Future-Proof PT

Finding the physical therapist's moat, and proving our value to patients, employers, payers, and other providers in an AI-enabled healthcare system.

Find thefull transcript here.

Your next competitor may never open a clinic down the road.

As employers look for more affordable, convenient healthcare, physical therapists face growing competition from digital-first companies and employer-based services. In this episode, Alex and Dana use KFF’s employer health benefits survey as a starting point to explore what these changes mean for clinicians, practice owners, and the profession.

They discuss direct-to-employer contracts, financial risk, alternatives to visit-driven care, and the infrastructure practices need to serve patients differently. Then they tackle a harder question: What is physical therapy’s “moat”—the expertise and value that others cannot easily replicate?

From movement assessment and triage to a stronger role in primary and urgent care, they challenge

therapists to connect their skills to the outcomes patients and purchasers need, and consider where to start.

Chapters:

0:08 – Why KFF's annual employer survey matters

1:40 – Self-insurance and who carries the financial risk

2:52 – Premiums may rise 5%, while out-of-pocket costs climb further

3:11 – Affordability challenges the fee-for-service treadmill

4:36 – Earlier access, broader primary care, and AI

6:29 – Could direct employer contracts work for PT providers?

9:57 – Employers want providers to control total costs

13:02 – Digital-first competitors are already taking risk

17:30 – Rural innovation funding and the role of e-consults

17:54 – A clinic-readiness ladder for technology and risk

20:54 – Building and proving the profession's value

23:08 – A practical first step: learn more and meet more people

Find KFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey here.

*All ideas and opinions are those of the podcast participants only and are not advice. For informational and entertainment purposes only.*

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Alex and Dana explore AI, patient behavior, and the gap between technological innovation and meaningful health outcomes.

Technology may transform how care is delivered, but therapists' ability to influence human behavior could be their most enduring value.

Find the full transcript here.

Listen in on the conversation about the forces reshaping healthcare and the therapy professions.

We begin with the upcoming midterm elections, potential shifts in healthcare policy, and the future of Medicare innovation models under changing political leadership.

From there, the conversation turns to a bigger question: Can artificial intelligence, digital health, and robotics fundamentally improve health outcomes, or does meaningful progress still depend on changing human behavior?

Dana and Alex explore patient agency, the slow and often underestimated nature of lasting change, and the possibilities technology creates for expanding access to care and reducing human suffering.

They close with a challenge to physical, occupational, and speech therapists: Are we placing too much value on hands-on techniques and too little on our greatest strengths and value we provide to the healthcare ecosystem and the population: clinical reasoning, patient engagement, and the ability to help people change their behavior?

The episode covers the intersection of policy, technology, and human potential, and what it will take to future-proof the therapy professions.

*All ideas and opinions are those of the podcast participants only and not advice. For informational and entertainment purposes only.*

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The momentum behind physical therapists, the payers still holding on to an old picture of PT, and what new grads need to stay in the profession.

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Kyle teaches at Duke, spent years in hospital-based care as a board-certified neurologic specialist, and started PT school in 2001, when direct access and the DPT were the new conversation. He's candid about how hard it is to be a clinician right now, and he's optimistic anyway. Here's what you'll hear:

You're going to see your physical therapist. When Kyle takes his dog in, he's going to see the veterinarian. He says physical therapists put the "sent for PT" language on ourselves, and it's on us to make clear that patients come to see a clinical expert.He ties it to the century of referral-only, incident-to history the profession is still undoing, even with direct access in every state.

Nothing magic happens at minute eight. Dana points out that the eval and re-eval are the only codes for work only a physical therapist can do. The rest of the code set was built for an earlier era of PT education, and it misses the work we do without pay: coordinating care, reassessing, modifying plans, talking with patients between visits, and much more. Kyle's answer is outcomes. The data in your documentation is what moves payment toward value and complexity, and it's why APTA's Value of PT report keeps adding diagnoses as the evidence comes in.

Physicians already want their patients to see us. APTA's report on primary care physicians came back positive: they think their patients need physical therapists. They just don't know how to get patients to us. Dana calls it being "aligned with our primary care colleagues," and Kyle says he's stealing the phrase. After decades of turf battles, his message to the profession is "It's got to be a contribution, not a competition."

Keep PT in your signature. Kyle names the loan debt and housing costs newer clinicians face that he never did, and Dana gets personal about what it costs to be a PT in northern New Jersey. Kyle wants everyone who moves into other roles like insurance, administration, tech, or city council to introduce themselves as a PT first. Nurses and physicians keep their nursing or physician identity in every leadership role they take, and that's how they get advocates at tables where we're missing.

Cash-based practice is evidence. Dana worries that a profession serving only people who can pay out of pocket drifts away from mainstream medicine. Kyle agrees it can't meet society's needs, and he sees something useful in it: proof that people with the means will pay a lot more for what physical therapists do. He wants to use that proof to improve payment in network.

PT For Future Me. APTA's consumer campaign pitches physical therapists as the clinicians who keep you active 20 years from now and able to play with your grandkids. Kyle says the public and lawmakers are coming around. Private payers still picture PT as post-surgical care, and he wants a campaign aimed right at them.

Tech companies are coming to physical therapists. APTA treats AI as an opportunity and has an AI framework report on the way. Kyle points to the CSM exhibit hall as proof that tech now comes looking for us, and he reminds us the profession has adapted before: when polio disappeared, PTs moved with the technology.

Kyle is optimistic, and he backs it up with record years of state advocacy wins, bipartisan standing in Congress, and physicians and tech companies asking for more of us. Keeping that going is everyone's job, member or not.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome, APTA President Kyle Covington

01:22 Where direct access stands now

07:39 The eval, the re-eval, and the work we don't get paid for

11:37 "Sent for PT" and the veterinarian test

12:55 Nothing magic happens at minute eight

16:15 Downstream spend and aligning with primary care

21:13 Burnout, loan debt, and what new grads face

26:23 Why PTs are leaving the clinic

28:20 Cash-based practice and keeping PT in your signature

31:20 PTs as experts in behavior change

33:08 PT For Future Me and public health

34:45 AI and technology

37:23 PT first and the case to private payers

39:27 Bipartisan support and record state wins

41:26 Wrap-up

A few quotes from Kyle to listen for:

"We've known for a long time that nothing magic happens between minute eight and minute nine, or minute fifteen and minute sixteen. The magic that happens is the exercise prescription and the clinical expertise that we apply."

"We need to own that you are coming to the expertise of this clinical expert. You're going to see your physical therapist."

"They all think that their patients need us. The misdirect is they don't know how to get their patients to us."

"It can't be a competition anymore. It's got to be a contribution."

"They face a world outside of PT from a loan burden standpoint, from a cost of buying a house standpoint that I didn't face when I was coming out of PT."

