In our last blog we set out to examine whether AI would one day take over the role of physiotherapy. Here at Pro-Active we were very much relieved to find that…
‘Physiotherapy still has a long future ahead, despite continually advancing technologies in the world.
AI is very unlikely to replace physiotherapists – but it will almost certainly change how we work’ Chat GPT
Following on from this we wanted to find out more about what our profession might look like in future and how AI and advancing technologies might help shape our clinical practice. Most importantly how can we use these technologies to help shape a future proof Pro-Active clinic and provide the best care for our patients. Change is happening whether we like it or not, so we need to embrace it and run with it rather than run the risk of being left behind.
‘Technology is not there to replace physio it is there to assist.’
According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, even if all the physiotherapists in the UK were recruited there would still be far too much work for us all. Technology is there to help us (not hinder us) to work more efficiently allowing us to focus on the priorities and most tasking complex cases. It can enable us to ‘enhance outcomes and improve access to care.’
COVID 19 forced us all to think outside of the box. It introduced even the elderly and non-techy amongst us to digital wards, virtual appointments and telephone follow ups, digital notes and consent forms. Physiotherapy clinics like ours had to adapt quickly to survive. As a result of this more and more patients of all ages are now very comfortable (often preferring) to use online booking and triage systems and happy to order prescriptions online. These services are now commonplace on most websites and within many physiotherapy outpatient departments.
Our patients here at Pro-Active often comment how easy it is to book an appointment on our website. We’ve recently made further updates to make it even easier for you to book and reschedule appointments with any of our specialist physios. We’ll send you regular automated reminders via e-mail and text messages to make sure you never miss an appointment. You may also have noticed that we now use Heidi AI notes in our day to day practice. Heidi is a fantastic tool that allows us to take clinical notes whilst giving you the time and attention that you deserve. It is fully licensed for the NHS and used in many GP practices. Heidi fully complies with UK GDPR and data protection laws and audio recordings are temporary, securely processed and never stored long term. If you have any questions about Heidi please feel free to ask. We find it helps free up our time to focus more on you and less on typing.
‘Physiotherapy is poised for an exciting future – combining clinical excellence with innovation to transform lives.’ Chat GPT
As time goes on, we should expect to see and embrace more and more digital health tools like these within the physiotherapy world. Here at Pro-Active we have built our clinic on a foundation of innovation, patient centred care and a relentless commitment to clinical excellence. Our mission is to redefine the standards of physiotherapy, ensuring every patient receives cutting-edge, evidence-based care tailored to their unique needs. Part of this mission means that we are keen to adopt new technologies and help lead the way in the digital revolution of health care. We are excited about what the future holds for us which might one day include some of the following… digital assessment and treatment tools, data driven care, wearable technologies-remote monitoring to track patient progress and provide real time feedback, AI enhanced exercise plans, voice activated note keeping, preventative health apps or AI guided advice, and digital dashboards that allow monitoring for concerns and complications, keeping you safer at home. The future is bright for the world of physiotherapy it might just look a little different to the physiotherapy we once knew.
However, if like many of us you find this all very daunting, sick of chat bots and self-checkouts and just want to speak to a real live person we are always here to help. You can call us Monday to Friday 01386 298058 and speak to any of our specialist team. We can’t wait to hear from you.
‘No matter how technology evolves, the human touch remains at the heart of physiotherapy.’ Chat GPT
