The following is a guest article by Patrick Tarnowski, Chief Commercial Officer at OneStep
As many as 91% of patients who could benefit from physical therapy (PT) do not access care, and of those who do, only 30% complete their course of care. There are numerous reasons why.
Perhaps patients work long hours or need access to transportation to get them to their appointments, primarily if they live in rural or lower socioeconomic areas. Sometimes the cost of physical therapy services, and any additional monitoring equipment, creates an added barrier for particular populations and communities. When it comes to BIPOC individuals, a lack of diversity in the physical therapy profession can also deter them from seeking services. A combination of these factors may also result in a lack of perceived value in physical therapy, for patients.
The proliferation of telehealth capabilities across the healthcare space over the past two years stands to change how patients receive care in addition to who can access it. By enabling patients to do physical therapy exactly where they are, at their convenience, physical therapists also benefit from the heightened ability to track and adjust for a patient’s progress in real-time, during real-life circumstances. In addition, some modern telehealth solutions require minimal or no additional equipment, allowing for even greater flexibility and access to care.
How Accessibility Improves Clinical Outcomes for Patients
Today’s digital health solutions allow individuals to stay connected with their physical therapists from anywhere, enabling both patients and providers to access more information than they would have with solely in-person visits.
Virtual physical therapy sessions may be easier for patients to fit into their busy lives since they don’t have to drive to the clinic. An at-home appointment can be convenient for parents and those with demanding work schedules. For those who live in rural areas, far from the nearest PT clinic, or those who don’t have readily accessible transportation, attending online sessions may be considerably more feasible than traveling to in-person appointments.
Virtual physical therapy can also be more physically accessible and convenient for rehabilitation patients. While recovering from surgery or an injury, a patient may be unable to drive to an appointment. Telehealth therapy allows them to progress in their recovery without needing to leave home.
Allowing patients to self-manage their symptoms in their homes can boost patient autonomy, making them feel more in control of their recovery process. It is also helpful to conduct physical therapy telehealth sessions in the same area of the home where patients will practice exercises independently. That way, the licensed therapist can offer guidance on using rehabilitative equipment and home features, such as walls, doorways, and furniture, within specific exercises.
In addition, digital solutions that don’t rely on wearables can improve physical and fiscal accessibility due to their portable nature and lack of necessary—and often expensive—monitoring equipment. These improvements can benefit the elderly in addition to minority communities that traditionally fall victim to healthcare disparities. The end user gains more significant benefits when digital solutions are designed for age and cultural sensitivity, not just a specific clinical need.
Advantages for Physical Therapists
According to a new report from Definitive Healthcare, approximately 22,000 PTs left the healthcare workforce in 2021. This is another example of America’s worsening healthcare workforce shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts about 15,400 yearly PT job openings, with a 16.9% employment growth rate between 2021 and 2031. Many of those openings result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the workforce altogether.
There is hope in sight with digital physical therapy solutions, as they can give PTs (and their patients) better flexibility and convenience.
For specific treatments, virtual physical therapy is equally as effective as in-person therapy. Remote monitoring allows PTs to adjust a patient’s care plan and mobility goals in real-time, leading to more informed decision making. Good solutions give providers a 360-degree view of their patients.
The future in every arena of human life is automated, remote and decentralized. The PT profession must keep pace with emerging technologies to survive and thrive, today and tomorrow. We must devise innovative solutions that strengthen the therapeutic alliance between PTs and their patients, while also building a community among clinicians— to optimize care through information and ideation.
