Caroline Picard awarded FRQ grant – Salary support for healthcare professionals 2024

A symbiotic relationship between the clinical environment and rehabilitation research!

Ms Caroline Picard, D. Psy, neuropsychologist, clinical direction of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) program at CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CCSMTL) receives the “Salary support for healthcare professionals” grant of 75,000 over a 3-year period from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) – Health sector, to enable a major advance in the research project “Étude quasi-expérimentale sur l’efficacité du groupe de psychothérapie et de soutien (GPS) : une approche innovante pour mieux s’adapter après un traumatisme craniocérébral léger“.

The GPS research project: An innovative approach to rehabilitation

The psychotherapy and support group aims to improve users’ adaptation after a mild (mTBI), often referred to as a concussion. Developed by two clinicians at the Institut de réadaptation-Gingras-Lindsay-de-Montréal (IRGLM) of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, it builds on evidence-based data to propose an innovative approach that better supports users in their rehabilitation process. The GPS group intervention, which is offered face-to-face or via tele-rehabilitation, responds to users’ need to share their experience of TBI. It aims to improve mood, self-determination and quality of life, as well as role resumption and social participation. The results of this study could influence clinical practices with people who have undergone TBI, and eventually be proposed to other populations with similar challenges.

The scientific direction of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR) and the Institut universitaire sur la réadaptation en déficience physique de Montréal (IURDPM) congratulate Caroline and her team on this important grant. We are proud to be able to watch this unifying project evolve, with the support of the rehabilitation community, clinical teams and the commitment of a wide range of researchers and collaborators. In 2021, the GPS research project took off thanks to support from CRIR’s New Initiatives program.

Research team:

Caroline Picard

Caroline Picard, D. Psy, neuropsychologist, clinical direction of the TBI program at CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CCSMTL). Clinical member of CRIR-IURDPM

Project investigator and lead GPS clinical facilitator, Caroline brings a strong clinical vision to the project thanks to her extensive expertise in neuropsychology and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

In her work with the IRGLM TBI Program, she interacts directly with patients, enabling her to understand their specific needs.

Anne-Sophie Langlois

Anne-Sophie Langlois, PhD, neuropsychologist, TBI program, CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO)

An experienced clinician who has been involved in the project from the outset, Anne-Sophie brings a wealth of practical experience and in-depth knowledge of the realities in the field. Her role is essential to the implementation of Tele-GPS interventions at CISSSMO.

The initiator of the CCSMTL – CISSSMO collaboration, she will continue to play an important role in the next stages of the research project.

Michelle McKerral

Michelle McKerral, PhD, neuropsychologist, full professor and director, Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal. Researcher at CRIR-IURDPM

Michelle directs the CRIR-IURDPM R3 LAB Brain injury laboratory, as well as being head of the psychology department at the Université de Montréal. She is also a member of the steering committee of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Brain and Learning (CIRCA).

Michelle has supported the two clinicians in their research and contributed her scientific expertise from the outset of the project.

Thanks to the “Soutien salarial pour les professionnels et professionnelles de la santé” grant from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) – Health sector, the GPS project team will be able to continue collecting data from a greater number of users and add control groups. This innovative inter-CIUSSS/CISSS collaboration between CCSMTL and CISSSMO will enable the implementation of Tele-GPS at a new site, CISSSMO, and ensure wider dissemination of GPS. GPS has the potential to speed up initial care and thus promote accessibility to healthcare. This intervention aims to accentuate the positive effects of rehabilitation on the overall well-being of individuals and their contribution to the community.

According to the research project team, it is important to disseminate this approach in other settings in order to contribute to the accessibility of psychological care. Stay tuned for further developments in this promising project!

Information

Read the news in PDF format here.
For more information on the GPS intervention and the progress of the research project, please contact Caroline Picard at caroline.picard.psy.ccsmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.

CRIR | August 23, 2024 – Caroline Picard awarded FRQ grant – Salary support for healthcare professionals 2024