Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams and Holistic Patient Care Become Standard
Polychronic patients make up 5% of the population but use 45% of annual medical costs.1 In the United States, the number of polychronic patients continues to grow, with the population expected to triple in just
15 years between 2015 and 2030.2 These patients typically see multiple healthcare providers to treat each condition separately based on the provider’s specialty. Polychronic patients are disproportionally affected by our fragmented healthcare system because they need to coordinate with various providers and accurately communicate what treatments they are undergoing when moving between practices.
Health information technology (HIT) and electronic health records (EHR) have assisted in transferring information between all providers. Still, in 2025, we expect to see additional steps toward holistic patient care, particularly for these vulnerable populations. The World Health Organization said, “Establishment of teamwork and collaboration in multi-professional teams is a major skill-mix change and is key for organizing and coordinating health and care services.” These teams include general practitioners, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, mental health care providers, nutritionists, community health workers, and more.3
Why it Matters
Sharing information between a team of medical professionals and making decisions based on input from all providers as well as the patient greatly improves health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Increased cross-team communication reduces adverse events, mortality, and lengths of stay during hospitalizations. This, in turn, leads to reduced medical costs due to fewer hospital readmissions and shorter hospital stays and increased job satisfaction for healthcare employees. The collaborative nature of multidisciplinary healthcare teams benefits the patient and the entire healthcare system, making it a standard for holistic patient care.
Multidisciplinary healthcare teams are fast becoming the norm, with medical schools now incorporating interdisciplinary teamwork into their curriculum as an essential skill. Physical therapists play a pivotal role in these teams, with their unique understanding of a patient’s movement, physical abilities, and need for support. Their involvement in treatment planning can prevent the need for surgery, reduce reliance on prescription drugs, enhance quality of life, and offer cost-effective treatment options for patients with complex medical histories.
Another significant development is the increasing prevalence of value-based payment systems, particularly for CMS and other health insurance companies. In this model, the quality of care is the primary determinant of payment, necessitating a team approach that encompasses all treatments and testing. Payments are typically made per episode and intended to be distributed among all providers involved in the patient’s care, marking a departure from the traditional fee-for-service model. With their expertise in movement and physical abilities, physical therapists will play an essential role in determining the most cost-effective way to treat ailments. Their unique understanding can point the medical team toward alternative therapies and treatments that can avoid costly surgeries or in-patient treatments.
Starting in 2019, the CMS required some physical therapists to participate in Quality Payment Programs. Care evaluation in these systems looks at patients’ outcomes and improvements in areas such as mobility, self-care, BMI, and fall risk.4
4 All of these fall under the physical therapist’s expertise. By participating extensively in the multidisciplinary team, physical therapists play an essential role in value-based care measured outcomes such as patient satisfaction, cost containment, and self-care.
Prepare for 2025
Get to know the other providers in your community and within your patients’ value-based care systems. Understand a patient’s full medical history to determine their current risk factors and recommend regular monitoring. Identify where additional support for physical therapy services can prevent disease degeneration or decrease independence.
Connection to Net Health
A comprehensive and user-friendly EHR will make you a great partner in a multidisciplinary team. Sharing information and analyzing data will be an essential competency moving forward so the entire team is always up to date on the latest progress or concerns for all patients. EHRs like Net Health ReDoc and Net Health Optima ensure that the entire team can access the information they need to make decisions in the patient’s best interest.
- https://www.pragmaticcoders.com/blog/healthcare-tech-trends-digital-health-trends
- https://www.advisory.com/content/dam/advisory/en/public/shared/Research/PEC/Resources/2019/Polychronic-Patient-Experience/Deliver-a-Quality-Driven-Patient-Experience-for-Polychronic-Patients.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589250/
- https://www.apta.org/contentassets/6c8cff8f62214575b3d8c06e46359d73/physicaltherapistqualityportfolio2018.pdf
Regenerative Revolution: Enhancing Wound Healing With Stem Cells and Growth Technologies
Slowly, the damaged area fills in with new cells, eventually blending seamlessly with surrounding tissues. Now, through human innovation, we are closer than ever to finding new ways to support and enhance tissue regeneration. The key players in regeneration are stem cells and growth factors. Stem cells, often called the body’s “raw materials,” differentiate into specialized cells to replace damaged tissues. These cells lie dormant until the body signals that damage has occurred, at this point, they activate, multiply, and transform into the specific cells needed to repair the injury.
