Statement of Support

The Academy of Neurological Physical Therapy is committed to helping the profession of physical therapy promote availability of telehealth rehabilitation and wellness services for individuals living with a neurological condition or injury. Telehealth is the electronic provision of health care and information services for the direct benefit of individual patients and care partners. Telehealth can refer to a broader array of services using both synchronous and asynchronous technologies, including:

Physical therapists provide services using telehealth as part of their scope of practice, incorporating elements of patient and client management as needed, to enhance patient and client interactions.

The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy supports: 

• Inclusion of physical therapist services in telehealth policy and regulation on the national and state levels to help society address the growing cost of health services, the disparity in accessibility of specialized neurologic rehabilitation services, and the potential impact of health workforce shortages.1
• Advancement of physical therapy telehealth practice, education, and research to enhance the quality and accessibility of physical therapist services.1
• Expansion of broadband access to provide all members of society the opportunity to receive services delivered via electronic means.1
• Integration of services for development of preventative health screenings and wellness programs with emphasis on enhancing patient self-efficacy in health management of neurological conditions.
• Utilization of telehealth services to enhance care coordination, patient-practitioner collaboration, and continuity of care for individuals with neurologic condition.
• Delivery of telehealth services as one method of care delivery and/or reasonable alternative to augment access to care and specialized services to further, improve meaningful health outcomes and population health and value-based care.

APTA. (2019).  TELEHEALTH HOD P06‐19‐15‐09 [Initial: HOD P06‐14‐07‐07] [Position]. Accessed September 2021.