In-Clinic Physical Therapy V/S Virtual Physical Therapy

We’re a generation called the “Gen-Z” where everything is brought to us through the internet by a touch on the screen. Be it ordering food and clothes, finding means of transport, listening to songs, watching movies, and the list goes on. But we still have difficulty wrapping our heads around the fact that physical therapy can be provided online too.

Yes, you read that right. With the development of cutting-edge technology, this has happened as well. There exist exceptional physical therapy software or virtual therapy software that can help you meet your fitness goals from your home. Also, if you’re a physical therapist reading this article, we have a lot in store for you. With virtual therapy software, you can attend to patients and train them through a screen without even having a clinic or spending another penny on infrastructure. So, let’s learn about virtual physical therapy and also weigh the pros and cons against in-clinic physical therapy.

What Is Online Video Physical Therapy Consultation?

Like all the other fields that have witnessed a technical boost, so has the medical industry. In the healthcare sector, virtual physical therapy is when medical practitioners like physical therapists treat their patients virtually through a screen with the help of virtual therapy EMR software. Even though most of us are still familiar with the concept of in-clinic physical therapy, online video consultations got their hype post-pandemic.

So, as of now, many physical therapists have signed up for physical therapy clinic software that gives them an edge in the industry. With physical therapy software like SmartPT, they can schedule their patients in no time, have all their teams on the same page with a cloud-based system, bring in more patients via online video consultation, and much more. In more detail, let’s look at the benefits of virtual and in-clinic physical therapy.

Benefits of Virtual Physical Therapy

#1. Boost in patient satisfaction

We all know that in any sector, client satisfaction is directly proportional to the success rate of a business. Similarly, if your patients are happy with your treatment plan, there is a much greater possibility that they will stick with you for a longer period of time.  Physical therapy software like SmartPT even increases your target audience to the patients who were not able to come down to your clinic for treatment due to an injury or a chronic illness or maybe just due to a lack of transport facilities.

#2. Improve patient results

Patients have more direct control over their care plans and treatment outcomes thanks to telehealth. This aids therapists in developing a treatment plan that is in line with the patient’s goals. Additionally, SmartPT, an exceptional virtual therapy software, aids therapists in prescribing home exercise plans (HEPs) and particular movements through a tool, allowing patients to continue the exercises whenever they want in the comfort of their own homes.

#3. Cuts infrastructural costs

These days, you require an alluring infrastructure along with a huge marketing scheme to attract patients to your clinic. However, with virtual therapy EMR software like SmartPT, you don’t have to worry about spending your hard-earned money on making your clinic appealing. Instead, you can opt for online consultation and assign your patients home exercise plans, and both parties can be benefitted at once.

Benefits of In-clinic Physical Therapy

#1. Specialised equipment

If you are visiting a physical therapy clinic, you’d have access to a lot of equipment and large floor space that would not have been available at your home. Also, if you need specialised equipment and intensive therapy like water aerobics, static cycling, etc., visiting a clinic would be more beneficial for you.

#2. A physical therapist in vicinity

At times or in certain situations, you might not require a physical therapist but just at the time of your session. For such cases, in-clinic physical therapy can be more advantageous as compared to virtual physical therapy.

#3. Particular time slots at work

When you have a running physical therapy clinic, you have particular time slots when you’d be available, and for the rest of the day, you can have that time away from work. Whereas with physical therapy software, patients can be in touch with you 24/7. Even though it is beneficial for the patient, your family life may get a backseat.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, both the models of physical therapy, i.e. in-clinic and virtual, have their own advantages and disadvantages. Even though it is up to you which model to choose, we’d recommend that you opt for a hybrid model wherein you can take the benefits of virtual therapy software and in-clinic at the same time for the best results.