Why it Matters
As remarkable as the body’s natural capacity for regeneration is, it could be better. Injuries to the heart, cartilage in the joints, or spinal cord can have devastating effects, often leading to chronic conditions or permanent damage. These limitations have driven researchers to explore ways to boost the body’s healing power or even substitute it with engineered solutions. Some of the more promising advancements include the following:
- Stem cell therapy, a treatment that involves injecting stem cells directly into damaged tissues. These cells are capable of transforming into the specific types needed to repair the area and can also potentially regenerate entire structures.
- Gene editing is yet another frontier in tissue regeneration. Tools like CRISPR-Cas9 allow scientists to edit specific genes that control regenerative processes. Imagine flipping the right genetic switch to boost your body’s natural healing ability.
- Bioengineered scaffolds, are designed to act as a framework for cells to grow on, mimicking the natural environment of the body’s extracellular matrix. When implanted into damaged tissue, they encourage cells to populate the scaffold and form new, functional tissue.
- Nanotechnology enables materials that interact with biological tissues at the molecular level. These tiny particles can deliver drugs, growth factors, or stem cells directly to the site of injury, enhancing the body’s natural regenerative processes.
When any new solution enters the marketplace, wound care providers inevitably ask, “What does this mean to us? How will it impact what, when, and how we provide care to our patients? With the ability to accelerate healing and reduce the need for traditional wound management techniques, providers will likely see a shift from long-term wound care to more acute, short-term interventions.
This change means that wound care professionals will need to adapt to new protocols and technologies, focusing more on monitoring the progress of tissue regeneration and less on managing chronic wounds.
Prepare for the Future
To prepare for the impact of tissue regeneration, wound care providers should invest in education and technologies to facilitate its use. Actions like reading the latest journals and attending conferences and seminars will be crucial in staying ahead of the curve. By fostering a proactive learning environment and embracing innovative practices, wound care professionals can ensure they are well-equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of wound management and provide their patients with the highest standard of care.
Connection to Net Health
As tissue regeneration advances and technology evolves, solutions like Net Health Tissue Analytics will play a crucial role in integrating and optimizing these innovations. For example, digital tools like Tissue Analytics will streamline the documentation and monitoring of regenerative treatments, ensure seamless communication among care teams, and provide real-time data analytics to enhance decision-making.
Customized Treatment Plans Become More Accurate and Available with Genetics and Biotechnology
These innovative breakthroughs in understanding our genetic makeup continue to change how professionals approach medicine. One change that is quickly becoming commonplace is personalized medicine. This is “an emerging practice of medicine that uses an individual’s genetic profile to guide decisions made in regard to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.”3 A one-size-fits-all approach is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to new genetic research, doctors can prescribe the right medication in the correct dosage, anticipate how a patient will react to treatments, and suggest lifestyle changes for diseases with a genetic predisposition. This research-based approach is also poised to transform how we provide physical therapy services to patients.
Why it Matters
The body’s response to exercise varies greatly based on the genetic components we are beginning to understand. Approximately 50% of exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness is due to genetic factors.4 This data leads to better exercise regimes and provides details like the best exercise programs and times of day, suggested sleep hygiene, and optimal dietary programs based on a patient’s genetic makeup. Genetic information can help elite athletes develop training regimes, as well as help develop exercise programs that improve longevity, mobility, and recovery from injury or illness.
Physical therapists are already experts at understanding how lifestyle and environmental factors influence a patient’s health and expected outcomes. Layer this with information about genetic factors, and providers get a comprehensive understanding of responses to medication, physical activity, likeliness to comply, and rates of readmissions. This in-depth information will make treatment planning much more accurate and individualized.
