Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

David Relling

Keywords

Telehealth, Physical Therapy, Workforce, North Dakota

Abstract

Physical Therapists (PT’s) are important healthcare providers for individuals of all ages, ailments, and provide both prevention and care of disease and injury. Traditionally, physical therapists work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, sports/outpatient clinics, and privately-owned clinics, to name a few. There are approximately 7.2 physical therapists for every 10,000 people nationwide. However, the geographical distribution and practice settings of PT’s can greatly vary throughout each state, county, and region. This varying distribution of PT’s creates one of the biggest limitations surrounding the field of PT which is decreased access to physical therapy services in rural communities. According to biennial reports from the North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy between 2018 and 2022, approximately 33% of North Dakota’s PT’s report working in rural areas. To amplify this issue, a vast majority of the population of these rural communities is comprised of geriatric or older individuals who benefit from PT services. North Dakota's unique rural demographics and long distances to urban areas makes alternate care models like telehealth a very plausible option to meet the needs of its residents and fill the gaps where in-person PT services may not be available. The utilization of telehealth for PT and other healthcare services has exponentially increased since 2020 due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The utilization of telehealth is expected to continue to increase in all PT settings, especially the pediatric setting. Physical therapists report they are twice as likely to treat the youth population through the use of telehealth. Telehealth services are especially beneficial to pediatric patients with chronic conditions, who may need specialized and frequent care that is difficult to achieve in a rural population. Telehealth services provide an outlet for better convenience and availability to families of pediatric patients.

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