You’d be hard-pressed to find an aspect of healthcare that hasn’t been affected by technological advancements at this point. They’ve changed so many elements of the industry and those connected to it. From how patients interact with their physicians to how medical devices are manufactured, new developments are constantly leading to changes.
The field of physical therapy is no exception. It has seen its fair share of technology-driven changes. Today’s physical therapists and their patients have numerous new tools at their disposal. Ongoing developments in the field are also bringing about an ever-growing range of new PT career opportunities. Take a look at some of the areas where tech meets physical therapy and some of the new career paths it’s creating for physical therapists.
Improved Diagnoses and Treatments
For one, the latest advancements in PT technology have improved diagnoses and treatments in the field. In the past, diagnosing patients and developing treatment plans largely depended on manual processes and PTs’ observations. That’s still a significant component of the industry, but new tools have led to greater precision and effectiveness.
Wearable sensors and motion capture systems are allowing physical therapists to clearly track people’s gaits, joint angles and movements, balance, posture, and other factors for more in-depth diagnoses and more personalized treatments. Electromyography and force plates are now being used in physical therapy as well. They can show how people’s muscles and nerves work and how much force patients apply during movements. All of those tools can offer insights into issues and treatments that might otherwise be overlooked.
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Robotics and artificial intelligence are playing significant roles in physical therapy too. Assistive devices are becoming more mainstream in rehabilitation. They’re helpful in many cases, but they’re particularly useful for patients with spinal cord injuries and those who are recovering from strokes. AI platforms can more quickly and accurately analyze patients’ movements, recommend treatment options, provide recovery projections along with many other tasks. They’re proving to be valuable supplements for physical therapists and their patients.
New Career Opportunities for Physical Therapists
With all the technological advancements coming into play in physical therapy, several new career opportunities are also arising. There’s a growing demand for telehealth coordinators who specialize in PT. Product developers are also becoming increasingly important. This field combines specialized knowledge in medicine and physical therapy with that of electronics, mechanics, AI, and other relevant disciplines.
New technology has brought about a need for rehabilitation technology specialists as well. They focus on helping physical therapists integrate advanced technology into their practices and keep up with future advancements. Of course, with each new tool or piece of equipment that comes into play, professionals need to be available to help PTs learn how to make the most of them. Virtual and augmented reality rehabilitation therapists and program developers are in increasingly high demand too.
On a more basic note, the industry needs more physical therapists who are trained and qualified in remote therapy. It also needs more remote monitoring specialists. Mobile app and software development are also potential career paths that stem from technological advancements in physical therapy. People in this field create platforms to make hardware-based technology work and help patients safely and effectively use PT tools and devices on their own.
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Making Waves in the Field of Physical Therapy
Numerous technological advancements have made their way into physical therapy. They’re helping PTs provide more precise patient care and fostering more effective recoveries. Those new developments are also bringing new career opportunities to the field. From teaching PTs how to bring the benefits of new technology to their patients to empowering patients to make the most of those developments, the possibilities here are constantly growing.