Information about the root causes of illness, injury, healing, and health will change the way providers treat patients. It will also broaden the scope of treatment from traditional interventions to encompass preventative measures, lifestyle changes, and stress reduction programs. Genetic information will provide insight into risk factors, suggested diets, physical activity, pain perception, and regenerating lost muscle mass. There is also strong evidence that previously untreatable conditions will start to show signs of progress through gene therapy and cell regeneration.5
Even more progressive research shows that there may be alternatives to traditional exercise or physical therapy for those unable to participate in conventional PT offerings. Those who use wheelchairs, have degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, or are experiencing paralysis have found success with gene therapy that mimics the results of physical activity.6 While more research is needed, this could be the catalyst that allows these patients to work toward normal functioning and participate in a recovery program and independently perform activities of daily living.
Prepare for the Future
Genetic counseling is not available to all patients. Learn who is eligible and who provides the service for insurance providers you work with. Keep up with regulations about the privacy of genetic information, as well as research about how this information can help you tailor your treatment plans to the unique genetic makeup of your patients.
Maximizing Value in Wound Care: Providers Seek Innovative Solutions to Meet Value-Based Care Mandates
Reimbursement models such as bundled payments and capitated arrangements have become more common. Additionally, around 129 million people are now covered by Medicare and Medicaid. These programs have experienced significant changes in reimbursement, ranging from Value-Based Care (VBC) to Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to Alternative Payment Models
Why it Matters
Each model has different guidelines, regulations, reimbursement formulas, and penalties. This means virtually every task undertaken by wound care providers has been affected. For example, hospital readmissions, a critical issue for wound care, have been tied to significant financial penalties under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). At the same time, reductions in reimbursement rates for certain services, particularly in outpatient wound care, have squeezed profit margins. And that means we are all struggling to find innovative solutions to target critical areas.
Prepare for the Future
To adopt, more providers are exploring a number of options, from technology to new products to new staffing models. These represent massive changes.
“Twenty-five years ago, wound care depended on two core areas: dressings that protected the wound and antimicrobial creams/ointments to control infection and bacteria in the wound. That was essentially it… Looking ahead, patients will be well-served by progress in the portability, mobility and enhanced convenience of advanced wound care treatment modalities.” – John Harper, Ph.D., noted industry expert as quoted in The Alliance of Wound Care Stakeholders.
As an example of innovations in the field, there are now wound dressings that incorporate growth factors or biomaterials to promote tissue regeneration. When integrated into existing workflows, these products can reduce healing times and lower the risk of complications, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced costs.
As reimbursement models evolve, robust and reliable wound care data is also becoming a crucial tool for providers. By understanding which treatments are most cost-effective and yield the best outcomes, providers can implement strategies that align with both clinical goals and the financial realities of value-based care. Embracing innovations supported by evidence-based research and clinical trials ensures that these strategies deliver measurable value.
Wound care leadership is essential to navigate the changing times and to ensure new models are economically viable for an organization. This involves analyzing outcome data, considering the potential impact on staffing, and evaluating the ease of integration into workflows. A strategic, data-driven approach to adopting new technologies can help ensure that innovations deliver on their promise to improve care while controlling costs.
As wound care providers continue to operate within an increasingly complex reimbursement environment, adopting advanced technologies and methodologies is crucial to success. By staying informed about the latest trends and focusing on evidence-based solutions, providers can maximize the value of their wound care programs, enhance patient outcomes, and thrive in the ever-shifting reimbursement landscape.
Connection to Net Health
To navigate this changing landscape, providers are turning to technologies like digital wound management platforms that incorporate AI to assess wounds and predict healing trajectories.
With technologies like Net Health® Tissue Analytics, patients can now receive wound assessments at home, reducing the need for in-person visits and allowing providers to catch complications early, thereby avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations. This shift toward remote and digital solutions is helping providers manage larger caseloads while maintaining the quality of care.
