6:00 pm — “How Online Physical Therapy Works: Is it Effective?”:

Presenter: Dr. Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT

Descriptive Summary:
Physical Therapy is the treatment of a disease or injury using physical methods. Physical methods include hands on application, strengthening, stability or stretching exercises, neuromuscular re-education and modalities. Physical Therapy is considered conservative care and can help people recover from injury or manage a condition without the use of drugs or other invasive treatments. Physical Therapy is typically done in person at a clinic, in the hospital, in the person’s home or over telehealth. Telehealth visits or consultations over audio or video calls have increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic which restricted people’s ability to receive treatment in person. Telehealth is done over the internet using multiple platforms to connect with the patient. Platforms should be HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act) compliant and scheduling is similar to in person visits. Telehealth is a lesser known avenue of receiving physical therapy but has increased in use due to the pandemic. Telehealth can be hugely beneficial for patients in helping them manage and recover from illness or injury, reduce pain, maintain/restore motion, strength and flexibility, avoid surgery and prevent reinjury.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. Define Physical Therapy and identify the subtypes;
2. Understand how Telehealth works;
3. Understand the differences between in-person versus telehealth;
4. Understand the benefits of Telehealth

7:30 pm — “The Challenge of Change: Post-COVID-19 Physical Therapy”:

Presenter: Dr. Dakshesh Sanghavi, PT, DPT, MS

Descriptive Summary:
“Change is the only constant” – is an oft used adage that COVID-19 proved was so accurate.

This presentation will provide an overview of the disruption to Physical Therapy practice that COVID-19 epidemic has caused. It will also discuss the ways in which physical therapist services were changed and how the practitioners have adapted and altered their approach. Rising stress, decreased caseloads, utilizing PPE and adopting telehealth are all changes that the pandemic urged us to adopt and adapt. Telehealth usage zoomed drastically in healthcare and PTs were quick to join this trend and effectively use it to provide much needed care to the patients.

Also discussed will be several outcome measures that APTA has formed to describe the trajectory of recovery from COVID-19.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:

1. Be aware 1. Be aware of how COVID-19 has disrupted Physical Therapy practice;
2. Understand practice and workforce limitations that COVID-19 imposed;
3. Understand Telehealth and its implications to PT practice;
4. Be aware of Core Outcome Measures that APTA has developed to assess impact of PT on patients with COVID-19.

9:00 pm — Participants receive program evaluation information