Joshua K. Johnson PT, DPT, PhD is a physical therapist scientist at Cleveland Clinic. He completed his Doctor of Physical Therapy training at Arcadia University and his PhD training at the University of Utah. His research focuses on understanding and enhancing the role of physical therapists in health systems to influence patient outcomes and the costs of care.

As a LeaRRn scholar, Dr. Johnson will investigate the relationships that exist between physical therapy treatment and patient outcomes in the acute hospital setting under the mentorship of Janet Freburger, PT, PhD. In an effort to better understand the value of acute care physical therapy, particularly which patients benefit the most from physical therapy interventions, he will examine patterns of physical therapy service delivery across patient subgroups and how those patterns relate to outcomes considered important by patients and health systems. Studies will be accomplished using data from the Rehabilitation and Related Outcomes Learning Lab, a registry combining demographic and clinical data for patients treated in Cleveland Clinic hospitals. Study results will be shared with organization leaders and additional stakeholders to continue to identify opportunities for optimal delivery of physical therapy interventions in the acute hospital.