Research projects
Our work primarily concentrates on two population groups: persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the ageing population.
SCI represents a compelling case for studying disability, as it involves severe physical impairments often accompanied by multiple comorbidities. This group serves as an "upper-bound" or index case for understanding the multifaceted nature and economic consequences of disability.
Our research on SCI focuses on three main streams:
• Healthcare access and utilization: Examining patterns and inequalities in the use of health services.
• Long-term care and caregiving: Understanding the role of families in providing informal care and the associated economic burden.
• Rehabilitation services: Assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of rehabilitation programs.
We conduct this research using two key platforms:
Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI):
SwiSCI is a large-scale, nationwide longitudinal study launched in 2010. It aims to advance knowledge about the lived experiences, health outcomes, and social participation of individuals with SCI in Switzerland. The study tracks both traumatic and non-traumatic SCI cases across their life course and is one of the most comprehensive SCI studies in the world.
International Spinal Cord Injury Survey (InSCI):
Coordinated by Swiss Paraplegic Research, InSCI is the first global survey to gather comparable data on the experiences of individuals with SCI across more than 30 countries. It provides crucial insights into how diverse health systems and cultural contexts shape the lives of people with SCI worldwide.
In light of global demographic trends, we examine the growing prevalence and consequences of disability in older adults. As ageing often leads to functional decline, our research explores how rehabilitation can promote healthy ageing and extend individuals’ autonomy and participation in society.
Our work in this area focuses on the following streams:
• Direct costs of disability: Utilization and access to healthcare services
• Indirect costs of disability: Labor market impacts, including reduced work capacity and early retirement
• Role of health and social systems: Analysis of how integrated care models and social policies can mitigate the impacts of disability among older adults
