# LeaRRN: the Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network

> **NIH NIH P2C** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $309,060

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY 
Learning health system (LHS) research is a pivotal way to engage the research community with the clinical 
community to mitigate the 17-year evidence to practice gap, improve quality of care and optimize patient 
outcomes. The 3-part LHS process a) transforms data to knowledge by assembling, analyzing, and interpreting 
data; b) applies knowledge gleaned through data to improve performance by feeding the data-knowledge back 
into practice to create change; and c) gathers performance data to update and continue the learning cycle 
building on best practices. A LHS approach in rehabilitation could accelerate the testing and adoption of 
practices under real-world conditions. However, knowledge and use of LHS research methodology in medical 
rehabilitation is limited. While some LHS research resources exist, focusing predominantly on implementation 
science and bioinformatics in medical settings, these resources are fragmented and serve only selected 
institutions, investigators, or disciplines. LeaRRN will unify LHS research resources across the disciplines of 
rehabilitation. LeaRRN’s Didactic Interaction component activities will foster awareness of LHS research within 
the rehabilitation clinical and scientific communities and deliver training and networking opportunities that build 
competencies to advance LHS research. The specific aims for the Didactic Interactions component are to: 1) 
facilitate awareness of the LHS cycle to facilitate the transformation of rehabilitation care; 2) equip researchers 
and clinicians with LHS research skills; and 3) accelerate the adoption of LHS research competencies in 
rehabilitation through consultation and collaboration. We will capitalize on a multimodal education and training 
approach to enhance awareness, build competency, and accelerate adoption of a LHS approach in medical 
rehabilitation. This component will develop and disseminate didactic content linked to real-world case 
examples illustrating implementation and dissemination of knowledge to change practice within clinical 
rehabilitation contexts, and offer training workshops, symposia, and educational resources (e.g., web-based, 
print materials) to medical rehabilitation clinicians and scientists to develop and implement LHS competencies 
in a clinical context. Didactic activities will foster LHS competency development, implementation and 
collaboration between researchers and health systems by utilizing web-based resources and consultation in 
addition to in-person events and networking activities, The Didactic Interactions component will be led by Drs. 
Mary Slavin (BU) and Theresa Shireman (Brown). The Didactic Interactions team with specialized skills in 
stakeholder engagement, improvement and implementation science, health systems and health economics will 
plan activities and draw upon the extensive pool of faculty from the collaborating academic institutions to 
provide extensive and varied programming venues and cons...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163231
- **Project number:** 5P2CHD101895-02
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Theresa I. Shireman
- **Activity code:** P2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $309,060
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163231

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163231, LeaRRN: the Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (5P2CHD101895-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163231. Licensed CC0.

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