Dana and Alex explore the Therapy Value Quotient, an objective framework for measuring clinical impact that goes beyond subjective reasoning. Learn a practical algorithm that factors in functional improvement, patient complexity, care intensity, and cost—plus why establishing clear therapy prognoses is essential for professional survival.

Key topics covered in this episode: objective clinical measures, therapy prognosis, value-based care, capitation, long-term patient relationships, and preparing for AI-driven healthcare analytics.

Essential listening for therapists ready to prove their value in measurable ways while maintaining meaningful patient connections.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive resources that grow with every episode!

Check out our friend and colleague's course on AI for PTs (and so many others!) by Cody Lee, PT, DPT

Sponsored by Saatva Mattresses: use this link for 15% off Saatva mattresses or tell anyone at a Saatva show room that Dana Strauss, PT, DPT sent you. This offer is stackable with any other active offer Saatva offers at the time!

Future Proof PT helps physical therapists navigate the changing healthcare landscape and build sustainable, value-driven practices.

Physical Therapists, listen up! "Make America Healthy Again," or MAHA, is a chance to improve the professional identify of PTs regardless of politics! It's a chance to embrace and highlight the profession and its doctoral status and to position its reputation as long-term partners in patients'/the population's MSK health as opposed to merely providers of episodic care.

PTs can and should be the "quarterbacks" of MSK care. That will mean eliminating some of our vocabulary and leaning into other expressions.

MAHA isn't just a chance for the profession's perception. It's an opportunity to attract well-deserved reimbursement improvements.

Here's what you'll learn when you tune in:

• How government healthcare initiatives create opportunities for physical therapists to advance the profession, and why you should embrace the positive of new positioning, regardless of political affiliations or biases
• Why PTs should position themselves as "quarterbacks" of musculoskeletal care
• The importance of using doctoral titles, professional language, and of obtaining your tDPT if you graduated PT school prior to the DPT (like Dana!)
• Why you should remove "discharge" from your clinical vocabulary
• Potential challenges for the profession: reimbursement, resource limitations, and outcomes tracking

We make the case for PTs to step up as lifetime partners in MSK health and ditch the notion of being solely providers of episodic care. And we encourage you to embrace the top of scope positioning of PTs and argue it's a "must-do" to secure a future we are all proud of.

Enjoy the conversation and the practical insights on how to position yourself, your practice, and your profession for future success in a changing healthcare landscape.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive resources that grow with every episode!

Check out our friend and colleague's course on AI for PTs (and so many others!) by Cody Lee, PT, DPT

Sponsored by Saatva Mattresses: use this link for 15% off Saatva mattresses or tell anyone at a Saatva show room that Dana Strauss, PT, DPT sent you. This offer is stackable with any other active offer Saatva offers at the time!

Ready to revolutionize your PT career? Think of it like Wayne Gretzky's famous quote - skate to where the puck is going, not where it's been. In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, having a game plan for your career as part of the PT profession (clinical, non-clinical, or both) isn't just nice-to-have, it's essential for survival.

The signs of change are everywhere if you know where to look. Want the inside scoop? Follow the money and the power players. Watch what policymakers and their advisors are saying and doing, and keep your eyes on where big investors are placing their bets - that's key to reading the proverbial tea leaves.

Let's talk about our profession's journey. Physical therapy has come a long way in fighting for autonomy - you know, breaking free from needing that doctor's prescription to treat patients. But while we were focused on that battle, we might have missed some existential challenges.

Take the fee-for-service system, for instance. It's like a bad relationship - it's not just hurting us, it's impacting how other providers coordinate and collaborate with us. making sure patients get to us. Even worse? It's pushed us to focus on visit counts rather than what really matters: individualized treatment plans, proper dosing, and patient outcomes.

This affects how everyone sees PT - from insurance companies to doctors to patients themselves. Many view therapy as this huge time commitment, rather than seeing its true value. Not great, right?

In this episode, Alex and I are talking about this. We're tackling Remote Therapeutic Monitoring (RTM) and its connection to the recently update Innovation Center Strategy - stuff that could completely reshape your practice. This isn't just about boring billing codes - it's about positioning yourself at the cutting edge of healthcare.

