On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley and Dr. Kory Zimney, underscored the crucial role clinicians play in influencing the APTA research agenda. They emphasized that clinicians should be invested in the research agenda as it directly impacts their practice and the well-being of their patients. Here are key takeaways from the episode on how clinicians can actively contribute to the APTA research agenda:

1. Data Collection: Clinicians are encouraged to start gathering outcomes data in their clinical settings. This data serves as a valuable resource for addressing research inquiries and refining clinical practices. By systematically collecting data on patient outcomes, clinicians can bolster the evidence base, guiding decision-making at both individual patient levels and broader research endeavors.

2. Questioning: Clinicians are uniquely positioned to identify knowledge gaps and areas requiring further research. By posing questions based on their clinical experiences, clinicians can help shape research priorities and initiate meaningful research projects. Cultivating a curious mindset can lead to the formulation of research questions that tackle real-world clinical challenges.

3. Collaboration with Researchers: Collaboration between clinicians and researchers is pivotal for advancing the field of physical therapy. Clinicians can collaborate with researchers by sharing clinical insights, participating in research studies, and engaging in discussions on research findings. Through joint efforts, clinicians and researchers can ensure that research remains relevant, practical, and directly applicable to clinical settings.

4. Networking and Relationship Building: Clinicians are urged to network with researchers, academic institutions, and other healthcare professionals to foster collaborations and knowledge exchange. Establishing relationships with researchers can provide clinicians with opportunities to contribute to research projects, access resources, and stay abreast of the latest research developments in physical therapy.

5. Promoting Evidence-Based Practice: Physical therapists are an evidence-based profession who rely on research to inform their clinical interventions. By actively engaging with the APTA research agenda and participating in research endeavors, clinicians can enhance the quality of care they deliver and contribute to the advancement of the profession.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:01:04 - Importance of the APTA Research Agenda 00:03:27 - Development Process of the Research Agenda 00:07:02 - Dissemination of the Research Agenda 00:11:56 - Overview of the Six Key Areas 00:12:14 - Population Health Research 00:12:59 - Mechanistic Research 00:13:19 - Clinical Research 00:17:19 - Education and Professional Development Research 00:21:16 - Health Services Research 00:22:18 - Workforce Research 00:24:36 - Relevance to Clinicians 00:30:05 - Encouragement for Clinician Involvement 00:32:11 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways 00:34:16 - Contact Information for Guests 00:34:42 - Advice to 20-Year-Old Self 00:36:12 - Conclusion and Sign-Off

More About Dr. Jennifer Stevens-Lapsley:

Dr. Stevens-Lapsley serves as a Professor and the Director of the Rehabilitation Science PhD Program within the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center. Additionally, she is the Associate Director of Research for the Eastern Colorado VA Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC). She is dedicated to the advancement of evidence-based solutions in older adult rehabilitation, achieved through rigorous research methodologies and strategic partnerships. With 25 years of experience in clinical research, her specialization lies in post-joint arthroplasty care and medically complex patient populations.

Dr. Stevens-Lapsley's impactful clinical research has yielded 200 publications, garnered numerous awards, and secured $20 million in funding. She is a frequent presenter at both national and international forums, contributing significantly to the dissemination of her research findings.

More About Dr. Kory Zimney:

Kory Zimney, PT, DPT, Ph.D. has been practicing physical therapy since 1994 following his graduation from the University of North Dakota with his Master in Physical Therapy. He completed his transitional DPT graduate from the Post Professional Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Des Moines University, Class of 2010. He also earned his Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2020.

Dr. Zimney is an Associate Professor within the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of South Dakota and the Director of the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program at USD. He also serves as Senior Faculty with Evidence in Motion (EIM) and researcher with Therapeutic Neuroscience Research Group and USD Center for Brain and Behavior Research. His primary teaching, research, and treatment focuses are on pain neuroscience, therapeutic alliance, and evidence-based practice for orthopedic injuries of the spine and extremities. He has published multiple peer-reviewed research articles in these areas. Past work experiences have been with various community-based hospitals working in multiple patient care areas, including inpatient, skilled rehab, home health, acute rehab, work conditioning/hardening, and outpatient orthopedics.

He has completed the Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor program through the American Physical Therapy Association and is a Certified Spinal Manual Therapist and assisted in the development of the Therapeutic Pain Specialist program through the EIM certification program, and has a certification in Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute.