Collab to Expand Virtual Therapy Access for Musculoskeletal Disorders

A new collaboration between MSU Health Care and RecoveryOne aims to improve community health and reduce costs through the implementation of new virtual care options for patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders.

With more than 600 faculty and affiliate providers, MSU Health Care is the fully integrated academic health center of Michigan State University. The organization provides primary and specialty care as well as advanced surgical, rehabilitation, and imaging services.

Dedicated to the recovery stage of care, RecoveryOne is a virtual physical therapy solution that provides evidence-based digital programs to address clinical MSK needs. 

Recently, the two organizations formed a partnership dedicated to treating MSK disorders. Affecting one in two Americans and three out of four people over 65, MSK diseases are related to pain in the joints, neck, and back, and these issues are often accompanied by a higher chance of depression and anxiety, according to the press release.

Through the new partnership, MSU Health Care will offer RecoveryOne's virtual platform to MSK patients alongside its in-person physical medicine and rehabilitation services.

RecoveryOne's platform includes over 200 clinically validated pathways that are condition specific and 2,000 or more therapeutic exercises that treat the entire body. Using the platform, patients in the MSU Health Care Network will gain access to computer vision and artificial intelligence technology capabilities that will guide them as they perform exercises.

Further, patients will be able to connect with physical therapists and certified health coaches via the app when needed.

Another goal of this collaborative effort is to expand virtual therapy access to the numerous individuals residing in rural areas who would otherwise have to commute long distances. According to the press release, almost 20 percent of the Michigan population lives in rural areas.

“This innovative collaboration will expand physical therapy to our current patients who may not be able to seek care on-site due to geographic or other barriers to care. Our musculoskeletal services within our primary care, neurology, rehabilitation, physical therapy, imaging and osteopathic manipulation will benefit from this additional modality,” said Roger Jansen, chief innovation officer of MSU Health Care, in a press release. “We can evaluate the patient and direct them to either the in-person clinic or virtual therapy. For some patients, we’re aiming to consolidate both into one treatment plan. With RecoveryOne’s help, we are meeting our patients where they are, extending our reach to serve more patients with our current workforce all which increases our value to the community."

Implementing virtual care options for MSK care services is becoming more common.

Last December, Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) partnered with IncludeHealth to add virtual and at-home MSK care services. The organizations merged the IncludeHealth MSK Operating System (MSK-OS) and YNHHS' in-person orthopedic services with the goal of providing a hybrid care model.

The MSK-OS is a device-agnostic platform that uses body-tracking technology and proprietary clinical intelligence to deliver virtual MSK care. The hybrid care model allows YNHHS clinicians to provide patients with the option of engaging in an interactive virtual home exercise program that supplements in-person services.