APTA Responds to PHTI Report on Virtual Musculoskeletal Solutions
Alexandria, VA (June 5, 2024) – The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) issued a statement today regarding the Peterson Health Technology Institute’s (PHTI) recent assessment of virtual musculoskeletal solutions. The report reviewed the utilization of physical therapy through digital health technologies in treating conditions like chronic low back pain and other non-surgical musculoskeletal issues.
APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA, expressed the association’s support for PHTI’s work, highlighting the potential of digital health in addressing costly musculoskeletal conditions. “The American Physical Therapy Association commends PHTI’s work and its focus on virtual musculoskeletal solutions, as chronic musculoskeletal conditions are one of the areas of excessive cost to the U.S. health care system that would greatly benefit from reform and investment from policymakers and payers,” Herr stated.
The PHTI report suggests that digital health tools can improve healthcare accessibility and affordability. Crucially, it underscores that solutions guided by physical therapists are the most promising and valuable, surpassing interventions without physical therapist involvement. APTA views this report as a crucial step in advancing cost-effective solutions in healthcare, supporting the idea that early incorporation of physical therapy can lower costs and enhance patient outcomes by leveraging the expertise of physical therapists early in the care process.
APTA emphasizes that virtual care tools can significantly help patients facing barriers to accessing traditional physical therapy. These technologies are not intended to replace in-person care or the expertise of physical therapists and assistants; rather, they are meant to complement and enhance the existing models of care. APTA is hopeful that the report will encourage positive changes in healthcare policy.
APTA insists the digital health tools physical therapists use should be integrated into medical service delivery, not treated as a separate wellness benefit. The current separation of these technologies from the medical model increases healthcare inequities and limits access for many patients. APTA urges payers to reduce administrative burdens on traditional care, create equitable payment policies that ensure patient affordability, and provide fair, sustainable payment for licensed physical therapists, who significantly improve quality of care and patient outcomes.
APTA acknowledges limitations in the PHTI report, including its exclusive focus on virtual physical therapy for musculoskeletal conditions, not generalizing to other conditions, diagnoses, or patient populations; overlooking pre- and post-surgical care; and excluding co-contributing diagnoses frequently treated by physical therapists. However, the report underscores that physical therapy is often underutilized and undervalued. Virtual musculoskeletal solutions, guided by physical therapists, could drive necessary reforms to provide high-quality, accessible, and affordable care, advancing patient health.
Contact: news@apta.org
Content Type: Statement
