How What Matters To You is incorporated at the new Center for Bone & Joint Health
The new Center for Bone & Joint Health at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital was created as a direct result of patient feedback and identified needs. Care teams in a busy orthopedic practice noticed that their patients wanted and needed whole-person care and individualized care plans that would help them reach their goals. Although patients were coming through the doors with one common factor - joint pain - each person’s goals were different. And while the traditional approach to care might decrease each patient’s pain, it did not help them improve their overall health. The Center for Bone and Joint Health was designed to help patients make lifestyle changes that protect and preserve their bone and joint health while improving wellness. The Center’s holistic and non-surgical approach combines multiple departments within the hospital including bariatrics, mid-life health, nutrition, and mental health to coordinate and work towards patient-specific goals.
To build the personalized care pathways that help patients reach their wellness goals, the Center uses co-design principles and the “What Matters To You?” tool. Instead of asking, “What’s the matter with you?” Center providers start meaningful conversations with “What matters to you?”. This flipped script ensures patients and families are heard, genuine partnerships are made, and the care provided becomes truly person-centered.
At the Center, the patient, their support persons, and all providers are considered vital parts of the care team. Asking “What matters to you?” informs the care team, sets the priorities, and forms care plans around the goals that are most important to the individual. If a patient cares most about being present for their grandchildren’s milestones, but currently lacks the mobility and independence they need to physically attend the milestones, a pathway is created for them that incorporates injections, low-impact exercise, and nutrition. The clinical outcome is a body that is pain free, active, and healthy, which ultimately can help slow the degeneration of arthritis. The person-centered outcome is a greater likelihood of achieving what matters most to them.
Starting with “What matters to you?” the Center care teams work 1:1 with patients to identify primary and secondary health goals so that a care pathway can be mapped out. In the Center’s first year, nine patients completed their care journeys. Of those nine, eight met their primary goal and four met both their primary and secondary goals. Six patients cited weight loss as their primary goal - not surprising when you consider the connections between aching joints and extra weight. Five of those six patients met their specific weight loss goal, and the group lost an average of 18.5 pounds overall.
One of our first patients, Katie B., was referred to the Center by her primary care physician because she was diagnosed with early-stage arthritis in her knees. Katie had her reservations before her appointment, but was quickly reassured, “I left the visit with my fears allayed and clear direction on what I need to do to keep my joints healthy”. Katie B. has since met her goals and graduated from the program to get back to the things that matter most to her.
If you are interested in making an appointment at the Center for Bone & Joint Health, visit https://discoverdrd.com/cbjh or call 412.641.8594.