OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes associated with integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis comparing clinical and economic outcomes of physical medicine services delivered in employer-sponsored clinics with the community. RESULTS: Integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics decreased wait times to access these services to 7 days (2 to 4× faster than in the community). Patients receiving care in employer-sponsored clinics experienced marked improvements in fear of pain avoidance behaviors (P < 0.00001) and functional status (P < 0.01) in eight fewer visits than in the community (P < 0.0001), resulting in $472 to $630 savings/patient episode. Noncancer patients received 1/10th the opioid prescriptions in employer-sponsored clinics compared with the community (2.8% vs 20%). Patients were highly likely to recommend integrated employer-sponsored care (Net Promoter Score = 84.7). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest robust clinical and economic benefits of integrating physical medicine services into employer-sponsored clinics.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and economic outcomes associated with integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis comparing clinical and economic outcomes of physical medicine services delivered in employer-sponsored clinics with the community. RESULTS: Integrating physical medicine in employer-sponsored clinics decreased wait times to access these services to 7 days (2 to 4× faster than in the community). Patients receiving care in employer-sponsored clinics experienced marked improvements in fear of pain avoidance behaviors (P < 0.00001) and functional status (P < 0.01) in eight fewer visits than in the community (P < 0.0001), resulting in $472 to $630 savings/patient episode. Noncancer patients received 1/10th the opioid prescriptions in employer-sponsored clinics compared with the community (2.8% vs 20%). Patients were highly likely to recommend integrated employer-sponsored care (Net Promoter Score = 84.7). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest robust clinical and economic benefits of integrating physical medicine services into employer-sponsored clinics.
Authors: Divya K Madhusudhan; Sharon A Watts; Daniel J Lord; Fiona Ding; David C Lawrence; Austin Sheldon; James Leonard; Dena M Bravata Journal: Telemed Rep Date: 2021-11-02
Authors: John R Wright; Divya K Madhusudhan; David C Lawrence; Sharon A Watts; Daniel J Lord; Christopher Whaley; Dena M Bravata Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2022-07-26 Impact factor: 6.473