Barb Smith on Pioneering Research for Better Acute Care

What does it take to move acute care physical therapy research from the journal page to the bedside?

In this episode, Dr. Leo Arguelles and Dr. Daniel Young sit down with Dr. Barbara “Barb” Smith, associate professor of physical therapy at the University of Florida, clinician-scientist with more than 25 years of ICU experience, and recipient of the 2026 APTA Acute Care Lecture Award.

Barb reflects on how acute care research has evolved from a time when PTs often contributed to studies without leading them to a future in which clinicians, educators and scientists shape the questions that matter most. She explains why research in complex hospital environments remains difficult, from varied patient populations and unit cultures to small single-site studies and the long delay between publication and clinical adoption.

The conversation also explores why research should function as a team sport. Barb shares the value of multi-site collaboration, early partnerships with frontline clinicians and hospital leaders, and sustained mentorship for emerging researchers. Drawing on her work in respiratory strength training, she shows how clinically relevant questions can grow into evidence that changes practice.

Listeners will leave with a clearer view of how collaboration, communication and curiosity can strengthen acute care research—and ultimately improve patient care.

Show Notes

Today’s Guests:

Barbara Smith PT, PhD

bksmith@ufl.edu

X: ilikebigbreaths

Guest Quotes:

16:24 “ But we still have some challenges, I think in the area of acute care research. Number one it’s hard to do , right?… And all of that noise can muddle up what might be a very, helpful or clear efficacy signal or rehabilitation signal. “Ah, this works.” But if we have all this other noise, we might not see that treatment effect. And so those are some threats sometimes to designing and developing and implementing research in this setting.”