Integrating Physical Therapists Into Primary Care Within A Large Health Care System

Bodenheimer, Thomas; Kucksdorf, Joseph; Torn, Alyssa; Jerzak, James

BACKGROUND: Bellin Health in Wisconsin has pioneered the colocation and integration of physical therapists into primary care pods. METHODS: This is an observational study based on one in-person visit and several interviews. RESULTS: For patients with musculoskeletal complaints, providers make warm handoffs to the physical therapist, who is a few steps away. The physical therapist performs most of the visit, providing diagnosis, treatment, and patient education. Research studies show that-compared with physician management-appropriate patients managed by physical therapists have better outcomes, lower costs, and higher patient satisfaction. In a fee-for-service environment, the business case for this innovation requires an increased number of follow-up referrals to the physical therapy department. In the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, physical therapists can provide video visits with equal quality compared with in-person visits. CONCLUSION: The Bellin Health program is a blueprint for other primary care practices to integrate physical therapists into primary care teams.