We are sharing helpful insights about healthcare tech, new payment models, and what it means for your future. Plus, you won't want to miss Alex's brilliant "train model" that perfectly shows how digital and in-person care can work together seamlessly.

We're also sharing what the CMS Innovation Center leadership said in their blog and in recent public appearances about their vision for healthcare's future. Every week, we update our Resources Database, which is available to all newsletter subscribers. Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here! It's free and we send valuable resources right to your inbox every week.

Chapters

00:00 The Future of Care Delivery Models

06:00 The Importance of Quality Data in EMR Systems

08:35 Navigating Regulatory Changes in Healthcare

10:46 The Impact of Technology on Patient Care

13:41 Conclusion and Future Directions

18:37 Innovative Models in Medicare Services

20:42 The Role of Data in Patient Care

22:33 Future of Therapy: Embracing Change

25:43 Case Studies: Remote Therapeutic Monitoring

28:14 Valuing Preventive Care in Therapy

32:08 Understanding Episode Groupers

36:10 Collaboration Across Disciplines

40:13 Advocacy and Access to Care

In Episode 11 of Future-Proof PT, we're joined again by Cody Lee, a dynamic early-career PT who's revolutionizing physical therapy practice in Alabama.

Get ready for a thought-provoking journey into the intersection of traditional PT and cutting-edge technology. Cody shares his firsthand experience fighting for direct access at the state level while pioneering AI integration in clinical settings - two movements that are reshaping our profession's future.

We tackle burning questions about autonomous practice and , dive deep into why functional measurements matter in assessing patient risk, and explore how PTs can leverage artificial intelligence without losing the human touch that makes our profession special. Whether you're a clinical practitioner or working away from the bedside, this episode offers fresh perspectives on where physical therapy is headed.

Don't miss Cody's game-changing insights and a sneak peek at his upcoming AI for PT course that promises to transform how we approach patient care. This is more than just another healthcare tech discussion - it's a roadmap for staying relevant in an evolving healthcare landscape!

Get his free download of 10 High Impact AI Prompts for PTs here!

Check out his course AI for PTs here!

Some Key Takeaways from the Episode:

1. Direct access and primary care PT may not be one and the same. Professional vs. Personal scope of practice are important to distinguish.

2. AI integration in physical therapy practice can enhance evidence-based decision-making while maintaining personal touch

3. The APTA's role should extend beyond clinical practice support to include non-clinical professionals shaping healthcare itself

4. Risk stratification models should incorporate functional metrics for comprehensive patient care

5. Professional growth opportunities exist beyond traditional clinical roles in physical therapy

6. Technology adoption in practice can streamline documentation and improve treatment planning

7. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential for advancing the profession

8. Continuing education in emerging technologies is crucial for career advancement

9. The DPT role in autonomous practice continues to evolve with changing healthcare landscapes

10. Prevention-focused care models are gaining importance in physical therapy practice

11. Understanding healthcare policy impacts clinical and non-clinical practice decisions

12. Professional advocacy requires engagement at multiple levels

13. Evidence-based practice can be enhanced through technological tools and resources

14. The future of PT includes diverse career paths beyond traditional clinical settings, and we should support that

15. Healthcare reimbursement models are evolving to include preventative care

16. PTs can influence professional development through technology adoption

17. Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for long-term career success in PT

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Recap of Previous Episode

04:05 Advocacy and Direct Access in Physical Therapy

06:11 Challenges and Perspectives on Direct Access

09:02 The Role of Education and Certification in Direct Access

11:14 AI in Clinical Practice: Enhancing Decision-Making

17:41 The Future of AI and Data Utilization in Physical Therapy

25:56 Optimizing Workforce Encounters

26:30 Standardizing Data for Improvement

28:31 Building Feedback Loops in Clinics

29:54 Utilizing EMR Data for Risk Assessment

30:36 The Importance of Functional Status in Risk Stratification

32:56 Advocating for Inclusion in APTA

34:52 The Role of Non-Clinical Professionals

36:00 Looking Ahead: Future of Physical Therapy

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast, and thank you for being a part of this community!

