and capacity for outcomes research. To learn more about CORE, visit their website at www.uic.edu/ahs/OT/CORE/coreindex.htm.

While initially CORE was jointly supported by AOTA and AOTF we now acknowledge with great appreciation a multi-year contribution from Smith & Nephew - Rehabilitation Division to support the activities of CORE. In addition, members of the AOTF Board of Directors have created a funding consortium with contributions earmarked to support the CORE.