The physical therapy profession, which includes both physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs), is experiencing a period of unprecedented challenges. Recent data highlights the trends: not only has the sector seen the departure of 15,000 PTs, or 11% of the existing workforce, between 2021 and 2022, but there has also been a steady annual decrease in 5% of the number of applicants to PT programs in the last period. three to four years. These developments demonstrate an urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions. The factors contributing to this decline are complex: burnout, a desire for a better work-life balance, and a shift toward careers requiring less physical and emotional stress. As we move forward to 2024, the imperative to adapt and innovate within the sector, fully recognizing the contributions and needs of PTs and APTs, has never been more crucial.
Fighting burnout with innovative care models
Burnout contributes significantly to the workforce challenge, with traditional models of care requiring numerous in-person sessions that exacerbate stress and job dissatisfaction. It is essential to go beyond simply increasing workload efficiency. It is crucial to transform the model of care to improve the working conditions and job satisfaction of physiotherapists, as this directly influences the quality of patient care.
Introducing Hybrid Care Models
Hybrid care models represent a vital innovation, merging traditional in-person treatments with digital health solutions for a more flexible approach. This innovation aims to alleviate pressure on PTs by:
- Reduce administrative burdens and allow physiotherapists to focus on patient care
- Supporting flexible working arrangements to improve work-life balance and combat burnout
- Enable remote patient monitoring, optimize patient outcomes while efficiently managing workloads
Such models do not advocate that physiotherapists simultaneously increase their patient numbers, but rather manage them more effectively, particularly those who require direct intervention. Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) appears to be a key player in this scenario. RTM bridges the gap between clinic and home, providing physical therapists with detailed information on patients’ progress. This facilitates timely interventions without extending direct contact hours, potentially preventing burnout.
Advances in digital health – Mobility as a health indicator
Above all, digital health Advances now enable nuanced mobility monitoring, providing insights into overall health well beyond basic activity tracking. Analysis of mobility in real-world conditions reveals subtle changes that can guide more personalized and proactive care strategies. This capability allows physiotherapists to act precisely when necessary, thereby improving outcomes and supporting their workload.
Additionally, technology promotes a more engaging experience for patients. Engaged patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes and a more rewarding professional environment for physical therapists, who witness the tangible benefits of their work.
Economic pressures and technological solutions
The healthcare industry, facing increasing economic pressures, is finding a viable solution in technologies that improve clinical operations and patient management. These technologies, particularly with the advent of Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM), offer significant economic advantages. By enabling reimbursement for nonphysiological data monitoring, RTM expands the scope of billable services beyond traditional physician-delivered care, directly impacting the financial well-being of healthcare providers. Adopting such innovations not only improves operational efficiency, but also represents a strategic approach to addressing financial challenges, ultimately supporting the sustainability and growth of healthcare services.
Leveraging data to improve patient care
Using technology to access real-time data on patient progress is revolutionizing the delivery of physical therapy care. Tools that provide insight into patient mobility and progress enable physical therapists to develop informed care plans, quickly adjust interventions, and focus on those in immediate need. This approach not only improves the efficiency of care delivery, but also significantly improves patient outcomes.
Towards a sustainable future
The future growth and sustainability of the physiotherapy profession depends on the acceptance of change. By adopting technology-driven care models that streamline operations, improve patient engagement, and provide actionable insights, we can address the challenges of a shrinking workforce and therapist burnout .
A collaborative effort between healthcare providers, technology innovators, and educational organizations to reinvent physical therapy service delivery is imperative. Such collective action promises to establish a healthcare ecosystem that supports the well-being of patients and therapists, thereby ensuring the enduring vitality of the physiotherapy profession as an indispensable part of healthcare services.
About Patrick Tarnowski, PT, MBA, Chief Commercial Officer, OneStep
As sales director at A step, Pat is responsible for the company’s entry into the US market through strategic partnerships with suppliers. His deep healthcare experience as a leader in health plans, health systems, medical devices, startups and digital care delivery support enables OneStep’s growth and scale. As an entrepreneur, Pat has successfully launched and grown care delivery businesses, digital solutions focused on health and wellness, disease management and virtual care and worked with providers to achieve success in value-based payment models. He received his degree in physical therapy from Boston University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. A lifelong learner, Pat has also held several academic positions and is a grant reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s SBIR Seed Fund and served as an industry mentor for their I-Corp Innovation Program. He has been the principal investigator of numerous clinical studies and serves as vice chair of professional practice for the Minnesota Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association and the Steering Committee of the Minnesota Cancer Alliance.