For Episode Nine, we welcome back guest Ben Galin, PT, DPT, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of physical and occupational therapy, using the role of PTAs and COTAs as a springboard for broader industry discussion.

The conversation begins with examining how PTAs and COTAs are utilized in various healthcare settings, challenging the cookie-cutter approach to their deployment. The discussion reveals that PTAs often demonstrate exceptional career mobility, with many advancing into management positions and finding success in digital health platforms.

A significant portion delves into critical policy issues affecting the profession, including:

• The need to reclassify PTs as "practitioners" alongside other healthcare providers like dietitians and behavioral health specialists
• The importance of shifting focus from fighting Medicare cuts to pursuing more achievable policy goals that could fundamentally change the profession
• The complexities of state-level versus federal-level advocacy, highlighting how state-level changes can often be achieved more quickly and effectively
• The hosts and guest examine how digital health is reshaping traditional supervision ratios and practice models, while also addressing the profession's ongoing challenges with direct access and professional autonomy.

This episode provides valuable insights for physical therapy professionals at all levels, offering a strategic vision for advancing the profession through targeted policy changes and adaptation to emerging healthcare delivery models.

Chapters

00:00 The Role of PTAs and COTAs in Therapy

06:08 Challenges in Career Advancement for Assistants

10:42 Operational Models and Supervision in Therapy

16:11 State Regulations and the Future of PTAs

22:19 Advocacy and Legislative Challenges in Healthcare

27:59 Understanding the Role of Professional Associations

29:50 Navigating Changes in Healthcare Policy

32:26 The Importance of Practitioner Recognition

35:22 Addressing Friction Points in Healthcare

39:04 The Need for Change in Perception and Policy

41:56 Identifying Actionable Wins for the Profession

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive an exclusive resources page that we add to every week!

In Episode 8 of Future Proof PT, hosts Dana Strauss and Alex Bendersky engage in a deep discussion with veteran physical therapist Ben Galin about the critical evolution of physical therapy practice. With 25 years of diverse clinical experience, Galin shares valuable insights on the transition from traditional fee-for-service models to value-based care.

The conversation delves into several key themes:

• The "51% substance" principle - emphasizing the importance of delivering meaningful, evidence-based care while acknowledging the role of patient engagement techniques
• How this ratio often becomes distorted in traditional fee-for-service models, potentially leading to only 25% substantive care
• The challenge of maintaining clinical value while meeting patient expectations
• Treatment modalities and their true value
• Critical examination of common interventions like cupping, needling, and manual therapy
• The role of placebo effects and their ethical implementation in treatment
• Breaking away from historical expectations of passive modalities
• Digital health transformation
• Benefits of removing non-substantive elements in virtual care delivery
• Focus on evidence-based therapeutic exercise and education
• Collaborative care model
• Horizontal integration with other healthcare providers
• Importance of timely referrals and professional networks
• Recognition of treatment limitations and appropriate escalation of care
• The episode concludes with a compelling vision for the future of physical therapy, emphasizing the need for evidence-based practice, strategic collaboration, and a commitment to meaningful patient outcomes rather than traditional treatment metrics.

Subscribe to our newsletter here, and receive a link to resources that we update weekly after each episode!

In this episode of Future Proof PT, we dive deep into two game-changing models of care provision that could reshape physical therapy practice:

First, we explore the TEAM model (Transforming Episode Accountability Model), a Medicare acute episodes of care affecting about 740 hospitals nationwide. Learn how this model creates opportunities for outpatient PT (and OT) practices and why rethinking post-acute care transitions could lead to better patient outcomes.

Then, we uncover the proven success of PTs as primary care providers (PCPs) in the military model - a system that's been delivering results since 1974! Discover the four key domains that validate PT effectiveness as PCPs:

• Clinical effectiveness in musculoskeletal care
• Outstanding safety profile
• Cost effectiveness
• Reduced downstream healthcare utilization

For clinicians feeling burnt out: This episode offers a fresh perspective on elevating your practice and embracing new opportunities in team-based care.

Don't miss this crucial conversation about the future of our profession and how we can deliver more value to our healthcare system!

Subscribe to our newsletter and receive our Resources Database. This page is updated weekly with resources from the latest episode and is only available to subscribers!