Future-Proofing Your Organization with Virtual Physical Therapy

As digital care continues to grow in use and popularity, physical therapists are increasingly using technology to expand and improve care delivery. When used effectively, virtual tools can improve every aspect of the patient experience, but most notably, their power lies in their ability to improve communication, enhance access to care, and motivate and engage patients.

A good virtual physical therapy platform uses an integrated suite of digital tools to optimize the rehabilitation experience. These tools might include telehealth services, home exercise programs, remote therapeutic monitoring, virtual physical therapy apps with in-app messaging, and patient adherence tracking. Through these technologies, patients can interact with their physical therapists, receive personalized exercise routines, and have their progress monitored—all without the need for frequent in-person visits.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most important benefits of virtual tools for physical therapists.

How Virtual Physical Therapy Enables a More Effective Hybrid Care Model

Digital care allows physical therapists to administer a flexible combination of virtual and in-person sessions based on individual patient needs while optimizing resources. This hybrid care approach helps bridge the gap between patient and provider, enabling better care and contributing to higher patient satisfaction. After all, patients want a personal connection with their care provider—in fact, 85 percent of patients believe personalized care is important.¹ With hybrid care, the goal isn’t to provide less care, but more targeted care—and digital tools are perfectly suited to help make that happen.

Key Benefits of Virtual Physical Therapy

Improved Access to Care

One of the primary advantages of online physical therapy is its ability to transcend geographical limitations. Patients no longer need to travel to a physical therapy clinic; instead, they can engage in therapy sessions from the comfort of their homes. As a result, patients are less constrained by common barriers to care such as transportation difficulties, busy work schedules, and family obligations. Virtual care is also a game changer for rural patients, as digital tools can help address provider shortages in areas where there are fewer in-person services available to patients.

Better Patient Engagement and Satisfaction

One of the most effective ways to cultivate patient engagement is through effective digital home exercise programs, mobile apps, and online patient education.

Virtual physical therapy services like these help keep patients engaged by improving care continuity between in-person visits, boosting patient progress, and reducing the cost and time commitment of supervised therapy sessions for providers. Features like two-way messaging, progress tracking, and gamification help patients stay better connected to their care provider, motivated, and on track with their care plan, while mobile apps make it even easier for patients to fit rehab exercises into their busy schedule. Online patient education helps patients easily access the information they need to better understand their condition and make informed decisions about their care.

How MedBridge Helps with Virtual Physical Therapy

MedBridge Pathways is a groundbreaking solution in the field of virtual physical therapy. This powerful digital care platform, which is already in use by early adopters, is purpose-built to keep therapy at the forefront of MSK (musculoskeletal) care. By offering a personalized experience, incorporating gamification, and utilizing data-driven progress tracking, MedBridge Pathways aims to guide patients towards better health outcomes.

References

1. https://www.cvshealth.com/news/research-reports/health-care-insights-study/health-care-insights-study-2022.html