Running head: AHRQ

Health Care

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Research Training and Education is one of the programs the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has. Research and education are two primary mechanisms of the discipline as they direct the way to the advancement of new technologies, the innovation of new pathological treatments, and evidence based medicine. They both affect every aspect of the healthcare field. While pathologies change and invasive procedures are needed less and less, it’s important that research and education maintain pace to keep up with these changes and diseases and continue to grow. Therefore, it is essential these types of programs receive funding. Applications are accepted by the Training and Education program from persons interested in research and training for improving the quality of healthcare services. Students and researchers that are either interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field or currently in the field can apply for these funds. Grants and stipends are awarded to researchers under defined time constraints. They have that time to establish their ideas for eliminating waste in hospitals, reduce the number of hospital related infections for example; CLABSI and MRSA, create environments free of medical error and overly expensive care, develop the functionality of the prescription drug market, and to increase funding of programs such as Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. (AHRQ, 2009) It could be argued that funding for healthcare research and development is necessary, as the opportunity to positively affect the way provider’s offer services must be taken. The ongoing discussion concerning healthcare reform, cutting monetary fortitude for research and development/training and education would have a negative impact on these opportunities. Programs such as these provide individuals resources and time needed to develop plans that we so urgently need for continued improvements in the healthcare arena. Controlling the cost of healthcare is the ultimate goal. Every new innovation, whether it is containing the spread of infection or improving the method in which prescription drugs are obtained, the closer we come to achieving this goal. In conclusion, all advancements in healthcare have come over time through some form of research and have been shared through some form of training/education. Therefore, without research, training and education we would not have the advancements we benefit from today, nor the opportunity for future growth. It is my belief that funding for these programs is vital.