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Joshua Kurt Johnson

Assistant Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Therapy
311 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Research Interests


My research on rehabilitation services in health systems focuses primarily on transitions from acute care hospitals into post-acute care settings. These are challenging transitions for individuals with new or worsened deficits in functional independence due to hospitalization. My research seeks to understand the system-level mechanisms for preventing functional decline in the hospital and system-level solutions for providing the most appropriate post-acute rehabilitation. 

Mostly on these topics, I have authored or co-authored over 30 publications. Many of my projects have been completed in partnership with health system leaders, who share an interest in understanding and improving rehabilitation care pathways. I enjoy integrating these topics into the courses I teach in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program in the Duke School of Medicine.

Selected Grants


Randomized Trial of Assisted Ambulation to Improve Health Outcomes for Older Medical Inpatients

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine · 2024 - 2027

Evaluating the Implementation of High Intensity Home-Based Rehabilitation Following Stroke

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality · 2024 - 2027

Fellowships, Gifts, and Supported Research


Implementation of the PT-PENCIL Tool to Facilitate Discharging Home · June 2022 - May 2024 Principal Investigator · Awarded by: Learning Health System Rehabilitation Research Network (an NIH P2C-funded Center) · $25,000.00
Evaluating the implementation of high intensity home-based rehabilitation following stroke · July 2021 - June 2023 Principal Investigator · Awarded by: Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute · $80,203.00
Patient outcomes associated with physical therapy treatment in the acute hospital · October 2020 - September 2021 Principal Investigator · Awarded by: Learning Health System Rehabilitation Research Network (an NIH P2C-funded Center) · $15,000.00
Examining the effectiveness of a ‘Home Care Plus’ program on patient-important outcomes · July 2020 - June 2023 Principal Investigator · Awarded by: Center on Health Services Training and Research · $25,000.00
A population health model for monitoring physical function following acute hospitalization · April 2018 - March 2020 Co-Investigator · Awarded by: Center on Health Services Training and Research · $25,000.00
Linking acute care physical therapist practice and patient characteristics with patient-centered outcomes · July 2017 - June 2019 Principal Investigator · Awarded by: Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy · $5,000.00

External Relationships


  • Arcadia University
  • Cleveland Clinic
  • Learning Health System Scholar, Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies, institutions, or organizations listed above. This information is available to institutional leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.