A group physical therapy (Group PT) program for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis was selected as a finalist out of 224 applications for the 2024 Shark Tank Competition. The Group PT program was initially developed and tested in an RCT with HSR&D funding, and is currently funded as part of the Optimizing Function and Independence Quality Enhancement Research Initiative. Group PT is directed by Kelli Allen, PhD, Associate Director of the HSR Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, in Durham, NC.
Dr. Allen has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on many pragmatic and implementation-focused trials of health services, behavioral, and rehabilitation interventions for individuals with osteoarthritis and other painful, chronic rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Group PT is an evidence-based program with results demonstrating improved clinical efficiency and increased access to care for Veterans with knee osteoarthritis. To date, 20 VA facilities have adopted Group PT across the U.S.
VA’s Shark Tank identifies VHA frontline employee innovations that promote positive outcomes and improved experiences for Veterans and the VHA community. The competition shines a spotlight on employees who are passionate about solving some of the toughest challenges across VHA. Finalists will represent their practices live during the 2024 VHA Shark Tank Competition at the VHA Innovation Experience Conference in Chicago, IL, in October. Finalists compete for the chance to join the VA Diffusion of Excellence’s next cohort of Promising Practices, select a Shark bid, and implement their practice at a new VA facility.
