Your Guide to Emerging Healthcare Insights

Imagine living 100 miles from the nearest hospital with a diabetic ulcer, or knowing someone struggling with intravenous drug use who has developed infected wounds. What if a loved one in a memory care facility had a chronic wound, making regular office visits difficult? Not long ago, these patients might have slipped through the cracks of the healthcare system. But today, they can receive critical care thanks to one of the most innovative trends our industry has seen over the last few years: mobile wound care clinics. 

In a presentation given earlier this year and available in Wound Source, Dr. Haresh Kane, CEO of Kane Wound Care in New Jersey, explains the origins of mobile wound care: “… It’s a concept that was started in the early 2000s with this inherent need to provide bedside wound care, high-quality wound care, to patients who were, in essence, locked into their locations due to various constraints.”  

Mobile wound care can refer to a van or motor coach outfitted with the necessary tools and equipment that travels to various settings. It can also define private practice providers who are “mobile” and journey to where their services are needed. 

Why it Matters  

Mobile wound care has the potential to help a wide range of patient populations. One particularly challenging but crucial demographic is the unhoused. 

This group faces significant barriers to healthcare, including chronic non-healing wounds worsened by trauma, drug use, and poor hygiene due to unstable living conditions. Traditional healthcare services often fail to reach them, making mobile wound care a lifeline. 

Rural populations also struggle with accessing wound care. The distance to healthcare facilities, limited transportation options, and a shortage of providers can prevent people with chronic wounds from getting the consistent care they need. Mobile wound services have stepped up to address these gaps, delivering advanced wound care directly to patients’ homes. Long-term care and senior living facilities are also rapidly adopting mobile care models to meet residents’ needs. 

Prepare for 2025 

Mobile wound care is revolutionizing healthcare delivery, especially for patients in overlooked settings. The impact is even greater when digital wound care platforms integrate into these mobile services. These solutions make it easier to track progress, document care, and coordinate efforts among healthcare providers, helping to ensure that patients receive quality care wherever they are. 

To truly unlock mobile wound care’s full potential, we need to address ongoing challenges like sustainability, consistent follow-up care, and seamless integration into the broader healthcare system. With the right support and continued innovation, mobile wound care can become a foundational element of healthcare for underserved populations, ensuring that everyone, no matter their situation, has access to the care they need. 

Connection to Net Health 

Net Health has been a leader in the mobile wound care movement, providing technology solutions that empower providers. Through advanced Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems and Net Health^® Tissue Analytics, we enable providers to achieve the steps necessary for a successful mobile wound care program, including: 

• Accurate wound measurement – AI-powered apps can measure wound dimensions and depth using smartphone cameras.
• Comprehensive documentation – These apps allow detailed documentation of wound care procedures, integrated directly into the EHR.
• Progress tracking – Real-time monitoring of wound healing helps providers adjust treatment plans as needed.
• Information sharing – Data can be easily shared with other healthcare team members, ensuring coordinated care.
• Data-driven decisions – AI and EHR integrations give clinicians the tools they need to make informed treatment decisions.

Mobile wound care will continue to grow as healthcare increasingly moves beyond the traditional hospital setting. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global wound care market is projected to reach over $2.9 billion by 2032, with mobile wound care technology playing a critical role in that growth. By investing in training, expanding digital health platforms, and building partnerships with local communities, providers can participate in this exciting trend, helping to make mobile wound care more accessible, effective, and resilient. 

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Mobile Wound Care: Understanding a Changing Paradigm

Fun and engaging treatment plans are much more likely to be followed. Technology does double duty as a motivation for patients and allows professionals to virtually be in more places at once. Wearables monitor health indicators when therapists can’t and notice trends over time. New tech-enabled therapy is an exciting change that means therapy can happen anywhere, from a hospital room to a patient’s home.  

Why It Matters 

As we already know, the physical therapy occupation is experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals but is on the cusp of an increased demand for services. While using technology, AI, and machine learning will save time for service providers, patients can also access technology that will support their healing, require less hands-on assistance from a physical therapist, and increase their motivation to continue treatment, even if their time between appointments increases.  

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote interventions and spurred innovation in every industry to enable virtual care and support. The technology continues to improve in accuracy and usability, creating a mainstay for medical care and easing the burden on overwhelmed facilities and practitioners.  

Wearables, augmented reality, and virtual reality can all be employed in physical therapy plans to improve the patient experience. Consider the feasibility of incorporating these into your practice for patients who can benefit from the precision and perpetual monitoring technology offers.  

1. Wearables. While Apple watches and rings are standard in the general population, they can be tapped to benefit those in physical therapy. For example, they can track movement and encourage patients to move more after surgery or injury. Other wearable technologies can monitor movement patterns, track biometrics like temperature and heart rate, and assess flexibility, balance, and strength. Wearable technology enables patients to monitor their progress, allows doctors to collect data over extended periods, gently reminds patients to follow through, and can include gamification of physical therapy compliance. More advanced wearable technology, such as skin sleeves, fall detection devices, and smart glasses, are constantly being introduced to the market, which is revolutionizing how compliance is measured and ensured in physical therapy.

2. Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality (AR) layers virtual elements over the real world around the user. Pokémon Go is a great example of AR. Remote physical therapy sessions can use AR to set tangible goals for patients, like reaching for a virtual object or moving around a virtual obstacle. AR can also project an image onto the patient to mimic correct movement patterns. Technology like this can help PTs “see” the bones and muscles during exercises to ensure the integrity of the movement. It can also give immediate feedback to a patient working independently between sessions with a therapist.

3. Virtual Reality. Virtual Reality (VR) gives the doctor and patient even more control over the simulation during therapy. Patients can be completely immersed in a new environment, creating novelty that distracts from pain and makes the therapy more engaging and likely to be maintained. Patients that can benefit from a relaxed setting can enter a calming natural forest. Others who thrive off high-adrenaline situations can fight monsters, drive cars, or climb challenging peaks. VR technology also captures detailed data about each session, giving PTs comprehensive information about the progress and challenges of each patient.

New technology makes remote monitoring and virtual physical therapy possible and creates novelty that encourages compliance with treatment plans and additional data for providers. An attractive perk for new providers is the ability to work from home, and technology like AR and VR will power the platforms that enable this work flexibility. AR and VR technology in healthcare is expected to increase by 27% in the next few years. Expect the technology to continue to develop and improve each year to make this possible.  

Prepare for the Future 

Consider incorporating new technologies into your practice. This can give patients greater autonomy over their health care and provide you with better data to prepare and adjust treatment plans. As the technology improves, it will become more user-friendly for older patients and widely available and accepted in the market.  

Connection to Net Health 

The more personalized the treatment plan and communications from healthcare providers, the more likely patients will feel empowered to make changes in their health and follow through. At Net Health, patient engagement via customized assessments, communication that addresses their needs and goals, and thoughtful treatment that considers their social, emotional, and physical needs are top priorities. Our Patient Engagement Suite enables you to give each patient the personalized attention they deserve while saving time on cumbersome documentation.  

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Augmented Reality in Physical Therapy
Augmented & Virtual Reality: Transforming Physical Therapy Outcomes

The wound care industry has seen tremendous technological advancements over the past few years. One innovation — Artificial Intelligence (AI) — is transforming the profession by giving us better data and insights to enhance everything from patient care to scheduling.  

What Is It?  

Over the past decade, the AI wound care market has grown significantly, with the market size projected to reach $16.4 billion by 2035. It’s no longer just an abstract technology concept; soon, virtually every wound care provider in the nation will be using AI in some capacity. 

Why It Matters 

As a wound care provider, think of the things you must do daily; the things that take time, can cause administrative headaches, and take you away from hands-on patient care. AI-powered wound care solutions matter because they are designed to handle those tasks and more, including staffing, scheduling, workflow, and marketing. Beyond this, AI can also automate supply orders, handle pre-certifications, and ensure appropriate billing. 

AI has multiple applications for wound care, including: 

1. Clinical Decision-Making: AI analyzes large datasets to identify trends and predict outcomes, allowing for more precise treatment plans. For instance, it can track wound healing progress to detect subtle changes and ensure timely interventions.
2. Demand Forecasting: AI quickly analyzes data to predict patient volume or the number of visits needed for effective results.
3. Reducing Cancellations: AI identifies patients likely to miss appointments by analyzing socioeconomic factors and visit patterns, allowing for timely reminders and scheduling adjustments.
4. Optimized Employee Scheduling: Predictive analytics match patient needs with staff skills, ensuring efficient scheduling and care delivery.

Because of all the efficiencies it brings, AI is also predicted to help manage costs. According to McKinsey, “broader adoption of AI could lead to savings between 5% and 10% in healthcare spending, or roughly $200 billion to $360 billion a year.”  

