Department of Health Sciences Faculty Articles
Research Interests and Experience Among Members of the Association of Asthma Educators
Document Type
Article
Publisher
Sage Publications, Inc.
ISSN
2150-1297
Publication Date
10-1-2012
Keywords
Health Care, Asthma Educators, Asthma Care, Multisite Interdisciplinary Research, Collaborative Research, Research Training
Abstract
Background:
The Association of Asthma Educators (AAE) serves as the premier professional organization representing health care professionals who identify themselves as asthma educators. To promote asthma education, raise the competence of asthma educators, and raise the standard and quality of asthma care delivery, AAE recently developed a research committee to look into avenues of increasing asthma research awareness and potentially provide support and an avenue for collaboration among interested members. The long-term vision is to conduct multisite interdisciplinary research trials among members and to publish results in peer-reviewed journals. An initiative was started to survey membership regarding their research interests and experience in the field of asthma and asthma education.
Objectives:
To describe the research interests and experience of the AAE members and to identify focus areas of research in general and in asthma education and asthma care for potential development of collaborative research initiatives.
Methods:
An online survey was conducted by the AAE research committee. Ten questions were asked with multiple choice and yes or no answers.
Results:
Seventy-six out of 201 surveyed members (38%) responded. Primary professional role identified are as follows: RN (50%), NP (18%), LPN (4%), PA (4%), RPh/PharmD (10%), RT (10%), PhD or equivalent (2%) – There were no MDs, less RTs, and more NPs who responded to the survey, but no significant difference with the rest of the professions.
Only 25% are currently involved in clinical or community asthma research. However, almost all (97%) consider it important for researchers to integrate clinical research into their practice. Primary research interest include adherence (41%), Asthma Education for patient (Pediatrics) (46%), Asthma Education for Clinician (Pediatric) (28%), Health Disparities (30%), Community Outreach (27%), Environmental Influences (20%), Quality of Life (20%), and Asthma Phenotypes (11%). The total percentage is more than 100% as respondents were able to select more than one interest area.
Research experience showed that only 13% have ever submitted a manuscript about their research, 28% have ever designed a research protocol, but 40% have current CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) Program for the Protection of Human Research Subjects training and 70% have an office supporting clinical research in their current institution. Area of research training that most interest the responders are the following: How to Write a Protocol (41%), Pediatric Research (41%), Research Procedures (35%), Cost Management and Budgeting for Clinical Research (19%), Research Compliance (13%), Research Ethics (12%), Institutional Review Boards (7%), and Informed Consent for Parents (7%). The total percentage is more than 100% as respondents were able to select more than one interest area.
There were 66% who would be interested in conducting local research with the support of AAE.
Conclusion:
There is a significant interest in AAE membership to be involved in asthma research. Only about a quarter or less are currently involved in actual research, but there is knowledge among interested members regarding conducting research and there is local infrastructure to support their research. Research training seemed to be the first area of focus for the research committee. The survey revealed adherence, asthma education especially in children, health disparities, and community outreach as priorities for research. These interests also parallel the mission and vision of AAE as an organization. AAE’s diversity of research interests and professional disciplines will be an asset to future collaborative research initiatives and strongly align with the Association’s core values.
DOI
10.1177/2150129712458256
Volume
3
Issue
5
First Page
227
Last Page
237
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
NSUWorks Citation
Kier, Catherine MD, AE-C; Holsey, Chanda Nicole DRPH, MPH, AE-C; Morris, Kathy DNP, APRN, FNP-C, FAAN; and O'Connor-Goun, Agnes MBA, LMSW, "Research Interests and Experience Among Members of the Association of Asthma Educators" (2012). Department of Health Sciences Faculty Articles. 223.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_hs_facarticles/223