"What it is doing in a way that we've never had before is showing that society is willing to pay a lot more for our services."

"PT is in my signature. PT is what I was trained to do. And it's because of my PT training that I'm so good at this other role."

"We're your provider that's going to keep you active two decades from now. We're your provider that's going to make sure you can play with your grandkids."

"It's technology saying, you know what we need? We need physical therapists."

"You chose this profession, and it's all of our collective responsibility to grow that fire."

Find the full transcript and Kyle's bio here.

Follow Kyle on LinkedIn here.

Download the APTA's Report "The Economic Value of Physical Therapy in the United States."Linked here.

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Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: How OTs and PTs Get Paid and Therapy and Value-Based Care Models.

Chris Hoekstra watched PT's AI panic flip in twelve months at the same annual meeting, and he explains what that reversal says about how this profession actually changes.

Chris has been a PT for about 25 years. He also holds a PhD in clinical informatics, teaches organizational behavior at Oregon Health & Science University, and leads clinical transformation work at Therapeutic Associates. He calls himself a sociotechnologist, and that turned out to be the right word for this conversation.

We got into why PT has been slow to adopt technology, why most therapists can't tell you what an RVU is when every physician can, the difference between quality and value, and what Chris thinks leadership actually requires. He also tells the story of a quality dashboard rollout that made therapists call in sick.

What we cover:

→ Why the HITECH Act money went to medicine and PT paid its own way → The four levers that decide whether anybody changes anything → The gap between the scope therapists have and the codes they can bill → Quality and value, and why treating them as the same word keeps us stuck → What $800 a day buys in a skilled nursing facility → Why a quality number feels like a verdict on your character → What CMS is signaling in this year's requests for information → The three ingredients that put a clinician in flow

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Chris Hoekstra

02:15 Why PT lagged on technology

04:05 What actually forces change

07:13 When patients start acting like consumers

10:29 The four levers behind every decision

12:45 The scope we have and the codes we don't

15:41 "I want an hour with my patients"

16:55 Quality and value are not the same

19:16 $800 a day to walk down the hall

22:09 The patient who wants the ultrasound

24:34 The 10 percent echo chamber

25:30 A failure of leadership

29:26 They have to feel it

31:12 Confident humility and one percent better

32:26 Every physician knows what an RVU is

35:06 AI, second brains, and what it's for

37:45 When AI alone outperformed the doctor

38:28 From boogeyman to ChatGPT in one year

41:56 The dashboard that made PTs call in sick

43:46 What quality even means anymore

46:06 What CMS is signaling in the RFIs

48:31 PT as prevention

50:40 Part of the primary care team

53:29 The recipe for flow

54:36 What every PT should understand

A few quotes from Chris during in this episode. Listen for them:

"I had more than one PT, the first day we rolled it out, call in sick, because they thought maybe they would be the lowest performing person on that dashboard. That's the amount of fear we have with people when you start to show these."

"Historically we've dumbed down PT to say it's visits plus units."

"We went from one year boogeyman to the next year put everything in ChatGPT. It just takes a couple of people getting a good outcome from it. And we're lemmings, so we're gonna follow."

"We teach our PTs to look at the efficacy of their care in a frame of one, always. What we rarely do is roll those up into populations to say, how am I doing en masse?"

"Be confident, but first be humble. Every day step into it saying, I'm not where I need to be. And if I am, I should probably retire."

"MIPS has been a travesty in many respects, with an overfocus on process measures that actually don't change care. Everyone's gonna game the system when you throw money at it."

Find the full transcript and Chris' bio here.

Follow Chris on Linked Inhere.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

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Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: How OTs and PTs Get Paid and Therapy and Value-Based Care Models.

Net Health's Ben Barron on the 12,000-therapist shortage, what CMS' proposed RTM changes would mean for rural practices, and how to create access to physical therapists' expertise starting today.

The physical therapy profession is 12,000 therapists short, with no catch-up projected until 2037 at the earliest. Demand is climbing. Filling the schedule is not the problem. We should be focused on how to serve more of the community with the therapists we already have.

Ben Barron is a physical therapist, former co-owner of a 23-clinic orthopedic private practice, and an executive at Net Health. He joins Alex and Dana to talk about what therapists can do about capacity right now.

Ben said this perfectly: "We're going to be busy. The question is: How do we want to be busy?"

The through line is more evaluations, hybrid and tech-supported care paths, remote touchpoints between visits, and care segmented by clinical need rather than by who called first. Besides being ways to address access issues, they're the pre-value-based steps that prepare a practice for what's coming and let therapy meet its physician partners where they already are on their own VBC journey. How? By delivering the thing those partners need most, which is prompt, skilled evaluation and reliable access to care for their patients best managed by physical therapists.

In this episode, we cover this and more:

• The workforce math that makes hybrid care a necessity rather than a preference

• Why the 40-minute one-on-one visit came from the 8-minute rule, not the evidence

• Visit frequency dogma, and what the evidence actually supports

• Why a wait list is rationing, and why "we're full" isn't a success metric

• The eval math: why skewing toward evaluations helps finances and patients

• RTM, hybrid visits, and the 166 hours a week you're not with your patient

• Why promising cost savings is the argument that loses regulators

• What primary care and behavioral health figured out about access first

• How to be ready for value-based care before you ever sign a contract

Two other quotes from Ben during the episode that we love (listen to hear the context!):

"We are incrementally making an imperfect system less imperfect."

"We ration care every single day."

Chapters:

00:11 — Music intro and welcome

00:42 — Ben Barron’s background in physical therapy and health tech

03:04 — Are technology tools making therapists’ work easier?

07:37 — Workforce shortages, demand, and access to care

10:51 — RTM: reimbursement changes and remote monitoring

18:59 — Why RTM adoption has been slow

26:06 — Rethinking one-on-one care and embracing hybrid models

39:33 — What prevents practices from changing

44:04 — Access, value-based care, and a more sustainable practice model

52:30 — Building a future focused on lives impacted

54:08 — Closing thoughts and thanks

Find the full transcript and Ben's biohere. Follow Ben on Linked In here.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid" and Therapy and Value-Based Care Models.

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

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Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTLinked In page.

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Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

VA Leader Brian Westlake, PT, DPT, Cert MDT on how to impact total cost of care, what it means to control healthcare spending in a fixed budget and how primary care is crucial, outcomes-accountable care, and MSK triage in primary care.

After 25 years leading inside the Veterans Administration, Brian Westlake came away certain that future of the physical therapy profession depends on moving upstream, into the primary care team.

He saw it firsthand. As an executive overseeing a ~$400 million budget in the Bronx, Brian watched primary care teams do what fragmented, downstream care couldn't do. They keep budgets viable and get patients the right care as early as possible. He has a high conviction that this is a better model for PT and that it's the only way the profession secures its future, steps fully into its role in the healthcare system, and has a bigger impact on patients.

