By Clinton Brawner, PhD, ACSM-CEP, FACSM | Henry Ford Health

On AACVPR Central, questions often pop up on The Pulse discussion forum about staffing in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR). Who can do what? Which professionals can staff CR/PR?

An opportunity is coming to help describe current staffing practices in the United States. AACVPR has partnered with the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA) on a survey of staffing in CR/PR. While the questionnaire is focused on the roles and responsibilities of exercise professionals, it will also capture current staffing models and the frequency of programs that require certifications – such as AACVPR’s Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP).

The survey will be sent to individuals in AACVPR’s database of program directors. Responses are limited to program directors because they are likely to be most informed about (a) the job description for the exercise professionals who staff their programs and (b) the program’s current policies and procedures. Please note, we only wish to receive one response per program.

This research was approved the Institutional Review Board at Henry Ford Health. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Clinton Brawner at cbrawne1@hfhs.org.