Rare Opportunity for Researchers!
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has awarded AOTA and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) with funds for a special conference on planning, designing, and conducting intervention research. The Accelerating Clinical Trials and Outcomes Research Conference (ACTOR) will be held on December 1 and 2, 2011, at the Hyatt Arlington Hotel (near Washington, DC), and will provide the perfect opportunity for early- and mid-career scientists in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology to gain basic information about the process of planning, funding, and conducting intervention research.
The attendee fee of just $155 includes lunch, refreshments, and incidentals for 2 days. Certificates of contact hour verification (12 contact hours or 1.2 CEUs) will be granted to attendees. Priority will be given to individuals who are positioned to undertake intervention studies in the next 1 to 3 years.
To meet the requirements of the AHRQ, attendees should:
- Have a doctoral degree (within the past 20 years) and formal research training.
- Work in an environment that supports research or where federally funded research is conducted.
- Have a research mentor and support from an administrator (e.g., protected time, lab or staff support, etc.).
- Intend to plan and conduct a clinical trial or outcomes study in the next 1 to 3 years.
Susan Lin, ScD, OTR/L, AOTA’s research director, notes that this conference is a rare opportunity for aspiring clinical scientists to discuss research methodologies and network with others. Sharon Gutman, PhD, OTR, editor of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, notes that “the ACTOR conference provides a unique opportunity for OT researchers to learn how to construct and implement intervention effectiveness studies—the most needed research to support the profession’s value. Every OT researcher who wants to engage in research supporting clinical practice should attend this conference.”
The aim of the conference is squarely in tune with the recommendations offered in the Research Agenda for Occupational Therapy, adopted by AOTA and AOTF in 2009 to support the Centennial Vision.
Further information, the agenda, and applications for participation can be found at the ACTOR conference Web site.
The deadline for registration is October 31, 2011. Space is limited and we recommend registering soon.
If you do not meet all of the above criteria but are interested in attending, please complete the registration form and payment information and we will notify you on November 1 if space is available. Payments will not be processed until we notify you and confirm your registration. Please do not make online payment if you are in this space available category.
