Will AI Replace Physical Therapists?

Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.

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

Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.

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

Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.

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

Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.

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

Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

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

Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

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

Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

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

Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.

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

Test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.

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

Direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.

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

Review physician's referral and patient's medical records to help determine diagnosis and physical therapy treatment required.

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

Identify and document goals, anticipated progress, and plans for reevaluation.

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

Provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.

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

Provide educational information about physical therapy or physical therapists, injury prevention, ergonomics, or ways to promote health.

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

Inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.

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

Discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

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

Administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.

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

Refer clients to community resources or services.

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

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.

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

Evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.

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

Teach physical therapy students or those in other health professions.

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

Conduct or support research and apply research findings to practice.

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

Participate in community or community agency activities or help to formulate public policy.

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

Direct group rehabilitation activities.

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