He starts off with the story of four patients, all sent to him for evaluations for shoulder pain. Two actually had a neck, not shoulder impairment, and some had already gotten injections and an MRI of the shoulder before anyone screened the spine. It's exactly the wasted downstream spend that earlier PT contact is built to prevent.

Dana, Alex, and Brian get into:

– Why PTs belong at the front of the system as the MSK triage point of contact

– The VA's PACT model, and why MSK should follow behavioral health into primary care

– Outcomes-accountable care and the IMC model (25% MSK cost reduction, at risk)

– The Choice Act and Mission Act, and how community-care spend exploded

– Telehealth that actually scales: e-consults, store-and-forward, video-to-home

– Why weak outcomes collection is the thing holding PT back

– Speaking the language payers reward: total cost of care and "days at home"

Brian's message to the profession: We've earned a seat in the broader healthcare arena, we underestimate our own impact, and we can't afford to wait. We have to demonstrate the impact we can have so it becomes the norm for primary care providers and patients alike.

Tune in for the rest of the conversation!

Chapters

Find the full transcript and Brian's Bio here. Follow Brian onLinked In.

About the show: Future Proof PT is a podcast for physical therapists, physical therapists assistants, and others who want to think beyond the clinic, about policy, payment, identity, and the future of the profession.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid" and Therapy and Value-Based Care Models.

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

FollowAlex Benderskyon Linked In.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTLinked In page.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTYouTube Channel.

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Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

Plus, Ray Dalio's framework for how systems break, applied to the profession's financial reckoning and its AI future

(note: this episode was published before the CMS 2027 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule was published)

Is physical therapy heading toward its own financial reckoning?

In Episode 32, Dana and Alex run MSK care through the same systems logic Ray Dalio uses to explain how countries go broke. Here's what you'll hear:

Chapters:

00:10 Introduction to Payment Stressors in Healthcare

01:43 The Evolution of Physical Therapy and Payment Reform

05:30 The Impact of AI on Healthcare Delivery

09:53 Revolution vs. Evolution in Healthcare Systems

14:01 The Future of Payment Models and AI Integration

19:30 AI's Role in Healthcare Precision and Transparency

21:05 Access Challenges in Urban vs. Rural Healthcare

22:52 Understanding Access Problems in Healthcare

25:02 AI's Impact on Healthcare Access

26:51 Network Adequacy and AI's Potential

29:08 AI Safety and Bias in Healthcare

31:16 The Future of Physical Therapy with AI

33:48 Embracing Change in Healthcare Delivery

Find the full transcripthere.

Referenced in the episode:

Dr. Chad Cook

Dr. Trevor Lentz

Ray Dalio's books

CMS Physician Fee Schedule home page

Medicare Shared Savings Program

ACO REACH Model

LEAD Model

ACCESS Model

ACCESS Model: landing page for referring and co-managing clinicians (including PTs and OTs)

Advanced Primary Care Management services and codesunder the Physical Fee Schedule

Duke research finding removing financial barriers to physical therapy led to more evidence-based care and cut unnecessary healthcare utilization.

"Healthcare Dive's" coverage of the Hinge Health IPO

Waymo's March 2026 landing page covering their safety data

About the show: Future Proof PT is a podcast for physical therapists, physical therapists assistants, and others who want to think beyond the clinic, about policy, payment, identity, and the future of the profession.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid" and Therapy and Value-Based Care Models.

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

FollowAlex Benderskyon Linked In.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTLinked In page.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTYouTube Channel.

Subscribe to ournewsletter and email list.

Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

Duke's Dr. Chad Cook on the 5 things MSK therapists obsess over, and what we should be doing instead

A VA physician once told a colleague of Dr. Chad Cook's that physical therapy isn't really the movement profession, it's the Swiss Army knife profession, because PTs do a little bit of everything. Whenever no one else knows what to do, the patient gets sent to PT to "get it sorted out."

Chad isn't sure he disagrees. In this episode, Chad joins Alex and Dana to walk through five sacred cows in MSK physical therapy. These are the things clinicians treat as essential that, in his view, matter far less than the profession believes, and the skills we should be leaning into instead. Chad is a tenured professor at Duke University with appointments in Orthopaedics, Population Health Sciences, and the Duke Clinical Research Institute. He's been a PT for 36 years, a health services researcher for 27, and is one of the most cited voices in our field.

What we cover:

Plus three threads that emerged outside the five-things framework:

Dr. Cook shares some uncomfortable numbers that we need to face to address.

-75% of PT referrals never initiate,

-30% drop off after the first visit,

-and MSK patient outcomes have actually gotten worse over the last two decades

Plus, where Chad sees AI, digital-first care, and lifestyle medicine fitting in.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chad Cook

02:56 The Identity Crisis in Physical Therapy

05:47 The Role of Physical Therapists in Primary Care

08:33 The Precision Paradox in Treatment

10:51 The Emotional Aspect of Diagnosis

13:29 The Transition to Self-Management

15:41 The Impact of Digital Health Solutions

18:20 The Future of Physical Therapy

28:45 Navigating Uncertainty in Healthcare

30:45 The Digital Transformation of Health Systems

32:08 The Role of AI in Patient Care

36:51 Understanding Patient Recovery Trajectories

39:36 The Importance of Prognosis in Therapy

46:04 Redefining Exercise and Patient Engagement

50:48 The Power of Touch in Therapy

55:22 Negotiating Behavioral Change in Healthcare

59:09 The Future of Physical Therapy

Find the full transcript here.

Related: Episode 30 with Dr. Trevor Lentz

About our Guest:

Dr. Chad Cook is a tenured professor at Duke University with appointments in the Department of Orthopaedics, the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and the Department of Population Health Sciences. He is a physical therapist with more than 36 years of clinical experience, an active health services researcher, and a clinical board member for multiple healthcare organizations. Dr. Cook has been involved in securing over $16 million in external funding and has authored more than 450 peer reviewed manuscripts, 46 book chapters, and four textbooks. He has delivered over 100 keynote lectures across 40 countries.

Chad’s recent article in Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy: Many Paths to Recovery: The Case for Treatment Pluralism.

About the show: Future Proof PT is a podcast for physical therapists who want to think beyond the clinic, about policy, payment, identity, and the future of the profession.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy? Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid."

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

FollowAlex Benderskyon Linked In.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTLinked In page.

Subscribe to theFuture Proof PTYouTube Channel.

Subscribe to ournewsletter and email list.

Subscribe to our sister newsletter,Timeless Autonomy,Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

And the active ingredients in PT often aren't even physical

"We have the capacity to provide a level of care that nobody else in the healthcare system does. But we're being hamstrung by the payment models." — Dr. Trevor Lentz

Dr. Trevor Lentz of Duke University on why patients write off physical therapy after one failed attempt, what the profession is actually selling, and the payment models keeping PT from delivering its real value.

