How a physical therapist can use AI, task by task

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Situation: [condition or project, no names]
Options: [list]

Compare options and risks; list information needed. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Technique: [manual therapy, traction, exercise]
Goals: [pain, mobility]

List steps, dosage and progression notes. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Treatment: [type]
Measures: [what I track]

Suggest outcome measures, review intervals and what results mean for adjusting treatment. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Case: [general, no identifiers]
Question: [what you need from colleagues]

Prepare a summary, the question and options. Then play the colleague. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to direct, supervise, assess, and communicate with supportive personnel.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Team: [aides, assistants]
Issue or goal: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to test and measure patient's strength, motor development and function, sensory perception, functional capacity, or respiratory or circulatory efficiency and record data.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Test: [EKG, spirometry, strength test]
Patient group: [general description]

Write plain-language instructions for patients, a step checklist to compare with protocol, and signs to stop the test.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to provide information to the patient about the proposed intervention, its material risks and expected benefits, and any reasonable alternatives.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Procedure or result: [describe generally, no patient details]
Who: [patient, family]

Prepare a calm explanation, risks in plain words, and answers to likely fears. Then play the patient.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to administer treatment involving application of physical agents, using equipment, moist packs, ultraviolet or infrared lamps, or ultrasound machines.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Technique: [manual therapy, traction, exercise]
Goals: [pain, mobility]

List steps, dosage and progression notes. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to discharge patient from physical therapy when goals or projected outcomes have been attained and provide for appropriate follow-up care or referrals.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Situation: [general, no patient details]
Options: [specialists, services]

List red flags and criteria for referral, and what to include in the referral. I decide.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to inform patients and refer to appropriate practitioners when diagnosis reveals findings outside physical therapy.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Situation: [general, no patient details]
Options: [specialists, services]

List red flags and criteria for referral, and what to include in the referral. I decide.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to refer clients to community resources or services.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Situation: [general, no patient details]
Options: [specialists, services]

List red flags and criteria for referral, and what to include in the referral. I decide.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to evaluate, fit, or adjust prosthetic or orthotic devices or recommend modification to orthotist.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Device: [prosthesis, orthotic]
Fit issues: [general description]

List fitting checks and adjustment steps. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Device: [support, protection]
Specs: [describe]

List build steps and safety checks. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

I work as a physical therapist. Part of my job is to direct group rehabilitation activities.

Context: The work draws on therapy and counseling, medicine and dentistry and biology.
Program: [describe]
Team: [describe]

Help me prepare: the key message in 2 sentences, what good looks like, how people might react and how I'll respond, and one thing I'll check next week.