AMDA Foundation

AMDA Foundation is Now Recruiting

The AMDA Foundation has funded research projects and we need members’ assistance with study oversight and as investigators. Your role will depend on your experience and availability, and could be at the level of PI, general study oversight, or assistance with data collection and analysis. For junior investigators, this provides a special opportunity to obtain research experience and learn from a more established researcher. For senior investigators, you may be assigned the Co-PI title. All study investigators--experienced or not--will receive some compensation and can contribute to the resulting scholarly article describing the outcomes.

For more information please see Current Recruitment Needs.

Fall Conference Invites Broad Team on QI

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08

The AMDA Foundation Fall Research Network Conference, set for November 14-16 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD, will focus on “Improving Quality in Long Term Care: Quality Improvement as Research.” The program will feature nationally known experts sharing their experiences with QI research and their tips and suggestions for people who want to pursue studies in this area. For the first time, the conference is open to a broad group of practitioners, academicians, and caregivers beyond Network membership.

New IRB for RN

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08 The Research Network will be seeking oversight from a new IRB for all of its studies. After several years working with the Michigan State University IRB, the Network now will utilize the IRB at Wright State University exclusively. “Dr. Larry Lawhorne, who was our contact at Michigan, has moved to Wright State and we are following him there.
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Foundation Seeks Investigators, Participants for New Studies

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08 The Foundation is using its new IRB for three studies for which the organization is seeking investigators and participants.
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IRB Assessment and Management of QI Projects

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08

In his session, “IRB Assessment and Management of QI Projects,” Ed Davidson, PharmD, MPH, a researcher, IRB member, and editor of The Consultant Pharmacist, will help participants understand how to work effectively with IRBs on QI projects. “The government has defined clearly what human subject research is. It can be difficult for people to make that determination in relation to QI,” he notes, adding that the result is studies that violate human subject rights and get the researchers in trouble.

Can Research Help Prevent Frailty?

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08

Why do some elderly patients become frail and others go on to run marathons? National Institute on Aging researcher William Ershler, MD, will address this in his program, “Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent Frailty,” at the Fall Research Network Conference. “There are pathways that go astray; and if you right the ship early, you can prevent frailty,” he suggests, adding, “We have this hypothesis about what is going wrong in a global way, and it has much to do with the inflammatory pathway.”

Foundation Seeks Donations for Silent Auction

Vol XXXVI, Oct '08

The AMDA Foundation needs your help to make the 2009 Art at the Wall silent auction a success. Please consider making a donation of one or two works of art by residents at one or more of your facilities. We particularly are in need of textile pieces such as quilts, stuffed toys, or crocheted blankets; ceramic items such as vases, sculptures, or bowls; and craft items such as jewelry or baskets. However, framed paintings, drawings, and photographs also are welcome.