In this episode, Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss sit down with Dr. Trevor Lentz, physical therapist, researcher, and faculty at Duke University, to unpack the structural and identity challenges facing the profession.

The conversation moves across patient defection, language and labeling, payment reform, phenotyping, and what it would take to build longitudinal care models that finally pay therapists for outcomes rather than volume.

What you'll hear:

Find the complete transcript and outlinehere.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:23 Trevor's background and path to research

03:00 Day-to-day at Duke

03:54 Inductive vs. deductive reasoning in clinical practice

05:39 The No-Copay Revolution study

09:30 Horizontal vs. vertical value and the time-horizon problem

12:44 Rethinking incentives and longitudinal care

17:28 Why one bad PT experience ends the relationship forever

20:53 The identity crisis and language problem

26:57 Phenotyping and tiered, personalized care

39:32 The Pain Navigator program and AIMBAC trial

46:23 Navigators in the commercial space

48:14 Closing: the whole-person argument

About the guest:

Trevor Lentz, PT, PhD, MPHis an Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University and a licensed physical therapist. His work focuses on improving outcomes in musculoskeletal care by integrating behavioral and psychological factors, patient-reported outcomes, and real-world data into clinical decision-making. He leads and collaborates on pragmatic and hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies aimed at translating evidence into routine surgical and non-surgical musculoskeletal care.

About the show: Future Proof PT is a podcast for physical therapists who want to think beyond the clinic, about policy, payment, identity, and the future of the profession.

Hosts: Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy?Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid."

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

Follow Alex Bendersky on Linked In.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT Linked In page.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT YouTube Channel.

Subscribe to our newsletter and email list.

Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Timeless Autonomy, Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter (nearly) every Sunday evening.

Why content follows culture, and practical actions clinic owners can implement within the next 3 months.

Find the full episode transcript here.

Posting more isn’t a growth strategy. Kylie Williams joins us to break down why “marketing to patients” on social media is getting harder, and why the clinics that win are the ones building culture that therapists actually want to be part of. We talk retention, autonomy, flexibility, benefits that matter, and a simple “side quest” approach to content that does not derail clinical excellence.

Kylie is a healthcare professional with 8+ years of experience in physical therapy as a PTA. Now in a non-clinical role, she focuses on industry market analysis and storytelling to help private practices grow, adapt, and stay strong in a change healthcare landscape.

Key Topics:

-Social media's impact on private practice growth

-Creating a strong clinic culture to reduce turnover

-Innovative marketing strategies for healthcare providers

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kylie Williams

01:36 The Importance of Culture in Physical Therapy

05:05 Defining and Building a Positive Work Culture

09:29 Targeting the Right Audience for Recruitment

18:15 First Principles for Engaging New Clinicians

23:07 The Impact of Social Media on Attention Spans

23:40 Balancing Attention and Depth in Learning

25:20 Navigating the Attention Economy

26:10 Attracting Talent in a Digital Age

27:04 Creating Value in Social Media Content

28:27 The Challenge of Teaching Value in Social Media

30:18 Connecting Social Media to Business Success

32:12 Investing in Marketing Education for Therapists

34:03 Finding Balance in Clinical and Promotional Roles

37:15 The Role of Influencers in Modern Careers

39:07 Empowering Clinicians to Pursue Side Projects

40:47 The Importance of Agency in Clinical Roles

42:36 Shifting Paradigms in Therapy Business Models

44:40 Embracing Creativity and Optimism in Therapy

Want information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy?

Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid."

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

Follow Alex Bendersky on Linked In.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT Linked In page.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT YouTube Channel.

Subscribe to our newsletter and email list for exclusive content.

Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Timeless Autonomy, Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter every Sunday evening.

How RVUs (Not the Conversion Factor) Quietly Squeeze PT and OT and the Practical Blueprint to Shift From "Minutes" to ACO-Ready Value

(read the full transcript here)

In this episode, Alex and Dana discuss the CMMI ACCESS Model and what it could unlock for MSK care inside ACOs. They debate digital enablement reality and explain how aligned incentives can reshape referral pathways. They make a direct case the that the physical therapy profession's future depends on understanding payment mechanics.

A core theme of this episode is that if PT stays positioned as specialty care based on "treatment minutes" as the primary service, it will keep losing in a system shifting relative value units (RVUs) toward primary care and behavioral health. If PT repositions around evaluation-driven expertise and ACO partnership, the profession can move from survival to influence.

Here's what else you'll learn:

Want more information on PT and OT reimbursement and opportunities in policy and advocacy?

Read Dana's guest post series for OT Potential here: "How OTs and PTs Get Paid."

FollowDana Strausson Linked In.

Follow Alex Bendersky on Linked In.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT Linked In page.

Subscribe to the Future Proof PT YouTube Channel.

Subscribe to our newsletter and email list for exclusive content.

Subscribe to our sister newsletter, Timeless Autonomy, Dana covers health policy insights and career growth tips for healthcare professionals and sends a weekly newsletter every Sunday evening.

A reality-check on what works today, what is hype, and what must improve before digital-first MSK care earns trust

We sit down today with Sergei Polevikov (FixHealth.ai, Well.AI / Chart2Chart) for a reality-check conversation on what AI in healthcare actually is, where it genuinely helps today, and where the hype can cause harm.

Sergei breaks down AI’s evolution from early machine learning to modern transformer models, then moves from definitions into the real stakes: transparency, validation, and workflow fit. Then we discuss with him the risk of overpromising in musculoskeletal care.

The conversation zooms in on a massive, under-discussed shift: Medicare’s growing interest in digitally enabled care models that can substitute for traditional services, and what that could mean for PTs, patients, and outcomes. Sergei explains why digital-first triage is likely the future, while also outlining the biggest watch-outs right now, including hallucinations, automation bias, incomplete data, and the lack of real-time interoperability that healthcare needs most.

We also cover a PT and OT relevant rubric for separating hype from real clinical value: does the tool augment PT judgment and continuity of care, or is it being positioned (and reimbursed) to substitute for PT, especially in emerging Medicare digital-first models?

Takeaways from the episode should help outline what to pressure-test before adoption or referral: safety guardrails and hallucination risk, transparency and validation in real-world MSK populations, EHR/workflow fit (not “more clicks”), and whether the vendor’s incentives align with outcomes vs. billing.

Clinicians are concerned about AI "replacing clinicians tomorrow," but that's not reality and it distracts from the real issue. The biggest threat is poorly governed digital care pathways that can bypass PT and OT, fragment care, and dilute instead of improve accountability unless the evidence and oversight are truly there.

