The June issue of APTA Magazine includes a feature that should resonate with PTs and PTAs. Titled "Good Fit: Physical Therapy and Value-Based Care," the article describes how the shift from fee-for-service to a value-based health care model promotes optimized patient access and early intervention.

As we’ve learned, the concept of optimized access requires a shift in the way we think about care so people get access to the services that are needed — not just services covered by insurance.

Of course, this means that providers must use evidence-based practice and assume some risk in providing care for patients, but that shouldn't be daunting for PTs. We're uniquely positioned to be leaders in value-based care, given our extensive training in clinical screening, outcome measure assessment, and biopsychosocial and patient centered approaches.

The Duke University School of Medicine has embraced that idea through an innovative approach known as The Duke Joint Health Program, a physical therapy-focused value-based care model for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. The model uses a condition-specific provider — a PT with additional training, standardized outcome assessment, and multi-disciplinary collaboration — to provide personalized high-value care. In the five years since its launch, we've already seen significant improvements in patients’ pain, function, and emotional well-being with high patient and provider satisfaction ratings.

Let us tell you about it.