Your Guide to Emerging Healthcare Insights

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.  

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

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.  

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.  

Sources 
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.  

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.