Interprofessional Practice in the UPMC Falk Trauma Clinic

Principal Investigator(s)

Joel M. Stevans, DC

Researcher(s)

  • Julia Driessen, PhD
  • Benjamin R. Reynolds, PA-C
  • Johanna E. Bellon, MS, CFA, PhD(c)

Type: Evaluation

Site description: This evaluation is taking place at the UPMC Falk Trauma Clinic. This clinic is an advanced practice provider lead clinic that incorporated a team of rehabilitation professionals into its practice in January 2014.

Patient population: All patients discharged from UPMC Presbyterian's trauma service have the option of returning for follow-up care to this clinic, typically within two weeks after discharge. Clinic coordinators focus on bringing back patients with rehabilitation needs that are not being treated in another setting, such as potentially concussive patients, patients with weight bearing limitations, or multiple injury patients.

Team composition: The team includes audiologists, advanced practice providers (nurse practitioners and physician assistants), nurse coordinators, nurse assistants, nutritionists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and trauma physicians.

Antiticipated outcomes: The implementation of the new team members is intended to improve satisfaction, cost and quality in post-discharge trauma patients.

Evaluation: The evaluation team is studying 1) the implementation itself, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), 2) changes in patient characteristics pre-post implementation, 3) the functioning of the interprofessional team, and 4) the sustainability of the model.

Watch a video about the Falk Trauma Clinic evaluation.