Stratified Targeted Engagement From Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT) (NCT07290361) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Stratified Targeted Engagement From Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT)
United States17,587 participantsStarted 2025-12-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a health system intervention called "Stratified Targeted Engagement from Primary Care to Physical Therapy (STEPPT)" can improve how often doctors refer Hispanic patients with spine pain to physical therapy (referral rate) and how often patients attend physical therapy after being referred (adherence rate). The main questions this study aims to answer are 1) does STEPPT improve physical therapy referral and adherence rates compared to usual care for Hispanic patients with spine pain who seek care in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving low income communities, and 2) how consistently do FQHC providers and staff deliver STEPPT to patients who may benefit? STEPPT will train doctors and other health care providers to educate participants on the benefits of physical therapy for spine pain and participants will receive culturally tailored handouts and videos to teach them about their spine pain and what to expect in physical therapy. Patients will also receive personalized assistance to schedule their physical therapy appointment and address potential barriers for attending the appointment.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria
* 18 years or older.
* Identify as either Hispanic or Non-Hispanic ethnicity, inclusive of all races.
* Seeking care for spine pain at an Adult or Adult Walk-in primary care clinic within the participating Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
* New or existing spine pain problem: A new spine pain problem is defined by a new ICD code for neck or back pain added to the problem list during a visit with a primary care physician. An existing spine pain problem is defined by an existing ICD code for neck or back pain on the problem list that is associated with a physician referral for any service during the visit related to the neck or back pain problem.
* Signed a broad consent for the use of de-identified health information for research at the participating FQHC.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Spine pain associated with a non-musculoskeletal etiology (e.g., infection, cancer, urological disorders, pregnancy, etc.)
* Patients requiring urgent medical intervention (e.g., fracture, cauda equina syndrome, etc)
* Active physical therapy referral for spine pain at the time of the index encounter.
* Previously referred to physical therapy through the STEPPT Care Pathway.
* Physical therapy referrals external to the FQHC will be excluded from the analysis of physical therapy adherence
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Physical Therapy Referral
Timeframe: Patient level: 3-months after index PCP encounter; Clinic level: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months after start of trial
2
Physical Therapy Adherence
Timeframe: Patient level: 6-months after index physical therapy referral; Clinic level: 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months after start of trial