Improving the Primary Care Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Request for Proposal from the Physicians’ Institute
The Evolution of Anticoagulation Management (TEAM) is a strategic, multi-institution
educational initiative designed to prevent and reduce the serious complications associated with
thrombus formation.
TEAM is an innovative educational collaboration among ten organizations committed to
improving patient outcomes through clinician education.
TEAM will include an array of educational approaches designed from a competency-based
framework to meet the needs of healthcare professionals caring for patients with atrial
fibrillation needing anticoagulation therapy. TEAM is developing and collecting educational
resources to support these activities, including:
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The accurate diagnosis of atrial fibrillation
The recognition of the high stroke risk associated with this condition
The selection of the most appropriate anticoagulation treatment for each patient
The monitoring of patients over time, many of whom will need to take other medications
and possibly undergo surgical procedures in the future
Eligibility: If your organization is an accredited CME provider or you are able to partner or be
joint sponsored by an accredited CME provider, you are eligible to apply for a grant.
Description of grant opportunity: The ultimate mission of the overall TEAM initiative is to
reduce stroke, pulmonary embolism, and other complications associated with thrombus
formation through effective continuing education that results in optimal anticoagulation
management. As part of this national initiative, this project Physicians’ Institute’s is supporting
and managing up to 20 CME grants targeting primary care physicians and their teams. Plans
are being developed to seek support for a hospital-oriented initiative for 2013. Our website will
have more information as this project evolves.
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Each applicant will design and offer one or more CME activities (multiple activities are
preferred) focusing on the prevention of stroke, pulmonary embolism and other
complications in patients who have Atrial Fibrillation. Applicants will be encouraged to
develop multifaceted CME activities that include adult learning strategies, such as casebased learning or performance improvement CME. Educational resources such as
videos, PowerPoint slides, and support materials will be made available to the grantees
through a project website.
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The TEAM Partners will develop a website that grantees can utilize that will include an
array of educational materials relating to the treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.
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A background Needs Assessment developed by the TEAM Partners is included as an
Attachment to assist applicants in the development of their own needs analysis.
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An educational outcomes evaluation tool will be provided to all grantees. All grantees
will be expected to use this tool. Training webinars in using the tool will be provided.
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Follow-up evaluation for outcomes purposes must be integrated into your evaluation
plan.
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Grantees will be responsible for coordinating evaluation activities and submitting a final
report to the Physicians’ Institute.
Grants Administration: Grants will be considered at a maximum of $12,000. You are
encouraged to seek additional support, including in-kind support, from other sources.
Projects that address all or some of the following criteria will receive funding priority:
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Documents a gap in performance and identifies the resulting educational or
performance need
Demonstrates potential for improvement
Utilizes multiple innovative educational strategies
Demonstrates a strategy to impact a significant number of primary care providers
Addresses outcomes Moore’s Level 4 or above(J Contin Educ Health Prof 2009; 29(1):1-15;
http://www.jcehp.com/vol29/2901_moore.asp)
Grant recipients will be selected by a Physicians’ Institute review committee.
Grant monies can only be used to support focused educational activities, educational
resources to support those activities, and follow-up evaluation. Grant funds can also be used
to support chart audit expenses for participating providers (not staff salaries). None of the
educational grant monies can be used to pay for equipment, patient care, medications or to
benefit individual physician offices. Physicians cannot be compensated or provided incentives
for attending a CME activity. Grant monies cannot be used to pay physicians to provide
patient care. If you include administrative costs in the budget, the total administrative costs
can be no more than 15% of the total grant awarded. Unspent grant monies must be returned
to the Physicians’ Institute within 60 days following submission of the final report and budget
reconciliation.
Examples of appropriate expenditures of grant funds include:
 Associated costs of data collection (chart abstraction, materials, consultants)
 CME activity(s) as a part of the intervention
 Food items for CME activities
 Venue and AV rental
Resources: The following resources will be provided to grantees:
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Webinar training will be provided on how to utilize the educational outcomes tool
A variety of resource materials have been developed by the TEAM Partnership and will
be available to all participating organizations and providers. These materials include
videos, patient education materials and other resources
The Physician’s Institute Project Manager will communicate with grantees on a regular
basis and will be your contact for issues relating to your grant
CME activity evaluation services and Educational Design Consultation will be made
available to grantees
Requirements:
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Submit an application and budget using the attached forms. Submit these completed
forms with subject line “TEAM application” to acohen@mag.org by July 31st, 2012.
Evaluation: Participate in the evaluation and follow-up activities and submit a Final
Report, an Abstract, and a budget reconciliation at the end of the project.
Timeline: Grant awards will be announced by the end of August and 75% of the
award amount will be sent to grant recipients immediately. Funded activities can begin
as soon as the Letter of Agreement (LOA) is signed. Projects should be completed
within eight months. Final reports must be submitted no later than August 31, 2013.
The remaining 25% of the award will be sent to grant recipients within 30 days of
submission and acceptance of the final report.
The grants will be administered through the Physicians Institute for Excellence in Medicine
(www.physiciansinstitute.org). If you have questions, contact Adele Cohen at
acohen@mag.org