June 29, 2023

Tools Physical Therapists Use for Effective Treatment and Patient Care

 

Physical therapists have various innovative and cutting-edge tools to help them provide effective treatment and care to their patients. However, choosing the right PT tools for your private practice can be pretty overwhelming (especially when so many options are available!). Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! As a company started by physical therapists for physical therapists, we're here to share the must-have tools.

Who doesn't love a good list? We certainly do! Check out the top tools Physical Therapists use for effective treatment and patient care:

1. Patient-driven mobile app

Insider Intelligence says on average, American adults spend over 4 hours on mobile, with around 88% of their time in apps. The message is clear: relying on anything less than a top-notch communication app is a lost cause for businesses and healthcare providers.

What are some mobile apps for PTs to consider?


PtEverywhere: It’s in the name! It’s physical therapy, no matter the device. This patient management platform is mobile-friendly, freeing PTs from their desktops and empowering clients with the flexibility to book appointments everywhere! (You can learn more about The PtEverywhere app!) 

MedBridge GO: MedBridge GO allows accessible communication between patients and physical therapists. Additionally, the app offers a bonus feature that utilizes mirror neuron learning techniques to help guide patients' behaviors and foster healthy progress.

Exer Health - Patient Mobile App: To PTs who want to monitor a patient's recovery progress remotely, this tracking app has improved patient adherence to their PT program. With Exer Health, patients can conduct at-home motion assessments conveniently using their smartphones. 

Pt Pal Pro: This app seamlessly transfers data by integrating with a practice's electronic health record system (EHR). Its vital features include patient analytics tracking their activity adherence and emotional & pain levels during exercises. Best part? It’s free! 

PhysiApp: With PhysiApp, physical therapists can assign customized exercise programs to their patients. The patients can simply watch video demonstrations of their exercises and track their progress. It's interactive, and both parties can communicate and provide feedback quickly!

2. Automated messaging

According to NCBI, 73% of patients miss at least one appointment during their physical therapy care. This impacts their health and your private practice's financial losses due to no-shows.

Automated messaging is crucial for appointment confirmations. With automated messaging set up in your private practice, patients can arrive on time (or even 15 mins early if they feel keen 😉).

Benefits of psychical therapists using automated messaging

Improved Communication: Automated messaging lets PTs stay in touch easily and conveniently with their patients. Examples include reminders, follow-up messages, and check-ins. This helps create better communication and makes patients feel “seen” throughout their treatment.  📱

Time and Resource Efficiency: Automated messaging reduces PTs' workloads by freeing them from time-consuming administrative tasks. They can instead configure periodic, automated messages, saving valuable resources. This empowers them to focus on more critical aspects of their profession, like delivering quality patient care. Automated messages increase patient engagement and boost booking rates. In fact, with automatic reminders, non-attendance drops by 29%.

Cost-Effectiveness: Automated messaging offers a cost-effective solution for physical therapists looking to support more patients. This technology can also efficiently manage patient caseloads. By implementing automated messaging, PTs can extend their reach and provide ongoing patient support quickly.

3.  HIPAA-compliant EMR

As a PT, one of the things they drum into you from day one is how important patient privacy is. It's a lesson that sticks with you long past your education days and is vital to your private practice.

That’s why physical therapists usually go for EMRs that are HIPAA-compliant since these systems already have security features and audit trails included. This is great for ensuring patients' privacy and maintaining the confidential nature of sensitive health information.

 What key features make up a robust and HIPAA-compliant EMR system?

Physical therapists, like other healthcare providers, need a robust and HIPAA-compliant EMR system, but they also require specific features tailored to their unique needs. Here are some key elements that are particularly important for physical therapists:

  • Customized Templates: The EMR should have a fantastic feature: specialized documentation templates explicitly tailored for physical therapy. Imagine having templates for evaluations, progress notes, flow sheets, exercise routines, and more! Simplify your workflow and elevate your practice.

  • Physical Therapy-Specific Workflow: For PTs, having a strong EMR is essential to support their unique workflow. A personalized EMR system ensures smooth and efficient operation, managing schedules, billing, referrals, and other physical therapy administrative tasks.

  • Mobile Access: As a physical therapist, your constant on-the-go lifestyle can significantly benefit from accessing the EMR on a mobile device or tablet.  So you can stay connected in the clinic or when making house calls!


In addition to the physical therapy-specific features, the EMR must also include components for HIPAA compliance. Be on the lookout for data security, access controls, audit trails, and more. 

BTW: PtEverywhere, was designed specifically for physical therapy and simplifies the charting process. With its user-friendly interface, the tool helps with patient documentation while ensuring that all sensitive information is stored securely and complies with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations. (Try it out for yourself!) 


To run an efficient PT practice, you need efficient tools 

Physical Therapists need the best tools to provide efficient treatment and patient engagement. From patient-driven mobile apps (like PtEverywhere) that enhance communication to automated messaging systems, these tools help PTs focus on what matters most - their patients.

Lastly, HIPAA-compliant EMR systems (again, like PtEverywhere!can make sure sensitive patient information stays confidential and secure.

While the sheer number of options can seem overwhelming, finding the proper set of tools tailored to your needs can significantly enhance your practice's efficiency and effectiveness. PtEverywhere is a game changer in the Physical Therapy Practice Management software system. It has a mobile app, provides automated messages, and has a HIPAA-compliant EMR. It truly is an all-one solution for PTs! 


To learn more about PT tools for 2023, book a demo or check out our media center for more therapy tips and tricks!