PM&R Clinical Guidance Statement on Cerebral Palsy Management for Adults - Applications Due December 31

The TEP will be expected to meet monthly for over the course of the 12-month Guidance Statement development process. Access the application here.

Project Overview:

The American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation’s (AAPM&R) Evidence, Quality and Performance Committee (EQPC) is charged with advancing the understanding of evidence and physiatry practice.  One aspect of this strategy is to identify and develop tools and resources to support physiatric quality of care and promote knowledge building.  

EQPC is developing specialty focused clinical guidance to advance knowledge and promote standards of care and best practices based on the best available evidence to share with our membership and all healthcare stakeholders.  The ability to systematically evaluate the current evidence base for physiatry, define standards/best practices.  Disseminating to the public will elevate the specialty. 

Rational for Topic Selection:

The Academy has prioritized the next focus area for our guidance statement development work: Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Adults. CP in Adults was determined as an appropriate next topic because physiatrists are not often specifically trained on CP in adults during residency; however, physiatrists are the best equipped to work with this patient population as they transition out of pediatric care. Further, physiatrists play a crucial role in the comprehensive management of adults with CP due to the multidisciplinary approach with specific attention to factors related to disability that can further lead to healthcare disparities.

Technical Expert Panel (TEP) Objectives:

The TEP will develop one guidance statement on Cerebral Palsy Management for Adults. Members of the TEP will be authors of the practice guidance and will be required to write, edit, and finalize the statement.

Primary objectives include:

• Determine guidance type
• Adhere to methodology determined by EQPC
• Update evidence review using current, high-quality evidence
• Frame literature review search terms/parameters
• Define research questions
• Finalize outline and guidance template
• Determine dissemination path and timeline
• Develop and write manuscript
• Review manuscript, present to EQPC and prepare for dissemination
  
  

Scope of Responsibilities:

The TEP’s role is to develop and write the guidance statement and provide status updates, input and advice to the EQPC on the development of the statement for Cerebral Palsy Management for Adults.

As such, members are expected to attend all meetings and to notify AAPM&R staff should circumstances change where they no longer wish to participate. In the case of scheduling conflicts, we ask members to provide any feedback or thoughts on the materials and discussion questions for AAPM&R staff to share with the panel. In some circumstances, a TEP member may designate a temporary replacement from their organization. Any substitute is subject to approval, as we strive to ensure a balanced and diverse composition.

TEP Member Qualifications and Requirements:

In an effort to ensure a balanced, diverse and knowledgeable TEP, the composition of the TEP shall include:

• At least 1 patient/caregiver perspective (when appropriate)
• Clinical guideline/guidance development
• Translational research – research to practice
• Cerebral Palsy clinical practice experience (both pediatric, adult and the transition from pediatric to adult)
• Evidence review and education in Cerebral Palsy Management for Adults
• Health Equity and Disparities (e.g., race, ethnicity, English proficiency, rural location, disability)