Posted on Nov 20, 2015
Does anyone have advice on getting a medical study done?
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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.
PTSD
TBI
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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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.
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Contact the VA, VFW, American Legion. They all have reps that can help you.
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
I've been going through the VA but in order for me to submit it there I need to being working for them, or have someone who is working with them. I'm going to be submitting it outside the VA as well, but I really think they should get first crack at it.
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SCPO David Lockwood
I would think all you would need is a copy of you DD-214. This doesn't sound right.
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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
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
I've done a ton of the leg work already, the study is written with over 30 studies and scientific references in it. I also lead a meditation at the Bedford, MA VA weekly.
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Marty Salo
OK, so reach out to the folks at the DC VAMC, with the integrative health and wellness programs, and inquire about what else needs to happen for it to get published? If the study has already been done, but it sounds as if you'd like for a study to be done. Something that looks at the effectiveness of including meditation into the treatment programs, or at least trying to get more documentation.
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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.
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Mental Health Grants - GrantWatch
Mental health grants for nonprofits, organizations, clinicians, researchers and other professionals operating in the mental health field.
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Learn more about the research funding process at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
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MIRECC, CoE, Mental Illness Research Education Clinical, Centers of Excellence, VA, Mental Health, Veterans
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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?
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?
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
You are correct, that is the end result. I still need to have a rough estimate of cost when I put this together. I'm on step 3 actually. :)
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
PO2 Brandon Boucher Similar studies? Google has great Scholarly Papers resources, and you may be able to tap that to find similar studies, then use FOIA to find associated costs if they were done at State Sponsored of "Titled" Universities.
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PO2 Brandon Boucher
I actually have a resource at Harvard that I'm tapping for part of this as well.
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