Reflections on the 2023 APTA Future of PT Summit

Dear Academy of Leadership and Innovation (ALI) Members,

Both Mary and I were tasked by Academy of Leadership and Innovation (ALI) President, Matt Mesibov, to inform our ALI members about our recent visit to American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) headquarters in Washington D.C. for the 2023 Future of Physical Therapy Summit on July 21, 2023.

This year’s Future of Physical Therapy Summit showcased an inspiring array of pioneering clinicians, researchers, and industry leading tech developers, as well as featuring several APTA’s Academy Presidents, including ALI President Matt Mesibov and Private Practice President Mike Horsfield, to discuss opportunities and barriers to innovative PT practice.

Speakers shared details about their challenges and successes navigating innovation in patient care, industry leadership, and product research and development. The Summit opened with a keynote from Maj. Danielle Anderson, PT, DPT, DSc currently providing care to NASA astronauts while optimizing human performance before, during, and after spaceflight. Stage presentations from Penumbra, ViFive, ATDev, VALD, Physitrack, and Prediction Health shared exciting new developments with virtual reality, exoskeletons, exercise engagement, and AI that were specifically designed to augment the clinician’s ability to improve patient outcomes through technological advancement. The devices’ potential impact on non-pharmacological pain management, mobility enhancement, patient engagement, and objective clinical profile assessments was exciting. Attendees were inspired to be good stewards of innovation in the PT space by consistently reflecting on opportunities to leave our profession better than we found it, knowing that we each possess the ability to contribute in our own unique way. Breaktimes were abuzz with professional networking, discussions, and interactive learning via use of the tech that was presented. And, APTA’s Five Bright Ideas videos featured embracing inclusion, social immersion, expanding your network, trying something new, thinking globally, and partnering with research. The Summit closed with a keynote from Conor Walsh, PhD, discussing his perspectives on multidisciplinary approaches that can ultimately lead to translation of new technologies with clinical collaboration. 

After the Summit, I realized how important the ALI’s vision to inspire PT professional transformation beyond clinical excellence to improve the human experience. Our PT association needs your expertise and values to realize our vision and ALI’s mission to promote health equity and value in healthcare through best practices in advocacy, leadership, and innovation. As Mary notes “Innovation,” is to some energizing, to others, it may be terrifying, but regardless of our associated comfort level with innovation, it’s what allows us to grow as clinicians and to adapt to the ever-changing demands placed on our profession. It has the potential to enhance the efficacy of our service delivery and to ultimately enable us to remain relevant in the health and wellness arena. 

For me, innovation is what the ALI does best. For example, ALI’s TechnoPalooza at the annual APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) hosted by the Technology Special Interest Group continues to grow in its 14^th year.

As ALI’s launches its new website in September, 2023, I would like to invite you to engage with us, seek out many opportunities at ALI and join us at TechnoPalooza 14 at CSM in Boston. With those of you who are interested in exploring the latest technology impacting practice of physical therapy, together we can lead in transformation and innovation of physical therapy.

Sincerely,

Alan Chong W. Lee, PT, PhD, DPT
ALI Technology Special Interest Group Director

Mary Saylor, PT, RAC-CT | Medical Review and Denials Manager
ALI Policy and Innovative Practice Committee