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How AI Scribing Makes Hiring PTs Easier

Author: Kelly Brown, Director, Client Success

The demands on rehab therapists have increased significantly and aren't limited to patient care. It also encompasses a range of administrative tasks that can be time-consuming and mentally exhausting. As the industry struggles with recruitment and retention challenges, especially in light of a growing aging population, the question arises: how can technology alleviate some of these pressures and enhance job satisfaction among clinicians? This blog post explores the role of technology, specifically AI scribing and practice analytics, in improving a clinic's recruitment of new therapists, the role of AI tools in therapists' productivity, satisfaction, and retention, and how these factors ultimately contribute to better patient satisfaction.

Recruitment and Retention Challenges in Physical Therapy

WebPT reported in 2023 that 11.4% of the physical therapy workforce left their roles in 2022, and 66.6% of respondents in their survey reported considering some career professional change. Of those considering a change, 21% were considering a non-clinical role, and 15.5% were considering leaving healthcare altogether. 

While the physical demands of the job are self-evident, often requiring therapists to spend long hours on their feet guiding patients through exercises and rehabilitation programs, the administrative burden associated with documentation, scheduling, and compliance with regulatory requirements is reported by PTs as a major contributor to burnout. The amount of time spent on non-clinical tasks detracts from the time PTs can spend with patients and creates a need for therapists to send extra time in the evenings and on weekends catching up on their notes.

The Role of AI in Recruiting and Retaining Rehab Therapists

One of the most promising technological advancements in the rehab therapy industry is the introduction of AI-powered scribing tools. AI scribing can significantly reduce the administrative burden on therapists by automating the documentation process. Instead of spending hours entering patient notes and updating records, PTs can rely on AI scribes to capture and transcribe conversations during patient sessions in real time. This technology saves time and improves the accuracy of documentation, ensuring that all necessary details are recorded without manual entry errors.

The leading AI scribes on the market also account for compliance requirements and CPT coding guidance, making it easy for clinicians to make the right decisions as they document the care they provide. This further streamlines a therapist’s administrative tasks, reducing the likelihood they’ll get a denial from improper documentation and speeding their ability to document a patient visit compliantly. 

So, what does this have to do with recruiting great therapists? A lot. New and experienced clinicians are looking for employers committed to providing the tools, training, and resources to help them do their jobs effectively and efficiently. The availability of AI scribing tools can be a significant draw, particularly for new therapists who have likely been exposed to them in the training process or have already experimented with them. The promise of reduced paperwork and more time for patient care makes positions at tech-forward clinics more attractive to prospective employees. This technology can also be a powerful tool for retaining current staff. By alleviating one of the most significant sources of job dissatisfaction—excessive administrative work—AI scribing helps prevent burnout, leading to higher job satisfaction and, consequently, higher retention rates.

Better PT Retention Drives Higher Patient Satisfaction

Retaining therapists is crucial for the clinicians' well-being and patient satisfaction. Patients receiving outpatient physical therapy with a consistent care team are 3x more likely to be satisfied with their care than those who see multiple PTs. High turnover rates among PTs can disrupt the continuity of care, leading to inconsistent treatment plans and a lack of trust between patients and therapists. When patients have to switch therapists frequently, they may feel less confident in their care and less motivated to follow through with treatment plans.

Conversely, retaining experienced and satisfied therapists leads to better patient outcomes. Continuity of care is essential in rehab therapy, where progress is often gradual and requires ongoing assessment and adjustment of treatment plans. When therapists are retained, they can develop deeper relationships with their patients, better understand their needs and preferences, and tailor treatment plans more effectively. This consistency and personalized care contribute to higher patient satisfaction and, ultimately, better clinical outcomes.

Four Ways to Leverage Your AI Scribing Technology in Recruiting

If your organization is leveraging AI scribing, here are some ways to incorporate this into your recruiting process:

  • Put it in every rehab therapy job posting. Including your organization's hiring differentiators is standard practice, so whether you typically include this information before or after the job requirements and candidate must-haves, be sure that next to your 401k, PTO, health benefits, etc. you highlight your organization's use of AI scribing. 
  • Post it on your social media accounts, specifically on LinkedIn. Job seekers often start their search for a new role on LinkedIn and other social media channels. Incorporate your organization's use of AI scribing into your regular social rotation and consider leveraging real feedback and comments from your current therapists. 
  • Put it on the careers page of your website. We have a "Why PredictionHealth?" on the careers page of our website; you should have something similar. Just as you include your organization's use of AI scribing in your job descriptions, include this as one of the reasons rehab therapists should choose you over other clinics that are hiring for similar positions. 
  • Equip your recruiters with easy talking points about AI scribing. Make sure your recruiting team knows how to talk about AI scribing. They don't need to know how to use it or have any technical knowledge, but they should be versed on the benefits of AI scribing and the feedback from your team. Things like, "our therapists don't take their notes home because we use AI scribing," or "our therapists complete their notes in half the time because we give every therapist access to AI scribing."    

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