Will AI Replace Physical Therapist Assistants?

Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Transport patients to and from treatment areas, lifting and transferring them according to positioning requirements.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Communicate with or instruct caregivers or family members on patient therapeutic activities or treatment plans.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Measure patients' range-of-joint motion, body parts, or vital signs to determine effects of treatments or for patient evaluations.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Train patients in the use of orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Assist patients to dress, undress, or put on and remove supportive devices, such as braces, splints, or slings.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Attend or conduct continuing education courses, seminars, or in-service activities.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Fit patients for orthopedic braces, prostheses, or supportive devices, such as crutches.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform postural drainage, percussions, or vibrations or teach deep breathing exercises to treat respiratory conditions.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform clerical duties, such as taking inventory, ordering supplies, answering telephone, taking messages, or filling out forms.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Administer traction to relieve neck or back pain, using intermittent or static traction equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform therapeutic wound care.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.