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Advance your career and learn how to develop, improve, or advance your skills in evaluating and conducting research with this 6-part Lecture Series.
This 6-part Lecture Series will show you the steps you need to take to boost your research skills and competencies.
From identifying your research topic to designing a study to implementation science, get the fundamentals of research.
Proficiency Level:
Novice
Domain:
Research
CNEs:
8.4
Member Price:
$50
Non-Member Price:
$100
ABOUT THE COURSE
Research is one of the six future-oriented competency domains in APIC’s updated Competency Model. Deepening your understanding of research and implementation science will help you advance your career as an IP. This Research Education Series, developed and led by experts from APIC’s Research Committee, consists of six lectures that provide learning opportunities for infection preventionists with a strong interest in developing or improving their skills in evaluating and conducting research, and also use APIC’s Competency Model to support their on-going professional development
ABOUT THE LECTURES
Lecture 1: Where do I start?
I’m Ready to Embark into the World of Research – Where Do I Start?
Thinking of diving into your first research project? You’re in the right place to get started! In the first lecture of the Research Webinar Series, we will discuss the steps to take to set you on the right path, from how to properly interpret research to identifying your research question when you’re ready.
Learn how to:
- Access important research resources and databases
- Perform a literature review effectively
- Evaluate research findings
- Analyze scientific evidence to determine gaps
- Formulate your search question
- Identify common challenges to performing research
About the Speaker
Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC has been working in infection prevention for almost 10 years as Manager of Infection Prevention at Swedish Medical Center and an Infection Prevention Specialist at Denver Health Medical Center. She has performed numerous studies on HAI reporting and validation, standardization of infection prevention practices and improvements to risk prediction modeling for surgical site infections. She received her PhD in Microbiology from Colorado State University in 2008 followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lecture 2: Designing a Study
A “How to” Guide for Taking a Research Topic and Designing a Study
In this session, we will describe the process of developing a research question and designing an appropriate research study to answer it. We will review different types of study design used for infection prevention and control research and how to apply appropriate methods to carry out the study. We will discuss differences between quality improvement and research projects and the process of obtaining Institutional Review Board approval. Lastly, we will discuss common challenges of implementing a research study in the healthcare setting and strategies for stakeholder and frontline staff engagement. Learn how to:
- Recognize and develop different hospital epidemiology study designs
- Apply methodology appropriately to implement a study
- Overcome the challenges of implementing a study in a hospital/healthcare setting
About the Speaker:
Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC has been working in infection prevention for almost 10 years as Manager of Infection Prevention at Swedish Medical Center and an Infection Prevention Specialist at Denver Health Medical Center. She has performed numerous studies on HAI reporting and validation, standardization of infection prevention practices and improvements to risk prediction modeling for surgical site infections. She received her PhD in Microbiology from Colorado State University in 2008 followed by a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lecture 3: Data, Data, and more Data
Data, Data and More Data
In this session, we will discuss how to collect and analyze data to answer research questions. Specifically, we will discuss different ways of collecting and organizing data including quantitative and qualitative data collection and mixed methods. We will present the steps for developing a data analytic plan and cover the basics of data analysis. Lastly, we will discuss how to interpret results of your data analysis and common pitfalls. Learn how to:
- Identify ways to collect and organize data
- Understand simple data analyses (and recognize when it’s time to call your statistician)
- Interpret data into impactful results
About the Speaker
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, PhD, MPH, CIC is an Assistant Professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA where her focuses on improving patient safety and quality of care, specifically focusing on prevention of healthcare-associated infections across different healthcare settings. Monika earned her master’s degree in public health in 2007 and her doctorate in epidemiology in 2011 from the Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Monika has authored and co-authored over fifty peer-reviewed manuscripts and several book chapters.
Lecture 4: How to Take Results and Inform Others
Spreading the Word – How to Take Results and Inform Others
Infection prevention is a field where much of the work that is done can be viewed as research and implementation of best practices. Sharing that information both within a facility and to outside audiences can be very beneficial for others that may be interested in solving a similar problem. However, when it comes to writing up an disseminating that research, particularly outside of the facility, there can be a lack of knowing where to start. Writing an abstract on the work that was performed is an essential first step toward sharing that information. After building that foundation from the abstract, it will be possible to build up to how to get that information out in the form of posters, oral presentations, and publications in peer-reviewed journals. This session is intended to cover all of these topics and leave the viewer feeling comfortable and ready to begin the process of spreading the word. Learn how to:
- Take study results and disseminate them within an organization
- Disseminate results to a wide audience outside of your hospital
- Attribute properly (collaborators, order of authors, etc.)
- Evaluate options and methods for publishing and presenting (posters, abstracts, etc.)
About the Speaker
Jessica Strauch, PhD, MS, CIC is the Infection Prevention Specialist at Lutheran Medical Center in Lakewood, CO. She completed her BS and MS through Colorado State University in 2005 and 2009, respectively. She earned her PhD in Public Health with a focus on Epidemiology through Walden University in 2015.