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We are tackling physical therapy's brand crisis head-on. From pop culture portrayals (yes, we're talking about that "Land Man" stripper scene) to CMS policy that treats PT as "substitute spend" for MSK digital health solutions, the evidence is clear: we have a public perception problem.

We explore why professional identity matters, how specialization creates internal dissonance, and why evidence-based practice sometimes conflicts with how we want to be perceived. We talk about the importance of communicating our actual skill set, and why we need to stop being terrible at telling people what we do and why it matters.

Why this matters right now:

Value-based care and episode/bundled payment models are framed as the future: fewer visits, higher impact per encounter. But remaining the PT who serves as the primary provider for managing their patients' longitudinal spend. In those models, PTs “win” by preventing downstream costs (imaging, opioids, injections, surgery, prolonged disability). But that only works if we can show it.

Key topics: professional branding, healthcare policy, payment models, public perception, advocacy, and the path forward for elevating the profession.

Mentioned in the episode:

Nassim Taleb | "Skin in the Game" Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life

Episode Quality Improvement Plan (EQIP)

ACCESS Model

ACCESS Technical FAQs

Explore the intersection of evidence-based practice, healthcare economics, and pseudoscience in rehab, plus practical strategies for clinicians who want to do better without going broke

Is your physical therapy practice built on evidence, or just what pays? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Ingraham, science writer and founder ofpainscience.com, to challenge the line between evidence-based practice and pseudoscience in rehab.

We explore why manual therapy needs a serious reframe, how economic pressures push clinicians toward uncertain treatments, and whether honest patient communication can coexist with running a profitable practice.

Paul doesn't hold back: he argues that most PTs operate in a gray zone where research is weak, outcomes are unpredictable, and informed consent is virtually nonexistent. You might not agree with everything he says—but you'll hopefully question what you do and why you do it. Maybe you'll look into the scientific evidence behind your current common care plans.

Topics include:

Paul Ingraham is a Vancouver science writer and a former Registered Massage Therapist, a profession he left in 2010 over concerns about its pseudoscientific nonsense. Since then, he has been publishing PainScience.com full-time, a website about the science of pain and injury, known for its rich footnotes and anti-quackery activism. The site offers hundreds of articles and ten books, all based on a huge bibliography. Paul was an active amateur athlete for decades, especially in ultimate (the Frisbee sport), but has now retired from competitive intensity and “just” does a lot of running and cycling, despite grappling with his own chronic pain/illness problems since 2015.

Here's where you can find Paul!

https://www.painscience.com/subscribe [free newsletter]

https://www.painscience.com/ebooks

https://www.facebook.com/painscience

https://www.threads.net/@painsci

https://bsky.app/profile/painsci.bsky.social

https://x.com/painsci

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How crazy is it that proven interventions in healthcare take so long to spread, even when they show clear economic and clinical benefits?

Innovation in healthcare is painfully difficult to get into widespread adoption, even after proven successful.

This episode discusses the results of a nine year-old study at Geisinger Health System on a PT-First "bundle" that's just as relevant today. But the disturbing part about it is it's not common to find a structure like this one, where a shift in incentives changed the care pathway for patients.

Here are major takeaways from the episode:

Find the article we discuss in this episode on a PT-First payment model here.

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We also discussed in this episode the"Geisinger Fresh Food Farmacy" research. The pilot evaluated whether providing free, healthy food for the entire household of a food-insecure adult with Type 2 diabetes improves health outcomes and reduces healthcare use. In the podcast, Dana described what she recalled from memory. The study is found here but we can't find access to the article unlocked. Asking "Claude.AI," it said in this observational pilot study with 37 participants showed a 2.1% average drop in HbA1c levels and an 80% reduction in healthcare costs (from $240,000 to $48,000 per member per year). Additional research has recently been published put we can't locate it unlocked online. It looks like funding was from the 2018 Farm Bill.

Check out the You Tube versionof the podcast here.

In this episode, Dana and Alex review the research articles Alex shared with Future Proof PT newsletter subscribers on January 4th, 2025, exploring what these studies reveal about healthcare transformation and what PTs can learn from them.

They dive into the 4% screening tool study that dramatically improved outcomes by simply asking patients about their needs—a small intervention that created massive value. This leads to a bigger discussion: why are PTs starving on a shrinking fee-for-service diet when alternative models exist?

The answer isn't that value-based care doesn't work—it's that most clinicians haven't tested it yet.

We explore Richard Feynman's principles of honest self-evaluation and scientific integrity, applying them to healthcare's reluctance to experiment.

Alex shares that he recently reread The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and that the story's message resonated with him differently this time around. He focuses on a key moment in the book where the shepherd's father gives him money to pursue his journey—not because the father expects his son to find treasure, but because the father himself never took that journey and wants something better for his son.

Alex connects this to his own mindset as a parent: he wants his children to have opportunities and experiences he didn't have. This parallels the healthcare discussion because leaders and early adopters in value-based care are essentially doing the same thing—investing in a journey they may not fully benefit from themselves, but paving the way for the next generation of clinicians.

The core insight Alex draws is that the treasure in The Alchemist wasn't the gold the shepherd was seeking, but the transformation and self-discovery he experienced along the way. Similarly, PTs who experiment with value-based care aren't just chasing financial models—they're undergoing professional transformation that makes them more valuable, regardless of whether any single model succeeds.

This reframing positions the journey itself as the reward, and encourages clinicians to stop waiting for value-based care to be "proven" before they engage. Like the shepherd's father investing in his son's journey, today's leaders are investing in the profession's future.

Other key points include: why you need a lottery ticket to win (you have to participate to benefit), how to A-B test your way into value-based care leadership, why leadership starts with one person taking action, and how systems thinking can help PTs break free from fee-for-service heuristics. Stop waiting for permission. Start leading from your clinic. The R&D phase of healthcare needs you.

Key Topics in Episode 23:

"The Alchemist"*

"Thinking Fast and Slow"*

"The Almanac of Naval Ravikant"*

Alex's summary and takeaways of the five research articles we discuss on the episode.

Accountable Health Communities Model Findings at a Glance

*affiliate link

Fee-for-service PT reimbursement isn't viable. It's just math. In this episode, we bring our second physician guest to the Future Proof PT studio to explain. For Episode 22, we are joined by sports medicine surgeon and Protera Health co-founder Dr. Eric Makhni, MD, MBA, who also explains what physical therapists can do about our "math problem."

We explore the economics of MSK care, who actually bears financial risk in healthcare, why your clinical reasoning matters more than your manual therapy skills, and how digital health (when done right) can extend your reach without replacing your value. Eric shares stories from 20 years studying and practicing value-based care in orthopedics, including how patient-reported outcome measures changed a surgical decision in real-time and why the 2020 telehealth pivot separated true clinical experts from customer service providers.

We hope this conversation challenges how you think about your career, your compensation, and your profession's future.

