How to Become a Telehealth Physiotherapist

Telehealth physiotherapy, also known as telerehabilitation, is revolutionizing the way we provide healthcare by breaking down barriers of physical distance and accessibility. In the past, many of you have expressed curiosity about getting started with tele-rehab, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover the essential framework on how to become a telehealth physiotherapist. Let’s dive in!

What is Telehealth physiotherapy? 

Telehealth physiotherapy harnesses the power of advanced communication technologies to deliver remote healthcare services. In other words, telehealth physiotherapists can perform assessments, diagnose conditions, and create personalized treatment plans without being limited by geographic boundaries using secure video conferencing platforms, online tools, and remote monitoring devices.

How to Become a Telehealth PT 

Becoming a telehealth physiotherapist requires a strategic approach that combines education, experience, and adaptability. Here are the essential steps to embark on this rewarding career path:

Education: The good news is that your physiotherapy education is more than enough to get you started. That means you do not need a separate degree to become a telehealth physiotherapist. 

Experience: Whether you plan to fly solo or join a telerehabilitation company, you must gain experience to get started. 

Practice with a friend first and see if you can perform thorough assessment and treatment virtually. (Just like how we used to practice manual therapy techniques with our batchmates in college). Start by treating simple cases when you are ready to treat patients. Simple cases of musculoskeletal pain are often easy to get started with. 

Reach out to your friends, relatives, and neighbors. Mention that you are offering telerehabilitation services. Similarly, spread the word on your social media handles, website. Start treating more and more patients and learn along the way.

Adaptability: Embrace telehealth technology. Learn about different platforms, camera angles, and effective ways of communication. Get comfortable with a hands-off treatment approach. 

As with in-person physiotherapy treatment, always keep legal and ethical considerations in mind!

Becoming a telehealth physiotherapy solopreneur

As a telehealth physiotherapist, you have the option to establish your own telehealth practice as a solopreneur. This path offers numerous benefits, including:

• Autonomy: You have full control over your schedule, patient load, and treatment approach.
• Flexibility: Work from the comfort of your home or any location with an internet connection, allowing for a better work-life balance.
• Entrepreneurial Opportunities: Build your brand and grow your practice independently, potentially increasing your earning potential.

Read Meghana’s spotlight, founder of HealthQ rehab to understand her journey as a Telehealth Physiotherapy Entrepreneur. 

Joining a Telerehabilitation company 

On the other hand, you may choose to join emerging telehealth companies. Working for a company provides several advantages:

• Established Patient Base: Companies often have an existing clientele, ensuring a steady stream of patients for you to work with.
• Administrative Support: Let the company handle administrative tasks, allowing you to focus solely on patient care.
• Collaborative Environment: Interact with other healthcare professionals, fostering a sense of teamwork and collective knowledge sharing.

Read these spotlights of PTs working for different Telerehabilitation companies in India: 

Adult Neuro-Rehab Expert at Health Q Rehab | Dr. Krina Ved (PT)

Consultant Physiotherapist & Scientific Lead at Fitterfly | Madhura Bhagat

Telehealth Companies in India

(Please note that even though I update this list often, it may not include all the companies)

• HealthQ Rehab 
• Fix Health (Previously known as YourPhysio)
• FlexifyMe
• Fitterfly 
• HealthifyMe
• ReLiva Physiotherapy and Rehab

How to land a job as a Telehealth Physiotherapist in a company

Tailored Resume: As I mentioned earlier, start gaining experience even before you apply. Add some telehealth physiotherapy experience to your resume to increase the chances of your resume getting picked.

Networking: Connect with professionals in the telehealth industry through online platforms such as LinkedIn, conferences, and networking events. Networking can open doors to potential job opportunities.

Show Initiative: Demonstrate your interest in telehealth by staying updated with industry trends. Keep an eye out on the ‘careers’ page on the company website. Additionally, keep checking on LinkedIn/ Glassdoor for job openings. Also, maintain a professional online presence. 

Pros and Cons of Becoming a Telehealth Physiotherapist

Pros: 

• No special education is needed. You just need to get used to telerehabilitation and technology.
• It is time-efficient. Reduced travel time allows you to see more patients in a day.
• You can improve the reach of your therapy services.

Cons: 

• A lack of a hands-on approach may make some physiotherapists uncomfortable treating patients.
• More research is needed in determining efficacy over traditional PT.
• Desk job, sitting for long hours.

Resources

Here are some of the resources to help you become a telehealth physiotherapist. 

• Telehealth Certification program by Medbridge! ( Use the code PTCAREERPATHS to get upto 40% discount on Medbridge subscription)
• Telehealth in practice by APTA
• You can also reach out to Sara Ansari, who educates PTs about telerehabilitation. 

After all, becoming a telehealth physiotherapist offers an exciting avenue to leverage technology in enhancing patient care and accessibility. Whether you want to work on your own or join a telehealth company, there are plenty of opportunities for passionate and innovative physiotherapists in this field. To succeed, be open to change, keep learning, and embrace the potential of telehealth. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out for a one-on-one career consultation to explore your options and carve a successful and fulfilling career in this transformative field of healthcare.