The recovery process following spine surgery is both physically and mentally taxing, with significant sociodemographic disparities affecting access and outcomes. To address these issues, this project team developed the innovative Spine Surgery Patient Navigators program.

The program’s goal is to enhance healthcare access, resource utilization and social support for spine surgery patients, ultimately improving their postoperative outcomes. The team provided individualized support to patients through their surgery journey by connecting them to essential resources and alleviating anxiety.

Throughout the year, the team conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses to assess the outcome of this intervention. Key achievements included a reduction in patient distress levels, high satisfaction rates and improved surgical experiences.

Learn more about this team’s work by reading their team profile.

Timing

Fall 2023 – Spring 2024

Team Outputs

Improving Spine Surgery Patient Outcomes (Team profile; 2024 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Virtual Showcase)

Patient resources

Scoping review

Systematic reviews

Perspective paper

Podium and/or poster presentations at Duke Neurosurgery Grand Rounds, Duke Patient Advocacy Group, Southern Orthopaedic Association Meeting, Eastern Orthopaedic Association Meeting and North Carolina Spine Society Meeting

The Impact of Social Support on Outcomes in Spine Surgery Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Poster presented at Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day, May 9, 2024)

Transforming Spine Surgery Care: The Role of Patient Navigators (Poster presented at Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day, May 9, 2024)

Support at Every Step: Spine Surgery Patient Navigators Enhance Quality of Care (Poster presented at Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day, May 9, 2024)

Prognostic Factors of Ambulation and Lower Extremity Motor Outcomes After Cervical Spine Cord Injury (Poster presented at Duke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Research Day, May 9, 2024)

Spine Surgery Patient Navigators (Poster presented at Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 17, 2024)

Support at Every Step: Spine Surgery Patient Navigators Enhance Quality of Care (Poster presented at Root Causes Gala, Duke University Medical School, April 11, 2024)

See related team, Spine Surgery Patient Navigators (2024-2025).

Image: Spine Care, by DukeHealth