Does anyone have advice on getting a medical study done?

PO2 Brandon Boucher — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 12:44:23 -0500

I'm currently writing up a study for PTSD and TBI research using Meditation and Alternative Energy therapies as an alternative to tradition treatment. I know this is a viable study because it has helped me and vastly improved my quality of life. I'm looking to get this study funded and underway, I would love to do it through the VA however they make that process VERY tedious and confusing. I'm looking to see if any fellow Vets out there have experience in this area and might be willing to give me some direction and pointers.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 20 at 2015 1:59 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 13:59:16 -0500

Contact the VA, VFW, American Legion. They all have reps that can help you.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 20 at 2015 3:44 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:44:49 -0500

You mention "funded" so the first major hurdle is the Money aspect.

Rather than look at the "Goal" look at the "Process." Remember that you are working within a Bureaucracy, and the trick is to navigate the maze for the cheese. The walls are intentionally designed to make the mouse give up or be caught in traps.

Once you understand what the process is, and whether you can use it, then apply your study over the top of it. It becomes a "fill in the blank" issue.

In essence, you want to find out:

1) Who handles funding for Medical Studies for the VA
2) What paperwork is required to submit for said funding
3) What is the approval process
4) Does the DAV/VFW/American Legion/other lobbying organization have am "arm" that deals with these things that you can leverage?

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 20 at 2015 7:21 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:21:28 -0500

Have you looked into this site?

http://www.mirecc.va.gov/

MIRECC/CoE Home

MIRECC, CoE, Mental Illness Research Education Clinical, Centers of Excellence, VA, Mental Health, Veterans

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 20 at 2015 7:26 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:26:19 -0500

Or this site?

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/research-priorities/index.shtml

NIMH » Research Priorities

Learn more about the research funding process at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 20 at 2015 7:27 PM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:27:47 -0500

And lastly,
http://www.grantwatch.com/cat/23/mental-health-grants.html

Mental Health Grants - GrantWatch

Mental health grants for nonprofits, organizations, clinicians, researchers and other professionals operating in the mental health field.

Response by TSgt Todd Kuikka made Nov 21 at 2015 10:08 AM

TSgt Todd Kuikka — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 10:08:55 -0500

I set up a statistical study for non-traditional and peer-to-peer mentoring for a veteran organization in MN called the Eagles Healing Nest. Their organization utilizes may alternative resources that the VA refuses to value. The analysis was intended to give validation to use of non-clinical approaches in addition to traditional resources. I set it up through Dr Gina Owens, a professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her team is collecting data through surveys at the Eagles Healing Nest. I set it up with the intent for that information to be shared so let me reach out and see what they have. The study is only about one year into development so data, may be limited.

Response by SGT Shannon Wasielewski made Nov 22 at 2015 9:25 AM

SGT Shannon Wasielewski — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 09:25:08 -0500

Have you tried checking with a VA Research Foundation? Any VA Medical Center that does research will have a separate research foundation that supports them. That might be the group you need to approach.

Response by Marty Salo made Nov 29 at 2015 11:41 AM

Marty Salo — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 11:41:20 -0500

Medical literature. Evidence based medicine works with what has been written in the medical literature. Consult medline, get some librarians to do some literature searches, find what has been written about it, and move forward. Most likely, there'll need to be some legwork done. Check out the Washington DC VAMC program about some holistic mindfulness meditation, I saw a flyer I think not too long ago http://www.washingtondc.va.gov/Wellness/services_for_vets.asp