Project Summary
This project will focus on building the community and capacity to improve patient healthcare experiences for musculoskeletal pain with specific emphasis on the role of physical therapy and identifying processes in care most important to key stakeholders. Musculoskeletal pain is a very common condition, unique to each individual and associated with increased burden for patients, family members, and society. Physical therapists commonly treat patients with musculoskeletal pain; however, communication between patients, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers needs to be improved.
The project leads have met with a team of six additional project partners representing both patient and patient family member stakeholders that have expressed considerable enthusiasm for this proposed project and provided several initial themes that have potential for future comparative effectiveness research proposals: 1) communication between patients and clinicians following discharge; 2) consideration of patient preferences and expectations; and 3) timely access to care. However, further capacity building is necessary to cultivate community and state-level partnerships to develop a structured organization capable of developing meaningful comparative clinical effectiveness research proposals.
During initial phases, we will engage several additional partners to secure representation from other stakeholder entities. During months 2-8, we will hold two meetings with partners to discuss stakeholder roles and responsibilities, develop community engagement strategies, and identify options to improve communication between community members. During months 8-9, we will hold a final meeting to vote for a board of governors, identify individuals for an advisory council, and discuss strategies for future Pipeline to Proposal opportunities.