Key Topics:

More about our guest, Dr. Eric Mahkni, MD, MBA:

Dr. Eric Makhni is a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon and Associate Professor at Henry Ford Health, with nearly 20 years experience in value-based orthopedic care. He has taken that experience and co-founded Protera Health, which helps health plans improve quality and costs of MSK care for their populations.

He is also the team physician for the Detroit Lions.

We asked him what PTs, and other healthcare professionals need to hear. Here's what he shared:

"Lot of organizations doing MSK VBC that are welcoming PT's with open arms. Really great opportunity to shift gears from the clinic grind to thinking - and practicing - more holistically!"

Here's why he thinks this episode is important to tune into:

"Digital MSK is one of the hottest spaces for health tech. With so many players in the space, it's important to learn how to untangle the web and see how each solution fits in the spectrum of delivery options."

Here's a "hot take" from Dr. Makhni:

"Health plan leaders have very little to lose by trying out new innovation solutions, provided these solutions use high quality clinical delivery models and pass the "sniff test." There is much more to gain by trying to improve quality of care as opposed to being scared that it might not work out."

Resources:

Protera Health - proterahealth.com

Henry Ford Health - henryford.com

Dr. Eric Makhni on LinkedIn

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Here's the YouTube version of Episode 22

How to Benefit from Value-Based Care Strategies While Treating in Fee-For-Service

"Why should I care about value-based care TODAY?"

If you're not in a risk contract and your clinic runs on fee-for-service, this question probably hits home. The answer? You don't need a value-based contract to win with value-based thinking.

Alex and Dana welcome Cody Lee and Jonathan Smith, two physical therapists who've turned podcast concepts into practice - building provider relationships, growing referrals, and demonstrating value before entering any formal risk arrangements. They share the "Accept, Change, or Leave" decision framework that ended their career stagnation, how understanding ACO language became their referral secret weapon, and why the lack of a playbook is actually your competitive advantage.

This is the bridge between healthcare theory and clinic reality - no jargon, no fluff, just practitioners sharing what actually works when you're trying to build something better than the status quo.

For clinic owners frustrated with traditional practice models, new grads looking for alternative paths, and any PT or OT who's ever thought "there has to be a better way" - this conversation delivers immediate, actionable insights you can use Monday morning.

Key Takeaways:

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Alex and Dana met on LinkedIn, started a podcast, and only met in person in October of 2025. They use their milestone 20th episode to issue an urgent call: 270,000 physical therapists must each become agents of change, starting today. They cover these topics and more:

-The economic reality is unsustainable. Therapists graduate with up to $200K debt (three-quarters of medical school) to earn a $120K salary ceiling. Compare that to nurse practitioners makin $150K with two years of training.

-The fee-for-service model traps therapy professionals. Many now leave between years 3-5, before their investment even pays off. But everything needed to transform exists right now.

-Physical therapists aren't physician extenders—they're doctoring professionals with their own licensed and supportive extenders (PTAs, health coaches, PT aides, etc.). The solution mirrors how surgeons often collaborate with physician associates: PTs should evaluate, plan care, and intervene when expertise is required, while delegating execution to skilled and/or trained team members.

-Time directly providing one-on-one patient care doesn't equal quality.

-High-quality clinicians redirect inappropriate referrals instead of accepting them like "manna from heaven."

-Setting realistic patient expectations based on prognosis and comorbidities IS the professional expertise that defines doctoring professionals. Yet the profession never fully claimed the direct access promise.

-Alex's recent experience with his father's hospitalization exposed for him healthcare's fractured reality: disciplines that don't communicate, 10+ daily errors, and systems where only patients with physician quarterbacks receive optimal care. Despite seamless technology enabling collaboration, hospitals remain unsafe places.

-Fee-for-service creates no incentive for safety or communication—but value-based models like TEAM (hitting 25% of hospitals in January) are shifting the landscape by making hospitals accountable for 30-day spending and outcomes. Therapists--this creates massive opportunity. For example, therapists can help ensure anyone who may be able to return directly home actually CAN go home, and can advocate for that on behalf of patients in collaborating with the multidisciplinary team.

-Complaints aren't actionable—they're just "the what." Action emerges when individuals realize they can move the needle in their own clinical settings, with their own patients, and with their own teams.

-Value-based care is the path to sustainable, higher PT and OT incomes in clinical roles.

-What Alex is excited about for the APTA PPS event this week!

And more!

Join them for Episode 20. Like it? Please give them a thumbs up and subscribe!

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Why your best play is calling the shots, not running them all

Alex and I recently talked about the physical therapist income floor and ceiling. And in this episode, we talk with Dr. Marc Gruner, who offers a framework for a solution to that seemingly impenetrable ceiling.

Here's the punchline. The income ceiling in PT isn't about reimbursement rates. It's about your practice model.

Dr. Gruner created the RTM codes, which are the first new codes for PTin 20 years. Now we can absolutely make the strong argument that the PT billing codes don't adequately reimburse therapists for the value we create, and that the income ceiling should not be tens of thousands below providers who don't have doctoral degrees as the required minimum educational level.

But in this episode, Dr. Gruner explains why team-based care and value-based arrangements are the only path to sustainable income growth while providing access to care to our communities.

We talk about RTM in this episode, and about how RTM wasn't designed as simply another billing code. It's infrastructure for the glide path to value-based care for physical therapists.

So tune in to hear much more from Dr. Gruner, a true physician champion for the physical therapy profession. Learn how to stop top playing every position and start calling the plays.

RTM Strategic Deep Dive: Subscribe below for the full article on how remote therapeutic monitoring serves as a facilitator for value-based success, and why we make the argument that it is crucial for therapists to think of it that way. When you subscribe, you have access to the full archive of newsletter articles and to exclusive access to a supplemental set of resources that will hit your inbox after you subscribe (for free!).

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Drowning in student debt? Feeling undervalued as a PT? Here's why: You're trapped between an artificial floor and a glass ceiling. The floor? PT school costs more than an MBA at MIT—that's your barrier to entry. The ceiling? The AMA's physician-dominated board literally decides what you're worth. And between those two forces, you're stuck. Today we break down the economic trap keeping PTs fragmented, underpaid, and powerless—and what you can actually do about it. You're not alone, and the problem runs way deeper than you may think.

What You'll Learn:

Our guest today is Jon Lee, PT, DPT, MBA, the co-founder of Pickle, former pro sports PT, and someone who's navigated from clinical practice to Oxford MBA to vaccine development to healthcare tech

It's a conversation about the structural economic problems facing PTs—and actionable knowledge you won't get in school. You will enjoy how the three of us challenge each other throughout this hour-long conversation. We keep it real and it's ultimately optimistic.

This episode is great for new grads struggling with debt, mid-career PTs feeling stuck, clinic owners questioning their business model, and anyone wondering if they made a mistake choosing their healthcare profession.

