July 25, 2019 | Net Health

3 Minute Read

Study shows: Physical Medicine + Employer-Sponsored clinics= Big Improvements

Where do you spend most of your time?

If you’re not at home, there’s a high chance you’re at work for the majority of the day, leaving only a small window of time for fun or important non-work activities. One of those relevant activities could be attending a much-needed doctor’s appointment that you’ve been putting off because their schedule wasn’t syncing with yours. Hey, it happens.

Enter employer-sponsored clinics: the healthcare solution offering primary care to company staff members and helping to bridge the gap between “I have no time” and “we’re here all the time.” Also known as “worksite clinics,” these facilities have improved the lives of employees. We’re seeing exciting evolution in this space. As employee needs vary and grow, worksite clinics have begun expanding service offerings to things like physical medicine. So not only can you get that cough checked out, but you can also start rehabbing that nagging shoulder injury. (That’s a good day at the office!)

According to a recent study, Integrated Physical Medicine at Employer-Sponsored Health Clinics Improves Quality of Care at Reduced Cost, quality of care improves, costs are reduced, and decreases in opioid use are prevalent in employer-sponsored clinics integrated with physical medicine. Study co-authors, Daniel J. Lord, DC, physical medicine senior program manager at Crossover Health and Dena Bravata, MD, MS, senior affiliate of the Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research at Stanford University, compared healthcare claims and clinical outcomes data of Crossover Health patients with musculoskeletal complaints against a robust national database of outpatient physical medicine outcomes provided by FOTO.

Their study revealed that the population of risk-adjusted patients who received integrated physical medicine treatment at Crossover Health-managed worksite clinics received faster treatment, achieved better outcomes, and had less reliance on opioids—all at a lower cost of care than traditional healthcare organizations can provide.

Additionally, patient episodes (on average) required eight fewer provider visits and 52% fewer imaging services than similar patients receiving care locally. This resulted in a cost savings of up to $630 for employers per patient episode, an average 67% reduction.

That’s a big, big deal!

Check out the full article from Physical Therapy Products for more details on the study and insight from Daniel Lord and Dena Bravata.

Speaking of Daniel Lord, did you know he will be speaking at the Clinical Outcomes Summit this October?  It promises to be a can’t-miss affair!

Take a look at the stacked agenda and if you haven’t already, register now!

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