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(05/27/2026) Researchers at the VA Eastern Colorado Healthcare System integrated physical therapy into primary care to reduce burden and increase care participation for Veterans with chronic pain or mobility issues. The researchers interviewed Veterans and VA staff from a pilot program that added physical therapy to the clinics’ patient-aligned care teams. Participants reported increased access to physical therapy, reduced wait times, and less transportation burden to attend therapy. The service also allowed Veterans to try conservative interventions for pain before resorting to surgery and enabled greater continuation of VA care without community care referrals, particularly in rural areas where physical therapy options may be limited. Veterans also reported high satisfaction with the program. The findings highlight how including physical therapists in primary care teams can decrease barriers to care and improve Veterans’ well-being. (Journal of General Internal Medicine, May 12, 2026)