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What happens when the only physical therapist to serve two U.S. Presidents shares his unfiltered blueprint for transforming PT into a primary care powerhouse?

Dr. Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, SCS—Lieutenant Colonel (retired), former White House Medical Unit PT to Presidents Obama and Biden, and current APTA Vice President of Strategic Affairs—delivers a masterclass in professional evolution that will fundamentally shift how you view your career trajectory.

This is surgical precision strategy from someone who's operated at the highest levels of American healthcare.

Dr. Contreras dismantles the "comfort crisis" plaguing PT, where professionals complain about constraints while avoiding the uncomfortable work of actual transformation. His brings up a great point, too: venture capitalists are flooding PT because they see massive opportunity that many therapists are too comfortable to seize.

The Analogy-Based Insights You'll Gain:

Strategic Intelligence from the Inside:

Contreras reveals how political and healthcare leadership actually views PT's potential, sharing insights from Pentagon health clinics to White House medical operations. His perspective on "old guard versus new guard" leadership offers a roadmap for navigating professional transition without burning bridges.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Healthcare's shift is here and we already risk being late to the game. PTs equipped with "coloring-book anatomy knowledge" (it will make sense when you listen to the episode) successfully operated in primary care roles decades ago. Today's DPT graduates possess exponentially superior tools and knowledge, yet many lack the courage to step into their full scope of practice. And the "old guard" has to step up and embrace this too, even if it means adding to your knowledge base.

This episode will arm you with the strategic framework to thrive in healthcare's inevitable transformation.

For therapists ready to evolve beyond traditional treatment rooms into primary care leadership roles, this conversation provides the roadmap. For those comfortable with the status quo, it serves as a wake-up call to the professional reckoning already underway.

Read Dr. Contreras' bio here

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Explorers, Innovators, and the Future of Therapy Practice

What distinguishes an explorer from a maintainer in the therapy profession? Why are outside disruptors capturing market share while traditional practices struggle? How can clinicians leverage cutting-edge research on mitochondrial DNA and movement disorders to revolutionize treatment approaches? We tackle these questions and more in a dialogue that bridges clinical excellence with business innovation.

Alex offers a provocative parable about buying lottery tickets that perfectly captures our profession's hesitation to proactively engage with healthcare transformation. "We're losing workforce," he warns, "but we're still failing to see that we need to go out and look into these risk-based contracts, at least explore, at least understand what they are and how to operationalize them."

We examine the stark contrast between traditional care models and patient-centered approaches that leverage technology. Is it better to "hold a patient's hand" through dozens of visits, or transition to guided self-management after fewer sessions? This question gets to the heart of therapy's value proposition in an evolving healthcare ecosystem.

The irony doesn't escape us: therapists expertly help patients recognize and build upon their strengths, yet we collectively struggle to do the same for our profession. The gap between the actual value therapists provide and our ability to communicate that value creates the perfect opportunity for disruption – either from outside forces or, ideally, from innovative thinkers within.

External disruptors aren't succeeding because they provide better clinical care. They're succeeding because they've packaged therapy expertise in ways that solve specific problems for stakeholders, speaking the language of value, efficiency, and outcomes that resonates with payers and health systems.

This conversation isn't meant to be comfortable – it's meant to be catalyzing. The explorer's mindset we advocate requires questioning established practices, reimagining care delivery, and having the courage to venture into unfamiliar territory.

As Alex puts it: "I'm optimistic because I think the better days are ahead, because that's my nature, but I'm also realistic that it may take a catastrophe for those models to be absorbed. We just want to be on a good hill when the catastrophe hits."

Are you ready to climb that hill? To join us as explorers charting new territories in healthcare transformation? To balance rigorous clinical standards with business innovation?

Listen now to discover how adopting an explorer's mindset could transform your practice and ensure our profession remains central to healthcare's future. Because the future of therapy will be written by those willing to explore it – and we believe you have an important chapter to contribute.

Takeaways

#TherapyLeadership #HealthcareInnovation #PhysicalTherapy #ValueBasedCare #PracticeManagement

Link to the transcript here.

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

*affiliate link

Episode Summary:

In the latest episode of Future Proof PT, hosts Dana Strauss and Alex Bendersky, along with special guest Jerry Durham, tackle the critical crossroads facing physical therapy as a profession. They challenge listeners to question whether they're functioning as true healthcare professionals or merely "operators" in a broken system.

The trio discusses how healthcare is rapidly transforming around us, including recent proposed policy changes in the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule that could significantly impact physical therapists. While time-based providers like primary care physicians are seeing increases of 5-9%, independent PTs face a -1% adjustment. The trio make the case that this should be a wake-up call for the profession.

Key topics covered include:

This conversation serves as both a warning and a call to action for physical therapists to "look up" from their treatment tables, redefine their professional identity, and secure their place in the healthcare of tomorrow.

Whether you're a clinic owner, practicing PT, or student, or in a non-clinical role, this episode delivers uncomfortable truths alongside actionable insights that could transform your approach to practice. You won’t want to miss it.

Link to the episode transcript here.

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

*affiliate link

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.

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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 mattressesor 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 partnersin patients'/the population's MSK health as opposed to merelyproviders 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:

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.

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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 mattressesor 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 of10 High Impact AI Prompts for PTs here!

Check out his courseAI 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!

Join Dana and Alex as they sit down with rising PT star Cody Lee, PT, DPT, to explore how the next generation of physical therapists is reshaping healthcare delivery. In this engaging conversation, Cody shares his journey as an early-career clinician who's already making waves in the industry with his innovative approach to value-based care.

Key highlights from this episode include:

• How Cody is implementing value-based care principles in his daily practice

• The importance of servant leadership in healthcare

• Real insights into building strong professional communities and mentorship networks

• A candid discussion about the challenges facing new PTs, including the critical issue of education costs versus earning potential

• Vision for the future of physical therapy and strategies for keeping talented clinicians in the field

Whether you're a seasoned PT professional or just starting your career, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating a sustainable and fulfilling practice. Cody's fresh outlook, combined with Alex and Dana's experienced insights, creates a compelling dialogue about where the profession is headed and how we can work together to improve patient care while supporting clinician growth.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation that proves leadership and innovation can come at any stage of your career. This episode will leave you feeling optimistic about the future of physical therapy and equipped with practical ideas for elevating your own practice.

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Chapters

00:00Introduction to Future Proof PT Podcast and Guest Introduction

03:15Cody Lee's Background and Early Career Insights

06:06Value-Based Care in Practice: Patient Stories

09:07Building Referral Networks in Healthcare

12:04Involvement with Alabama Physical Therapy Association

15:02Challenges in the Physical Therapy Profession

18:20Productivity Pressure in Physical Therapy

21:12Leveraging Technology in Patient Care

28:20Enhancing Clinical Reasoning with AI

30:23The Importance of Human Expertise in Therapy

32:24Building Professional Networks and Asking for Help

36:50Patient-Centered Care and Communication

39:01The Philosophy of Servant Leadership

42:44Supporting Young Clinicians in Their Careers

47:28 Navigating Financial Challenges in Physical Therapy

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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:

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

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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:

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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:

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!

