When you think of research in physical therapy, what comes to mind?
Force plates? Statistical software? Hours spent poring over journal articles in university libraries?
That image might be accurate for some, but it leaves out one of the most important and underutilized players in advancing musculoskeletal care: the clinical physical therapist.
Clinicians aren’t just caregivers, they’re observers, pattern detectors, and problem-solvers. Every evaluation is a hypothesis. Every treatment plan is an experiment. Every patient is a unique dataset. But too often, clinicians believe they must leave patient care, or go back to school, to make a meaningful contribution to research.
They don’t.
In fact, some of the most impactful studies in musculoskeletal rehabilitation have emerged from clinicians who never stopped treating—but who found ways to channel their insight and curiosity into actionable, practice-based research.
Why research needs practicing clinicians
The gap between academia and real-world practice isn’t just a cliché, it’s a barrier to innovation. When research questions are designed without input from clinicians, the resulting findings often feel disconnected from daily practice:
“This intervention worked in a lab but doesn’t fit my 60-minute visit.”
“They studied chronic LBP, but didn’t include patients who had a prior surgery.”
“The outcome measure they used doesn’t reflect what patients actually care about.”
Clinicians bring context. They see trends, ask practical questions, and notice what doesn’t add up. They’re perfectly positioned to contribute, but often lack the structure or support to turn curiosity into evidence.
This is where organizations like IMSKA (Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement) step in.
Making research realistic: The IMSKA model
IMSKA is reshaping the way clinicians engage in research, not by asking them to leave the clinic, but by meeting them in it.
Through its clinician-partnered research model, IMSKA:
- Offers mentored, project-based pathways that align with clinical caseloads
- Provides data infrastructure and statistical support so clinicians aren’t buried in analysis
- Helps practitioners formulate and refine research questions based on real-world trends they’re observing
- Facilitates multi-site collaborations, amplifying the impact of small data sets
- Publishes findings in respected peer-reviewed journals with shared authorship
- Offers evidence informed continuing education and development for clinician-researchers
IMSKA’s mission is simple: accelerate innovation in MSK care by empowering those delivering it.
That means your front-line experience isn’t just valuable, it’s essential.
What kinds of research can clinicians do?
Not every clinician needs to design a randomized controlled trial. There are many ways to contribute to evidence-based practice, including:
| Research Type | Clinician-Friendly Approach |
| Case series or case reports | Track patient progress using standardized outcome tools and share trends |
| Quality improvement (QI) studies | Analyze changes in care delivery (e.g., adding a new screen, changing visit frequency) |
| Practice-based observational research | Collect and analyze real-world outcomes across common conditions |
| Survey-based research | Understand clinician or patient perspectives (e.g., barriers to adherence, beliefs about recovery) |
| Retrospective chart review | Identify patterns from past patients under specific care models or interventions |
| Registry participation | Contribute de-identified data to large-scale MSK registries through organizations like IMSKA |
These projects can often be started with as little as 1–2 hours a week and scaled based on interest and support.
How research complements—not competes with—clinical care
Many clinicians hesitate to get involved with research because of one word: time. And that’s understandable—productivity demands are real, and most physical therapists don’t have the bandwidth for unpaid side hustles. But here’s the shift: research doesn’t have to be separate from patient care. When designed thoughtfully, it can become part of your daily workflow. For example, you’re already tracking outcomes like pain, function, or strength—standardizing and analyzing that data adds minimal time. Writing a case report often mirrors the detailed evaluations or progress notes you already complete. Incorporating validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can both inform your clinical decisions and contribute to broader projects. And partnering with organizations like IMSKA provides access to templates, mentorship, IRB pathways, and shared data-entry platforms, making research realistic—even with a full patient load. Over time, contributing to research can sharpen your clinical skills, making you more reflective, analytical, and connected to the “why” behind your interventions.
The intrinsic rewards of clinical research
PTs who participate in research often describe it as professionally energizing. Here’s why:
- Purpose and contribution – Knowing that your insight could improve care for thousands, not just the patient in front of you, is deeply motivating
- Peer recognition – Research elevates your voice in your clinic, company, and professional community
- Opportunities for growth – Research involvement opens doors to speaking engagements, academic collaborations, and thought leadership
- Professional sustainability – Research satisfies curiosity and growth needs that protect against stagnation and burnout
- Patient trust – Patients often appreciate that their PT is engaged in contributing to the science of what works
Getting started: steps for the curious clinician
If you’re a PT who’s intrigued but unsure how to begin, here’s a simple roadmap:
- Start with a question – What do you see in your clinic that needs better answers?
- Track what you’re already doing – Use validated tools to gather patient-reported outcomes or clinical benchmarks
- Connect with a research-minded organization – Reach out to IMSKA or similar networks to explore structured support
- Find a mentor or collaborator – Don’t go it alone. Even informal guidance from a peer can move things forward
- Start small, stay curious – A case report or QI project can be the spark for a much larger journey
- Share your findings – Present at a state conference, submit to a journal, or lead a clinic in-service
Remember: good research starts with curiosity, not credentials.
Research isn’t for “someone else”—it’s for all of us
You don’t need a PhD, protected time, or a university appointment to advance the science of physical therapy. You need curiosity, mentorship, and a model that respects your time and talent.
The clinic isn’t a barrier to research, it’s where research questions begin. And with partners like IMSKA, clinicians can transform everyday insights into lasting impact.
So if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Why don’t we have better evidence for this?”—consider that your starting point. The profession doesn’t need more distance between practice and research. It needs more bridges. You can be one.
Ready to explore your role in research? Learn more about clinician-led study opportunities, mentorship, and data support at www.i-mska.org or contact the Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement today.
