# Development and Implementation of Optimal Rehabilitation Care Pathways to Reduce Disparities in Rehabilitation Outcomes after Joint Replacement

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $137,436

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This NIMHD Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K23) for Dr.
Allyn Bove, an Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh School of
Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, will establish Dr. Bove as an independent health equity
investigator with expertise in health disparities in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and use of
implementation science methods to trial strategies to mitigate disparities. The proposed
research aligns with several of NIMHD’s research interests related to clinical and health
services research. This multi-level health services research project aligns with NIMHD’s goals to
pursue “multilevel interventions” that seek to “increase health equity” and “improve access to or
quality of care for populations affected by health disparities”. It also aligns with NIMHD’s pursuit
of “research to understand barriers and facilitators to the adoption of and adherence to
evidence-based practices and interventions in healthcare settings”.
 The research proposed in this four-year K23 award will occur in three phases. In the first
aim, we will engage with provider and patient partners to identify barriers and facilitators to
implementing optimal post-arthroplasty rehabilitation care pathways designed to improve
outcomes and mitigate outcomes disparities based on patient race and income/insurance
status. In the second stage, we will combine our preliminary data with information from Aim 1 to
develop an evidence-based approach for equitable implementation of optimal rehabilitation care
pathways to reduce disparities in community-based rehabilitation and physical function after
arthroplasty. In the final step, we will pilot test implementation of these evidence-based novel
rehabilitation care pathways. This work is important because it will progress rehabilitation
disparities research beyond simply identifying differences toward designing and implementing
novel interventions to reduce disparities and improve patient outcomes.
 The proposed work draws on Dr. Bove’s prior research on health disparities, qualitative
research methodology, and rehabilitation for individuals with osteoarthritis and joint arthroplasty.
This work will extend Dr. Bove’s work into the development and implementation of multi-level
interventions to address health disparities in this population. Upon conclusion of the proposed
research, formal training and mentorship outlined in this K23 application, Dr. Bove will be well-
positioned to seek R01 funding for a large hybrid effectiveness/implementation trial of these
care pathways that are designed to maximize function and promote equity in outcomes after hip
and knee arthroplasty surgery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10935964
- **Project number:** 5K23MD018640-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Allyn M Bove
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $137,436
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-25 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10935964

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10935964, Development and Implementation of Optimal Rehabilitation Care Pathways to Reduce Disparities in Rehabilitation Outcomes after Joint Replacement (5K23MD018640-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10935964. Licensed CC0.

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