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Summary:

In this episode of the Future Proof PT podcast, Dana and Alex delve into the economic implications of healthcare with a focus on musculoskeletal disorders. They discuss the concepts of QALY and DALY, emphasizing the importance of understanding these metrics in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. The hosts highlight the value of physical therapy as an investment in health, the impact of productivity loss due to days away from work, and the need for therapists to embrace technology. They also explore the distinction between patient needs and wants, the importance of patient autonomy, and the role of therapists in the healthcare ecosystem. They conclude with a call to action for therapists to advocate for their profession and build trust within the healthcare community.

Takeaways:

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Thank you for listening!

Alex and Dana

Below by Notion AI from the transcript:

A detailed discussion exploring the complex dynamics of value-based care in the musculoskeletal health sector. The conversation covers patient-reported outcome measures, healthcare system challenges, and the future of healthcare delivery in the United States.

Takeaways from Riverside AI:

Takeaways and Chapters by Riverside AI

AI Show Notes by Riverside FM:

Summary

In this episode, Dana and Alex discuss the complexities of budget resolutions, government spending, and their implications for healthcare, particularly telehealth and physical therapy. They explore the challenges posed by the physician fee schedule, the underutilization of physical therapy, and the importance of alternative payment models in transitioning to value-based care. The conversation emphasizes the need for quality metrics and the potential for a paradigm shift in healthcare funding.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Congressional Changes

01:56 Understanding Alternative Payment Models

04:00 The Impact of Budget Resolutions on Healthcare

06:19 Telehealth and Its Future

08:24 The Physician Fee Schedule and Its Implications

10:02 The Role of Physical Therapy in Primary Care

12:03 Challenges in Establishing Optimal Therapy Practices

14:40 The Future of Physical Therapy in Healthcare

17:56 Understanding CMS and Conversion Factor Cuts

20:18 The Budget Dilemma in Healthcare

22:49 Reimagining the Healthcare System

25:28 Alternative Payment Models Explained

33:44 The Future of Value-Based Care

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Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and if you like an episode, giving it a thumbs up helps us reach more people--PTs, OTs and others in healthcare like our physician colleagues with whom we hope to build teams and collaborate more closely as partners in the care of our patients.

Finally, please consider subscribing to this podcast wherever you like to listen. And the best compliment you could give us is sharing the podcast with your friends and colleagues in healthcare. Spread the word to other healthcare professionals in your network!

Riverside AI was used to generate the below:

Summary

In this episode of Future Proof PT, Dana and Alex delve into the complexities of the physical therapy referral continuum, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare supply chain. They emphasize the importance of understanding the roles of physical therapists, the need for primary care generalists as well as specialization, and the significance of building trust with primary care providers. The conversation also highlights the shift towards value-based care and the potential for physical therapists to engage in the Medicare Shared Savings Programs, ultimately advocating for better patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

"We need to advocate for our patients' needs."

"We need a matchmaker to connect providers."

"Knowledge is out there; we just need to find it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Future Proof PT Podcast

00:50 Exploring the Physical Therapy Supply Chain

04:17 Understanding Referral Continuity and Challenges

08:42 The Role of Physical Therapists in Patient Care

11:22 Navigating the Referral Process and Patient Advocacy

15:35 Building Collaborative Care Networks

19:46 Value-Based Care and Its Implications

23:44 Conclusion and Future Directions

25:57 Building Trust in Healthcare Relationships

27:59 The Importance of Patient Engagement

30:52 The Future of Primary Care

33:25 Creating a Community Resource

35:29 Navigating Medicare Shared Savings Programs

38:32 The Role of Matchmakers in Healthcare

43:49 Learning from Supply Chain Efficiency

47:47 Healthcare Value Week and Community Engagement

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Courtesy of Riverside AI:

Summary

In this episode of the Future Proof PT podcast, Dana and Alex discuss insights from the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) for physical therapists. They explore the essence of physical therapy, the role of technology, the importance of the therapeutic alliance, and the shift towards value-based care. The conversation also delves into the generational divide within the profession, the challenges of career choices, and the need for physical therapists to position themselves within the primary care framework. The episode concludes with reflections on professional growth and the importance of strategic career planning.

Takeaways

-The essence of physical therapy lies in patient-centered care.

-Technology should complement, not replace, the therapeutic alliance.

-The therapeutic alliance is a key predictor of successful outcomes.

-Value-based care models are becoming increasingly important in physical therapy.

-There is a significant tension between the old guard and new guard in the profession.

-Physical therapists need to embrace their role in primary care to enhance their value.

-Career choices should be made with a long-term strategy in mind.

-Saying no to certain opportunities can be as important as saying yes.

-Consistency in care delivery leads to better outcomes.

-Understanding the economic landscape of healthcare is crucial for therapists. 

Sound Bites

"We are the fly in the urinal of healthcare."

"It's a long game, not a short game."

"Saying no is as important as saying yes."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to CSM Insights

02:14 The Essence of Physical Therapy

04:58 Understanding Computer Vision Technology

07:50 The Role of Technology in Patient Engagement

10:10 The Therapeutic Alliance in Physical Therapy

12:49 Value-Based Care and Its Implications

15:28 Challenges in Measuring Therapy Outcomes

18:07 The Future of Physical Therapy Practice

29:51 Transforming Healthcare: The Role of Primary Care

34:19 Innovative Care Models: Lessons from the VA System

41:22 Old Guard vs. New Guard: Navigating Change in PT

49:53 The Future of Physical Therapy: Retaining Talent and Strategy

Note to listeners: We are building this podcast in public. We uploaded the raw episode and copied and pasted Riverside's AI show notes.

Thank you for giving our podcast a try!

In this inaugural podcast episode, hosts Alex Bendersky and Dana Strauss discuss the importance of value-based care in physical therapy and healthcare at large. They explore the concept of value, its implications for patient care, and the need for therapists to understand the healthcare ecosystem. The conversation delves into the pillars of value-based care, including patient-centeredness, adherence to clinical guidelines, measurement of patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The hosts emphasize the importance of evidence-based practice and the need for therapists to advocate for their value in the healthcare system.

Sound Bites

"You are worth what you think you're worth"

"Cost effectiveness is always relative"

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Article discussed in episodes: Archives of Physiotherapy: Providing Value-Based Care at Physiotherapist

Book Alex recommended in the episode: Naked Economics: Addressing the Dismal Science