Cathy Schmidt is an Associate Professor for the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Cathy earned her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute of Health Professions as part of the inaugural Doctorate class in 2017. She received combined degrees: transitional DPT and Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions and her Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy from Quinnipiac College.
Cathy completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in Health Services Research through the Center on Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR) at Brown University in Providence, RI.
Cathy has over 13 years of clinical experience in outpatient orthopedics, including private practice management. Cathy received the Marjorie K. Ionta Award for clinical excellence in physical therapy in 2006.
BS, Physical Therapy, Quinnipiac College, Hamden, CT
Combined MS and DPT, orthopedic specialization, MGH Institute of Health Professions
PhD, Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions
Cathy has dual research training in clinical and health services rehabilitation sciences. Cathy’s doctoral research involved identifying neuromuscular impairments associated with mobility limitations among community-dwelling older adults with lumbar spinal stenosis.
Cathy's postdoctoral research included using large data systems (Medicare claims and Veteran's of the United States armed forces) to evaluate the relationship between physical therapy and healthcare outcomes of surgery and opioids for patients with lumbar spine disorders.
Cathy's ongoing research includes evaluating physical therapy utilization and the relationship on healthcare outcomes such as injections, surgery, and opioid use for patients with osteoarthritis. Additionally, she is evaluating barriers and facilitators to physical therapy care using Partner's Healthcare data.
Cathy is collaborating with MGH PT colleagues to identify factors associated with DPT student NPTE performance; and colleagues from Brown University to identify factors associated with receipt of non-pharmacological care for patients with chronic pain.
Dr. Schmidt has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Schmidt's publications on Google Scholar or in her CV.
Initial Treatment Approaches and Healthcare Utilization Among Veterans with Low Back Pain.
Physical Therapy and Healthcare Utilization for Older Adults with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.
In addition, Dr. Schmidt regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Augmented Reality and Clinical Assessments: Examining and Feasibility for Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.
Rehabilitation Utilization Among High-Need Patient Populations: Advancing the Physical Therapy Health Services Research Agenda at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.
Harnessing Administrative Data to Examine Rehabilitation Use and Outcomes in High Need Patient Populations at the ACRM Conference.
Leveraging Big Data to Inform Clinical Decisions and Drive Quality Improvement at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.
Physical Therapy or Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Associating Factors and Healthcare Utilization at the GSA Annual Conference.