Does Virtual Physical Therapy Work? Yes!

« Back to All Blogs
Published:  January 20, 2023
Categories:

What is the value of virtual therapy services?

Physical Therapy is a cost-effective alternative to medication and surgery for joint and muscle pain relief that enables patients to regain or improve their quality of life. Physical therapy is also the primary treatment for mobility, stability, and weakness concerns as well as pelvic floor and balance health. Guidance from a healthcare provider minimizes the risks of prolonged symptoms, chronicity, and setbacks that occur when patient concerns are not addressed appropriately. Virtual physical therapy enables patients to be seen quickly (typically within 48 hours) with enhanced convenience and accessibility (such as night and weekend scheduling options), and with better understanding of the patients’ physical environment offering more personalized care. When commuting to a clinic for therapy feels burdensome, we can deliver the care to you. Many patients who have difficulty with transportation, live in rural areas or don’t have a clinic nearby, have childcare or eldercare responsibilities, or work during typical clinic hours find virtual care the convenient solution they need to improve their health.

In the event that in-person care is required, virtual physical therapy can help you understand your condition, complete necessary functional assessments, and determine next best clinical actions to help you reach your goals while assisting you in scheduling at a convenient location within our ATI national practice footprint, with over 900 clinic locations to support our patients.

How does ATI CONNECT help me achieve my goals?

ATI CONNECT is the industry leader in delivery of virtual Physical Therapy with over 150,000 visits completed virtually and over 90% patient satisfaction. Patient outcomes with ATI CONNECT virtual care are identical to those achieved in person, ensuring that you receive the best care, regardless of where you are seen.  ATI CONNECT offers optimized individual care one on one with a licensed Physical Therapist that supports you in your recovery with both expert knowledge and medical guidance as well as state of the art technology that ensures proper monitoring and progress throughout your plan of care. ATI CONNECT allows patients to complete therapy visits, message with their provider, track and perform prescribed treatments, and monitor progress towards their MSK goals.

What can I expect to experience during virtual therapy?

Evaluation

The first visit of virtual physical    therapy care with ATI CONNECT is similar to any first visit with a healthcare provider.  This first visit focuses on an evaluation, during which we confirm your diagnosis, assess your current level of function to identify opportunities in mobility, strength, stability or pain, and establish your treatment goals. Our specially trained clinicians use videos and voice over guidance to instruct positioning and make you feel confident in your movements. During this first visit, we prescribe a personalized plan of care that best meets your goals and review with you in detail.  This could include various modalities of care such as virtual therapy, remote therapeutic monitoring and/or in-clinic follow-up care. The number of sessions needed are determined by your diagnosis, complexity, and treatment goals. At the completion of the evaluation, we will work with you to schedule your plan of care to ensure that you receive the care you need.

Follow up visits

After completing an initial evaluation, we will work with you through virtual follow up visits (also known as treatment sessions) throughout your plan of care. During these sessions, your clinician will work with you to determine the right treatment based on how you are progressing and feeling on any given  day.  The clinician will monitor your condition, adapt your program to changes and your needs, as well as ensure you are able to perform the necessary mobility or strengthening activities appropriately. Our clinicians are experts in utilizing your environment and household items to perform activities with to minimize the need of any specialized equipment.  As the healing process is usually not a straight path, the clinician will help with understanding the process and making sure that your overall progress towards your goals is maintained.  When you reach your established treatment goals, we will work with you to establish a discharge plan and program that will help you maintain your outcome and decrease need for future treatment so that you can enjoy your quality of life.

Preparing for your Evaluation and ensuring success

To assist you in completing your virtual evaluation, a video capable device such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer is required. This allows us to interact with you most effectively. Patients are also required to have an active email address for application set up and appointment link access. Stable access to the internet is also critical for effective virtual care. We highly recommend being on WIFI during your visits as well as in an area that allows room to perform exercises in a safe manner.

FAQ

1. How does virtual physical therapy work?

Your evaluation and treatment will be completed via a live video appointment with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Your therapist will evaluate you, establish an appropriate plan of care, and then guide and monitor you through your care. With the use of our Audio/Visual technology through ATI CONNECT we can not only see and hear you but measure and assess your current conditions and establish personalized care with the convenience of flexibility in scheduling and locations.

2. Do I need equipment like I have seen in a physical therapy clinic?

You don’t need any special equipment; our clinicians are specialists in virtual care delivery and will be able to prescribe you effective activities based on your needs and your environment. They are experts in creativity to assess your environment and use readily available household items to meet your goals without needing to visit a clinic.

3. Can virtual physical therapy get me better?

Therapy is a team-based rehabilitation medical service that partners the clinician and the patient together to reach a goal which can be prescribed, taught, and monitored online. Virtual physical therapy has identical success rates as our in-clinic locations for patient outcomes with industry leading patient satisfaction. We ensure that we deliver the right care at the right time to you that meets our exceptional standards of care.

4. How much space will I need?

Assessment and treatments are movement based; we recommend you have an area that you can comfortably move around. During your evaluation, treatment needs can be discussed with your clinician to ensure you are set up for success.

5. How can my clinician assess me without being physically present?

ATI CONNECT allows clinicians to accurately track your movement and determine when an activity is being done correctly. Our expertly trained virtual physical therapists are industry leaders in the delivery of  virtual physical therapy and ATI CONNECT technology offers state of the art monitoring to ensure you receive the best care available.

6. What does virtual care cost?

Virtual care has the same fees as in person care. The largest benefit of virtual care is that it works with your life by having unparalleled convenience with enhanced scheduling flexibility and access to care that is not dependent on a physical location.  Virtual care offers the care you need, when you need it, where you need it.