Advanced AI Used to Improve Treatment Planning and Streamline Billing
Artificial Intelligence is a buzzword in every industry in 2025, particularly for medical providers. Uses are rapidly evolving as the technology learns from expanded applications. AI can process large quantities of data quickly and cross-reference a set of data with what it has learned. This processing speed can benefit physical therapists and patients as the technology examines images and medical history to accurately predict healing, risk factors, root causes, and treatment plans. Rather than relying on one provider’s knowledge and experience, it can synthesize massive amounts of data to compare the patient to millions of other data points. This improves the accuracy of diagnosis and develops a more accurate treatment plan.
Why it matters
AI will continue to refine its suggestions for better, more effective treatment by adding data to the technology through documentation and measurement. Instead of following prescribed physical therapy programs, AI can help providers develop personalized treatment plans that consider a patient’s age, mobility, health history, and potential areas of concern. Customized plans will evolve as more information is gathered and the patient progresses through treatment and makes improvements. It can notice patterns, monitor trends, and predict needs quickly. Allowing AI to constantly iterate treatment plans in response to a patient’s progress leads to faster recovery times and more provider availability. This is particularly essential in rural or high-cost-of-living areas experiencing PT shortages.
An additional layer of support AI can offer is monitoring sessions with patients. AI can measure and track even minute changes in mobility, pain, angles, posture, and balance. Employing wearable technology or motion capture technology during physical therapy improves the experience and the accuracy of documentation and future planning. AI and robotic coaches can fill gaps in support for patients during therapy. It can interact with patients, keeping them on track between appointments by reminding them to practice exercises and correcting unhelpful movement patterns.1
AI also supports clinicians by completing paperwork, tracking documentation, and catching billing errors. Using AI to support clerical work will save the practice time and money. Integrated electronic medical records can proactively understand payer regulations and ensure compliance by alerting practices to errors. In a 2023 APTA study, three-quarters of providers reported that prior authorization requirements delayed treatment by more than 25%. Ten percent of claims are denied the first time they are processed, and most respondents report spending more than 30 minutes on each of these claims.2 Using AI to screen documentation for errors before submission will save time and money for all physical therapy practices.
While embracing AI to streamline administrative tasks and improve treatment is exciting, we can’t ignore that many people are still wary of this new technology, and it can pose privacy risks if not used correctly. When implementing AI technology into your practice, understand what it can and cannot do accurately. Carefully select your technology provider by screening their security, backup methods, and privacy regulations. Medical providers have access to large amounts of personal data and are responsible for protecting it, even if they use AI to support treatment and billing.
Prepare for the future
Be open to embracing the right AI technology for your practice. Identify areas where big data sets and natural language models will save time and make you more effective. Research the possibilities for AI to transform your billing systems and treatment planning.
An Aging Population Means More Openings and a Greater Need for Physical Therapists
This significant increase in the elderly population will not only create a need for additional physical therapists who work with elderly patients to restore mobility and improve quality of life but also strain the healthcare industry. It also means that many physical therapists currently working in the field will retire in the coming years, and the next generation of therapists will need to be trained and prepared to take their place in a rapidly changing industry.
In a March 2024 study, 60% of respondents age 55+ have used physical therapy services.1 Of those receiving physical therapy in any setting, 40-43% are 65 and older. As the population of older adults increases, so will the number seeking physical therapy services. A 2023 study reflected, “Advancing age increases the presence of disease and the risk of a fall with the potential for subsequent injuries. Therefore, prevention-focused efforts aimed at fall reduction and health promotion are warranted for older adults.”2
Why it Matters
Older populations may be referred to physical therapy for various reasons, from prevention to recovery. Practicing physical therapists should be familiar with using movement and exercise to support elderly patients, including:
- Prevent falls
- Strength
- Mobility
- Flexibility
- Pain management
- Control of disease progression
- Mental acuity
- Rehabilitation
- Mood stabilization
- Balance
As a greater percentage of the population enters their senior years, the focus on healthy aging will continue to gain momentum. Studies have shown that reducing physical inactivity by 25% could prevent one million cases of dementia annually worldwide,3 and physical therapy in a hospital setting reduces the risk of readmissions.4
The American Physical Therapy Association released a 10% total vacancy rate in its annual report in 2023. This vacancy rate is partially due to the growing demand for physical therapy services, with 51% of practices reporting vacancies due to their business growth. Leadership should also be aware that 72% of those who left the profession cited a better work-life balance as a primary motivation. This data underscores the need for proactive measures to address the workforce shortage in the physical therapy industry.
