The primary purpose of the AARC Vision Grant is to provide funding to members conducting research initiatives that can document the clinical and economic impact of respiratory therapists specifically related to the organization’s mission to secure the highest quality care for all patients who suffer from cardiopulmonary disease.
Request for Applications
The AARC invites interested parties to submit a one-page letter of intent (LOI) for possible funding that advances the profession of respiratory care by Feb. 28, 2023.
Review of projects that focus on innovative ways to educate the workforce that continually increases the level of competency within the profession are needed, as well as how to communicate to consumers of respiratory therapy (professionals and patients) regarding outcomes-based research on lower mortality, increased quality and safety, and lower costs when respiratory therapists are involved in care.
Deadline
Letter of Intent Deadline — Feb. 28, 2023.
Submission Requirements
Once a letter of intent is approved, an electronic (PDF) copy of the application in one document (a detailed description of the proposal requirements is included below) is required. Cost sharing is encouraged with educational institutions, professional organizations, hospital systems, and foundations. Deadline for invited full proposal is June 1, 2023.
Overview and Goals
The AARC is providing funding for research that investigates outcomes in education of the respiratory care workforce, with emphasis on education that increases competency. Funding is also available for research based on outcomes that demonstrate the cost effectiveness of respiratory care in terms of lower morbidly and/or lower mortality, increased quality and patient safety.
The review committee seeks proposals that may include the use of the AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines, clinical interventions or issue paper statements. The committee stresses the need for the proposal to adequately describe a research plan that addresses the effect of educational level of respiratory therapist to quality of care indicators, patient safety, and/or departmental/ institutional/ company performance on core value measures.
Examples below illustrate the types of proposals the AARC Vision Grant seeks to fund:
- Proposals with the purpose of conducting data-set analysis outcomes – comparing test scores/educational levels to the competencies needed before and after entry into the workforce.
- Proposals with the purpose of evaluating methods or technologies used to educate either students or practitioners to increase competencies in the following areas:
- Patient outcomes: ventilator days, length of stay, readmission rates, reintubation rates, VAE rates
- Disease management: patient-driven protocols, recognizing and resolving patient deterioration on mechanical ventilation, acute disease exacerbation, airway emergencies, etc.
- Patient transport
- Pulmonary diagnostics, bronchoscopy, etc.
- Proposals focused on an outcomes-based research project that evaluates the cost and quality benefits of having respiratory therapists as part of the patient care team. The research should compare morbidity, mortality and/or cost effectiveness of respiratory therapists in patient care settings where they may or may not be used. These may include but are not limited to:
- Critical care units
- General hospital care facilities
- Pulmonary outpatient or rehabilitation clinics
- Diagnostic facilities (PFT labs, bronchoscopy, etc.)
- Home care or transport teams
Eligibility
All are encouraged to submit a LOI that describes a research plan that can adequately investigate the effect of educational level of respiratory therapists to quality of care indicators and patient safety or departmental/institutional performance on core value measures. Preferences given when respiratory therapists are the PI or co-PI. At least one member of the research group must be an active member of the AARC as verified by the executive office.
Applications of any amount up to $50,000 accepted for review.
Proposal Contents and Page Limits
The one-page LOI should address the research questions, research methods, and significance of the research. If the LOI is accepted, interested researchers will be asked to submit an application of no more than ten pages, including:
- State the scientific rationale for the study and detail how this study advances the profession of respiratory care
- Provide specific research question(s) that are sufficiently focused to carefully map issues related to the safety and quality of respiratory care
- Justify the scientific merits of study plan and the potential impact of the proposed research
- Provide a timeline for the proposed research and qualifications of all investigators
- Prepare and justify a proposed budget
- Document that IRB approval is secured
- Description of any equipment to be purchased and any implementation expenditures
Review Process
Applications evaluated based on the ability of the award to:
- Leverage existing strengths of the primary investigators and co-investigators
- Well-designed studies that can reveal differences in quality and safety, if any
- Advance the profession of respiratory care and enhance the AARC’s mission and vision
- Cost sharing with funding partners
- Support AARC members
- Proposals that include cost-sharing plans are encouraged
Questions can be submitted to Lynda Goodfellow.
