About Dr. Caitlin Zondlo and Health Service Research
Dr. Zondlo graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (Movement Science emphasis) in 2008 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Utah in 2011. Her clinical work experience over the past decade has focused on outpatient orthopedic care in large hospital settings that routinely collect patient reported outcome scores. It was through her clinical work experience that she was inspired to pursue her Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation and Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Utah (2021). Her research focuses on healthcare utilization and cost of common musculoskeletal conditions such as anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and knee osteoarthritis. She has published on the relationship of clinical outcomes and physical therapy visits in patients following ACL reconstruction, total joint arthroplasty, and hip arthroscopy. She also has presented nationally and recently concluded her work as PI on a pilot study grant examining healthcare utilization and rurality for knee osteoarthritis in Medicare beneficiaries.
As a LeaHD Scientist, Dr. Zondlo was embedded with Innovage, co-leading the project, “Fall Risk Prediction in Newly Enrolled PACE participants.”
The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a unique and innovative model for acute and long-term care service delivery for older individuals. The goal of the model is to maintain independent living for patients eligible for nursing home care. Participants in a PACE model are more medically complex than the general population with 8 comorbidities and over half with impaired cognition or dementia. (Gross 2004) Given the medical complexity of PACE participants, falls are of major consequence including increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. In the general population, risk factors for a fall include age, medication use, poor balance and chronic conditions. (Bergen 2014) Considering the high number of comorbidities and frailty of the PACE population, the risk factors for a fall may be different in a PACE population and have not been well described in previous literature. The study was conducted with the InnovAge PACE program. InnovAge is a nationwide PACE provider with centers in 6 states. The primary aim of the quality improvement study was to identify demographic and clinical characteristics recorded at the time of enrollment into the PACE system that are predictive of a fall. Selection of relevant demographic and clinical characteristic variables were identified and defined with input (via informal interviews) from stakeholders from InnovAge. A secondary aim of the study was to collect stakeholder input surrounding barriers and facilitators to implementation of a fall risk alert in the electronic medical record system and to assess providers’ perceptions of the importance of fall risk assessment. The primary purpose of the secondary aim was to inform future implementation projects at InnovAge.
Contact Dr. Zondlo
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Phone: 406-243-4757
Email: caitlin.zondlo@mso.umt.edu