Advancing the Implementation of Patient-Centered Outcomes in Rehabilitation Learning Health Systems: Insights From the 2024 LeaRRn Summit.

Abstract

Patient-centered outcomes can inform the delivery of value-based rehabilitation care; however, there are many barriers that affect their routine use in clinical care. Learning health systems-which focus on improving patient-centered outcomes through the iterative process of data collection, knowledge generation, and practice change-are well-positioned to overcome these barriers. In September 2024, the Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network and the Center on Health Services Training and Research hosted the Power of Patient-Centered Outcomes in Rehabilitation Learning Health Systems Summit. The Summit aimed to advance the science and practice of implementing patient-centered outcomes in learning health systems. It was organized around the following 5 stages of the patient-centered outcome lifecycle in learning health systems: (1) selecting measures, (2) capturing data, (3) accessing data, (4) analyzing data, and (5) using data. At the Summit, experts across the rehabilitation community presented current work related to each of these lifecycle stages, discussed challenges to implementing patient-centered outcomes in learning health systems during breakout groups, and generated potential solutions for improving implementation of patient-centered outcomes across the 5 stages. The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the central themes of the Summit, which include common challenges and potential solutions to implementing patient-centered outcomes in rehabilitation learning health systems. In doing so, this paper aims to serve as a catalyst for future efforts to incorporate patient-centered outcomes within learning health systems in rehabilitation care. List of abbreviations: EHR, electronic health record; LeaRRn, Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network; LHS, learning health system.