Prepare for 2025 

While there are tremendous opportunities for optimizing the benefits of AI today, more is on the horizon. For example, providers will soon be able to enhance face-to-face interactions by using ambient conversation capture to document patient visits and give providers more time with patients. What can you do to prepare for what’s on the horizon? A lot, starting with educating yourself about what AI is, how it works, and the concerns that must be addressed. Read journals, talk to colleagues at facilities who are already using AI, and reach out to your vendor partners. Consider tapping a colleague comfortable with technology to become your AI mentor. If you have an in-house technology team, make sure to get their feedback and insights.  

Connection to Net Health 

Net Health is one of the first wound care technology firms to embrace AI. Net Health® Tissue Analytics is powered by AI and is one of the more widely used advanced wound assessment platforms. It incorporates Net Health’s wound care database, one of the largest in the world, with sophisticated algorithms and imaging technologies to evaluate wound characteristics accurately. Through the analysis and data provided, clinicians capture wound images, automatically measure wound dimensions, and assess tissue composition.  

There are still issues to tackle. There are legitimate concerns about AI that must be addressed. However, the promise far outweighs the peril. Ultimately, AI will enhance patient care by providing timely, accurate insights and interventions, making it a valuable tool for the future of wound care. By reducing the burden on healthcare providers and improving patient outcomes, AI represents a significant advancement in the field of wound care.

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Roots Analysis: AI in the Wound Care Market

Pain is infinitely subjective. The closest we can come to understanding another person’s pain is a one-to-ten scale, which varies widely based on the person’s biological makeup and past experiences. Those experiencing chronic pain may feel helpless in the face of minute-by-minute painful sensations. With an opioid crisis sweeping the nation and insurance scrutiny increasing, physical therapists need a new perspective on pain and what it means to reduce pain.  

Why It Matters

In response to the National Institutes of Health Federal Pain Research Strategy’s call for new pain management models for physical therapy, the Pain Recovery and Integrative Systems Model (PRISM) was introduced in 2023. The authors describe this new approach as “a salutogenic, integrative, process-based cognitive-behavioral model to guide physical therapists in managing the multidimensional nature of pain.” Until now, the biopsychosocial (BPS) model has been the primary way to understand a patient’s pain, but it lacks direction specifically for clinical decision-making for physical therapists. It also often under- or over-emphasizes specific factors that influence how a patient feels and responds to pain. However, it is important to note that the PRISM model may also have limitations, such as the need for extensive training and potential challenges in implementation in certain healthcare settings.  

The Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy (AOPT) favors this new model because it acknowledges that pain is multi-dimensional and can be influenced by past experiences, biological factors, psychological and social situations, and lifestyle constructs. PRISM is a holistic approach to understanding and treating pain where the goal is to lessen reliance on medication that has led to an opioid crisis in many areas of the country. Physical therapists frequently treat patients with chronic pain, and the expectation that the pain will be eliminated is unrealistic and creates dissatisfaction and a lack of follow-through with physical therapy programs that can make improvements in their quality of life. A new approach is needed to recenter expectations and redefine how to live with chronic pain.  

As stated in the definition, there are three main areas of focus for the PRISM model: 

• Salutogenic. This is the belief that people have the innate ability to create and maintain wellness, even in the face of adversity. Health is not a binary thing but a continuum in which people are always moving between extremes of health and the absence of health. More than just pathology is at play here. Coping mechanisms also play a large part in the patient’s health and well-being. Even those experiencing pain can be healthy by being trained to see themselves and the world around them as manageable and meaningful.

• Integrative. Pain is multidimensional and can be affected by physical, social, and psychological factors. Providers will need to assess patients’ physical symptoms and willingness and motivation to change. Participation in therapy depends on this mindset and the patient’s outlook on possible change and improvement. Motivation and outlook wax and wane, and harnessing the power of mindset makes a defining difference in pain management outcomes.

• Process-based cognitive-behavioral. Pain recovery and healing are journeys with no defined endpoint. The goal is to equip patients with the tools and techniques they need to be active, empowered participants in their recovery. This may include physical movement exercises, cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation or meditation, or lifestyle changes.

This is a significant shift from past treatment plans where a specific injury receives a particular treatment for a set time. Instead, this person-centered approach opens the possibilities for treatment beyond traditional physical therapy and pain medication. Therapists will need to view pain as a lived experience that is unique to every individual. Instead of following a regimented plan, the therapist and patient are a team that sets goals, develops a sense of curiosity about the pain, seeks alternative solutions, and defines success on a personal level. Rather than aiming to return a body part to pre-injury status, the goal is to reduce pain sensations, learn methods for managing pain without professional intervention, and develop a set of effective techniques for the individual.  

