University Research Clinic for Patient-Centered Elective Orthopedic Pathways
The University Research Clinic aims to transform and optimize elective orthopedic patient pathways through patient-centered and interdisciplinary research.
Silkeborg Regional Hospital's Elective Surgery Centre (ESC), home to the University Research Clinic for Patient-Centered Elective Orthopedic Pathways (PACOP), handles 33,000 yearly outpatient visits, driving a substantial volume of orthopedic surgeries.
Specializing in shoulder/elbow, spine, hip, knee, and sports-related procedures, as well as Dupuytren contracture surgeries, ESC contributes nearly 10% to national hip and knee arthroplasty production.
The extensive interdisciplinary expertise and orthopedic patient base at ESC represent a unique potential for research into new treatment pathways and their contextual implications for society and health at large.
The research excellence of PACOP is acknowledged by appointment as University Research Clinic by Aarhus University, October 2023.
Scientific focus
Over the past few decades, orthopedic surgery has made remarkable advancements in procedures and treatments. However, realizing the full potential of this requires continued scientific curiosity about the contextual factors and diverse challenges patients face throughout their medical journeys.
The research in PACOP will be grounded in a patient-centered commitment to solutions that serve and support coherence of the patient pathway. Our work integrates research in elective orthopedic services with attention to the contextual factors and dynamics of care that impact structures and service delivery. Thus, PACOP integrates humanistic and social science perspectives to complement biomedical research and evidence-based considerations.
This positions PACOP uniquely to analyze the space of care provision and treatment decisions as influenced by social and cultural norms and values, alongside biomedical functional outcomes, and prognostic values.
Such integrated perspectives will contribute to targeted communication and patient support throughout orthopedic treatment trajectories.
Integrating the perspectives of orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy, and social and humanistic sciences in the research program of PACOP offers a comprehensive approach that will serve to transform elective orthopedic services.
Want to learn more?
Our website will be updated with research profiles and projects in the near future.
Until then, please have a look at our extensive list of publications and the professor profiles at Mette Terp Høybye and David Høyrup Christiansen.