Despite therapists leaving the occupation due to burnout, seeking a higher-paying profession, or retirement, new graduates continue to enter the field. There has been a 186% increase in graduates from Doctor of Physical Therapy programs since 2010, or more than 10,000 graduates entering the workforce per year. Still, it is estimated that 26,000 open positions by 2025 cannot be filled.5 This shortage will be particularly dire in rural areas or regions with a high cost of living. DPTs graduate with an average of $142,000 in student debt that they need to be able to repay.6 In addition to creating long wait times for physical therapy services, a shortage of therapists in rural areas deprives residents of pain management services that could contribute to lower uses of medications. These areas have been affected disproportionately by the opioid crisis and could be impacted by greater access to non-medical interventions.
Prepare for the Future
Welcome new graduates into the profession by mentoring them and establishing a healthy work-life balance for employees. Try to anticipate your practice’s hiring needs, as filling vacancies may take longer than usual.
Connection to Net Health
Those entering the workforce today expect the same technological efficiencies in their workplace as they have for the rest of their lives. Entice new physical therapists with a comprehensive tech stack that includes EHRs and wound care databases. This will make their jobs easier and allow them to focus on patient care instead of paperwork.
Eco-Healing: Advancing Wound Care with Sustainable Green Practices
Why? Because today’s consumers are actively seeking ways to be more earth-friendly. Business News Daily reports that 71% of consumers have chosen a product over the last six months for its sustainability credentials. And that means that even in wound care, providers should explore wound care products that offer eco-friendly options. Whether we call this quest eco-healing, green initiatives, or some other term, the goal is the integration of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices to reduce the ecological footprint and reduce waste while promoting effective wound healing.
Our industry focus to achieve that goal is on alternative wound care practices, sustainable products, better disposal, and reduced reliance on paper. This shift reflects a broader commitment in healthcare, where environmental responsibility is becoming a key consideration in treatment choices.
Why it Matters
The healthcare industry in the United States generates approximately 5.9 million tons of medical waste annually. While the specific waste contribution from the wound care sector isn’t explicitly reported by the industry yet, anyone who has worked in the profession knows it’s significant.
Consider the daily disposal of gauze, bandages, gloves, and other dressing materials at medical facilities. Adopting sustainable practices helps reduce this waste and lowers the environmental footprint of healthcare practices.
The healthcare industry has taken notice. Practice Greenhealth, a network organization dedicated to sustainable healthcare, reports that 60% of hospitals have made formal commitments to climate action. For example, this commitment is driving the adoption of biodegradable dressings like hydrocolloids and hydrofibers as well as recyclable packaging materials to minimize medical waste. There’s also growing interest in using historically proven natural and renewable resources like honey and aloe vera, which encourage healing while supporting environmental sustainability.
Prepare for The Future
As sustainability initiatives continue, the integration of green practices will grow. This helps healthcare providers meet regulatory requirements and appeals to environmentally conscious patients while providing quality care and outcomes. Steps to consider to join the movement include:
- Analyze your Waste Management Processes and Practices. For example, do you waste gauze or bandages by not accurately measuring the wound first?
- Implement Evidence-Based Care. Use clinically supported treatments to improve wound management, reduce waste, and enhance patient outcomes.
- Choose Sustainable Products. Select biodegradable and renewable materials like hydrofiber dressings and honey-based options when clinically appropriate.
- Enhance Staff Training. Offer training and ongoing support for sustainable practices to empower staff.
