Patricia D Franklin

Patricia D Franklin is a Professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine with appointments in Medical Social Sciences (Implementation Science), Medical Social Sciences (Determinants of Health), Medicine (Rheumatology), and Orthopaedic Surgery. As MPI for the ACCELERAT K12 in Learning Health Systems (AHRQ), she leads training for embedded patient-centered outcomes researchers while directing nationally recognized research in real-world evidence generation.

Her educational credentials include:

• MD, University of Rochester (1983)
• MBA, University of Rochester (1986)
• MPH, University of Rochester (1989)
• Residency in Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry (1986)
• Fellowship in Health Services Research, University of Rochester Medical Center (1987)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Orthopedics/Health Services Research, Northwestern University

Dr. Franklin's research program integrates patient-reported outcomes with clinical and administrative data to create longitudinal real-world evidence supporting learning health systems. Her work focuses on methodological innovation in PRO capture, quality improvement applications, and addressing health disparities in orthopedic care—particularly for osteoarthritis and total joint replacement patients. She pioneered the FORCE-TJR cohort tracking 30,000+ patients across 28 states with 80%+ PRO completion rates.

Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate three converging trends: 1) Advanced methodologies for PRO implementation in orthopedic specialties using PROMIS metrics, 2) Rigorous analysis of racial and socioeconomic disparities in joint replacement access and outcomes, and 3) Development of patient coaching interventions for shared decision-making using predictive outcome reports. Her work consistently bridges clinical practice, health policy, and data science.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Women Faculty Award for Excellence in Science and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School (2015)

Dr. Franklin has mentored 9+ junior investigators to first federal awards (R01/R21/R03) through FORCE-TJR ancillary studies. Current research leadership includes:

• PI, NIAMS R01AR083390: Clinical Interpretation of PROMs in Knee Osteoarthritis/TJR
• PI, PCORI IHS 1507-31714: Arthritis for Shared Knowledge (A.S.K.) trial
• Co-I, NIAMS R01AR078342: Sociodemographic predictors of TKR outcomes
• Co-I, PCORI 1504-30198: Anti-thrombotic medication trial in TJR
• Co-I, NIAMS P30AR072579-01: Methods core for population health research

She directs the FORCE-TJR learning health system—a National Academy of Medicine-cited model supporting $19M+ in ancillary research—and leads the Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science within Northwestern's Institute for Public Health and Medicine (IPHAM). Her team develops real-time analytic dashboards for quality improvement and implements embedded research infrastructure across clinical networks.