A Multi-Site Feasibility Trial of Embedded Emergency Department Physical Therapy

Description

After a 12-month milestone-driven planning and preparation phase, we will conduct a 21-month randomized feasibility clinical trial of the embedded ED physical therapy intervention at the Northwestern Medicine and University of Utah health systems, comprised of 9 months of active intervention and 12 months of longitudinal data collection. Two hospital EDs (Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Utah Hospital) will be randomized to receive either the embedded ED physical therapist intervention (treatment, n=1) or usual care (control, n=1). Following completion of the feasibility trial, the control site will receive the intervention as per standard waitlist procedures for randomized trials. A third hospital ED (Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital) will not participate in randomization or participant enrollment but will contribute baseline electronic health record data to assist in feasibility assessments for a future full-scale trial.