Connection to Net Health
Digital wound care technology has a leading role to play in the evolution of eco-healing. Leveraging digital tools enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of wound care management while adhering to sustainable practices. Digital documentation and assessment tools create efficiencies in wound measurement, so the right-size product is used the first time. Plus, they reduce the need for paper-based records, further cutting down on waste.
Moreover, advanced wound care technologies enable precise application and monitoring of biodegradable dressings and natural products, ensuring optimal healing conditions and minimizing resource wastage. Telemedicine and remote monitoring also play a part, as they reduce the need for frequent in-person visits, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint associated with transportation and resource use in healthcare.
A study out of Australia showed that the use of Net Health® Tissue Analytics, one of the leading AI-powered digital wound care platforms in the markets, helped reduce travel time and CO2 emissions for study participants. Rural wound care patients were able to see providers remotely instead of traveling – often far distances – to see their providers.
Teamwork in Healing: Collaborative Care Brings Experts Together for Comprehensive Wound Management
By working together, these teams can create personalized treatment plans that optimize healing and improve patient outcomes.
In a collaborative care model, communication and coordination are key. Each team member contributes their expertise, whether it’s a surgeon managing wound debridement for a patient with chronic venous leg ulcers, a nurse managing daily wound care, or a physical therapist aiding in mobility and rehabilitation.
Why it Matters
The collaborative, team approach to wound care is crucial for several reasons. First, it enhances the quality of care by ensuring that all healthcare providers are on the same page, reducing the risk of errors and omissions. Patients benefit from a well-rounded treatment plan that addresses not only the wound itself but also the underlying conditions and overall health. For example, patients who are experiencing stress-induced delays in wound healing might benefit from a mental health consultation.
Secondly, teamwork improves patient outcomes. An article in WoundSource reported that multi-disciplinary teams could lower amputations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers by 94%, reduce healing times, and lower recurrence rates, as well as reduce postoperative infection rates.
Moreover, collaborative care fosters a supportive environment for both patients and providers. For patients, knowing that a team of experts is working together to manage their care can be reassuring and boost their confidence in the treatment plan. For healthcare providers, collaboration reduces the burden on individual practitioners, ensures that factors that contribute or hinder wound healing are addressed, and promotes a more balanced workload, which can help prevent burnout.
Prepare for the Future
As healthcare continues to evolve, the importance of collaborative care in wound management will only grow. To prepare for this future, healthcare providers must embrace continuous education and training. Staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in wound care and collaboration techniques is essential for delivering the best possible patient outcomes.
Healthcare organizations should also foster a culture of teamwork and communication. Encouraging open dialogue and regular team meetings can enhance coordination and ensure that all team members are aligned in their treatment approach. Investing in team-building activities and professional development opportunities can further strengthen the collaborative spirit among healthcare providers.
Another key aspect of preparing for the future is leveraging technology. As digital health tools and platforms become more sophisticated, they will play an increasingly vital role in facilitating collaborative care.
Embracing collaborative care and leveraging advanced technologies like EHRs and digital wound assessment tools will position healthcare providers to deliver the best possible patient outcomes. Staying informed about the latest advancements, investing in continuous education, and fostering a culture of teamwork are essential steps toward achieving comprehensive and effective wound management.
Connection to Net Health
Here’s where specialty Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and digital wound technologies like Net Health® Wound Care and Tissue Analytics play a vital role. When specialty EHRs seamlessly integrate with the primary EHR, it ensures that all team members have access to up-to-date medical records, treatment plans, and progress notes. This transparency is essential for effective communication and coordination among healthcare providers.
Digital wound technologies and assessment apps enable more accurate wound measurement, documentation, and reporting. They allow providers to track progress in real-time and make timely adjustments to treatment plans. Digital wound technologies can also facilitate virtual consultations, connecting local wound care providers with specialists. By integrating EHRs and digital wound technologies into their practice, healthcare providers can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative care. These tools improve communication and coordination as well as help to better engage patients in their care.
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