Lecture 5: Implementation Science
Implementation Science – What Is It and How Can It Help My Hospital?
Dissemination and implementation (D&I) of infection prevention research findings into practice are necessary to improve patient outcomes and inform practitioners what, when and how interventions work in the “real world”. The field of D&I research actively supports the movement of innovative and evidence-based healthcare and prevention strategies, often designed and tested in controlled setting, to diverse health care delivery sectors and setting. APIC members are at the forefront of this dissemination into practice and essential for the successful implementation, though often are unaware of their role or lack the skills or confidence to lead the translation of evidence. This webinar will describe how and why APIC members can and should participate in implementation science research, and use “real world” examples and tools. Participants from all practice sectors and settings will gain knowledge of the history of dissemination and implementation research, report increased confidence in analyzing D&I research results, and develop the skills to effectively implement and disseminate evidence-based practices in diverse healthcare settings. Learn how to:
- Implement change successfully
- Identify challenges to implementing interventions
- Incorporate research findings into practice through education and consultation
- Synthesize interventions for the greatest benefit
Meet the Speakers
Heather Gilmartin, PhD, NP, CIC, FAPIC is a nurse scientist and implementation researcher with the Denver/Seattle Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care, VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado, School of Public Health. She is a fellow of APIC and received her undergraduate degree from Boston College, her master’s degree from Yale University, and her doctorate from the University of Colorado.
Amanda Hessels, PhD, MPH, RN, CIC, CPHQ has over 20 years of experience in adult critical care nursing, infection prevention and epidemiology, healthcare quality, and health services and nursing research. She completed her Doctorate in Nursing from Rutgers University, College of Nursing, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the National Institutes of Health funded “Training in Interdisciplinary Research to Prevent Infections” program at Columbia University, School of Nursing, under the mentorship of Dr. Elaine Larson.
Lecture 6: Research Domain of the APIC Competency Model
Understanding and Applying the Research Domain of the APIC Competency Model
As noted in the new APIC Competency Model, “Research is an essential skill set that supports and advances the IPC field. Incorporating research constructs into the role equips the IP with the opportunity to synthesize, apply, and evaluate research information to develop and demonstrate IPC and epidemiological expertise.” In this lecture, you will learn how to:
- Explain the importance of the addition of the research domain into the new Competency Model
- Describe how the research domain categories are applicable to infection prevention practice.
- Define opportunities afforded to the Infection Preventionist because of the research domain.
Meet the Speaker
Jim Davis, MSN, RN, CIC, HEM, FAPIC has greater than 18 years of nursing experience spanning long-term care, adult critical care, clinical decision support, education, nurse management, and infection prevention. Currently he is a Senior Infection Prevention Analyst at ECRI Institute under contract with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority. Jim is board-certified in infection control and epidemiology (CIC) and is a certified healthcare environmental manager (HEM), and holds national certification in adult critical care nursing (CCRN). He has served as President of APIC’s Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter, and is the former chair of APIC’s research committee. He has authored multiple infection prevention and control articles and is published in the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority Advisory and the American Journal of Infection Control.
This program is mapped to the APIC’s IP Competency Model. This model describes the knowledge, skills, and behaviors considered key to advancement and guides IPs toward areas of professional development throughout all career stages. Click here to view the full model.
Paying by check? Please download the 2020 registration form and mail it to the noted address. Please ensure that the registration form and any corresponding documents are included as we cannot process registrations without payment.
Bulk sales are available. Email eLearning@apic.org for more information.
Accreditation
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC) is accredited with distinction as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).
Course evaluations will be available in your online training menu at the end of the course.
All course-related evaluations must be completed within 30 days of course completion. After satisfying all evaluation requirements, a certificate of completion will be available to print and/or download under My Transcripts for your records indicating CEUs.
Accredited status does not imply endorsement by APIC or the American Nurses Credentialing Center of any commercial products displayed or discussed in conjunction with an educational activity.
Technical Requirements
We recommend the below browsers and plug-ins for the best online learning experience
- Minimum Internet Bandwidth
Standard Definition (SD) videos: 5 Mbps - High Definition (HD) videos: 8 Mbps
Computer Operating System
- PC: Windows XP or newer
- Mac: OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or newer
Web Browsers
- Internet Explorer 8.0 or above
- Firefox support for most recent 2 public versions
- Safari support for most recent 2 public versions
- Google Chrome support for most recent 2 public versions
Browser Plug-ins
Flash Player version 10.2.159.1 or higher. Go to Adobe Flash Player to install the latest version.
Cancellation Policy
CANCELLATION/TRANSFER POLICY:
APIC must receive all cancellations in writing within 30 days of purchase if you have not yet started the course. If you have started the course, you must submit your cancellation within 7 days of the start day to be eligible for a refund.
Please submit cancellation requests to eLearning@apic.org or via fax to (202) 789-1899. Courses are non-transferrable and remain with the original registered individual regardless of position changes or employee departures.