Whole-person approaches such as PRISM will reduce medical expenses, decrease reliance on pain medication, and improve emotional well-being and self-efficacy during and after treatment. Those with chronic pain need an alternative such as this to continue to live healthy lives where they can cope with obstacles, whether they are physical, psychological, or social.  

Prepare for 2025 

Learn more about the PRISM model and how to incorporate these holistic methods into your practice with chronic pain patients. Additional training may be necessary to expand the scope of what your practice offers and can include alternative therapies such as CBT or relaxation methods.  

Connection to Net Health  

We are in the midst of a transition to value-based care, and in that model, physical therapists will be required to collaborate with a wide variety of healthcare providers to prove that their interventions are effective and cost-conscious. As you work toward this new model, adopting a corresponding new perspective on treating chronic pain will improve outcomes and reduce the costs of prescription pain medication.  

The same technology that powers virtual reality and makes it so lifelike can now make physical therapy more accurate, efficient, and fun. Recent advancements in markerless motion capture technology make it more accessible than ever before. Physical therapists will have more providers to choose from and cost-effective options for bringing this technology to their own practices.  

Why it Matters

Markered motion capture technology has been a standard method for collecting accurate data about body movement in physical therapy, sports medicine, and radiology. Physicians use reflectors, light diodes, or infrared markers on key anatomical landmarks. Cameras track these markers to collect data about the mechanics of movement. They can sense muscle activation, body structure, joint integrity, and gait concerns.  

The quality of data collected from motion capture technology greatly improves physical therapy treatment planning, evaluation, and decision-making. However, traditional marker use is time-consuming and expensive, can only be done in specific therapeutic settings, and can lead to unnatural movements that produce inaccurate information. New markerless methods are creating new efficiencies and data integrity for physical therapists. Machine learning and visual computing systems are revolutionizing how movement can be captured and evaluated.  

The same technology that powers surveillance and VR gaming systems can also capture data about muscles, joints, and bones. This technology has rapidly advanced thanks to AI and machine learning. Recent studies indicate markerless systems are as effective at capturing accurate data as suits or elaborate marker systems. Other advantages include portability, decreased cost, and quicker testing and results when patients do not need to wear sensors. 

Some of the systems now available for markerless motion capture (MMC) technology include: 

• Single-camera 3D systems. Portable and affordable options for many practices.
• Multiple-camera systems. While extremely accurate, these systems require setup, calibration, and a significant monetary and space investment.
• Video playback. Video can be captured on a cell phone, but the therapist must evaluate and measure the images.
• Microsoft Kinect. With MMCs, this technology uses thousands of data points to evaluate movement and process the information to measure balance, range of motion, and posture.
• 4D capture. The fourth dimension is capturing differences over time. The technology tracks changes and improvements throughout therapy by comparing sessions over the course of treatment.

Physical therapists know how essential it is to be able to evaluate the movement patterns of patients accurately. The gold standard for this process has been time — and labor-intensive motion capture via markers. The new technology will provide benefits to both the therapist and the patient: 

• Eliminating markers and an extensive setup process makes the evaluation much more comfortable for patients, particularly those with mobility issues.
• There is already a labor shortage in physical therapy and a high demand for services. Quick and efficient markerless technology decreases the time it takes to perform a thorough evaluation, and machine learning makes data processing fast and accurate.
• Markers and movement suits can be cumbersome and limit movements, leading to inaccurate results.
• Detailed data and analysis can empower better and more personalized treatment plans.
• The portability of these systems means this powerful data will be accessible to more physical therapy practices and patients.
• Eliminating the placement of dozens or hundreds of markers reduces the chance of errors and inaccurate data collection.

Prepare for 2025 

Evaluate what motion capture technology you currently use and where upgrades can save you time and provide a better experience for your patients. Many companies now produce MMC technology and can train your staff to use the system expertly and efficiently to improve monitoring and personalize treatment plans.  

Connection to Net Health 

MMC is the perfect complement to your advanced EHR. With integrations, send data directly to your internal system and tap into machine learning and analytics to synthesize information from every source. This will support your treatment planning and make personalization easier than ever before.  

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Markerless motion capture estimates of lower extremity kinematics and kinetics are comparable to marker-based across 8 movements

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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. 

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.