New poll reveals patients are ready for virtual therapy options to address gaps in healthcare

When it comes to physical and speech-language therapy, how willing are patients to deviate from traditional tools to embrace virtual therapy aids and telehealth? The data from a survey from Constant Therapy Health, makers of mobile therapy app Constant Therapy, reveals that nearly 90 percent of this patient population are interested in using apps as part of their recovery.

The poll, conducted in partnership with Pollfish, surveyed 2,000 people who have experienced physical or speech-language therapy, either through direct, personal treatment or managing the care of a loved one being treated. While most reported using traditional approaches like therapy sessions with a clinician and paper leaflets and booklets for home practice, only about 10 percent had experience using therapy apps.

Cost and convenience are among the top factors driving a shift in attitudes around telehealth for physical and speech-language therapy patients

More than 90 percent of respondents in each group (physical therapy patients and speech-language therapy patients) reported challenges with their course of treatment, ranging from cost to transport to insurance. What’s more: about 60 percent of all respondents experienced disruption of care due to these challenges, such as missed sessions (35 percent), finishing treatment early (over 20 percent) and never having started therapy (6 percent of physical therapy patients, and over 8 percent of speech-language therapy patients).

The vast majority of respondents (96 percent) recognized advantages to using virtual therapy, with time commitment and scheduling (66 percent of physical therapy patients and 57 percent of speech-language therapy patients) and not having to travel (66 percent of physical therapy patients and 59 percent of speech-language patients) being the top draws.

Patients are looking for tools that will alleviate many of their pain points with traditional therapy

It’s vital that healthcare innovators are creating solutions that make clinically proven care more accessible. Like all patients, those in physical and speech therapy should be focused on their health instead of worrying about how they’ll be able to get the medical support they need to recover. Virtual therapy apps help eliminate several barriers of care by delivering it more directly while driving down costs.

Trust in technology is also not a problem with less than 15 percent of both patient groups reporting it as a concern, further signaling that the future of healthcare is here and patients are more than ready. As tech-based care solutions become more prevalent, it is imperative to clearly demonstrate the value of these innovations to all stakeholders. Authentic and durable solutions distinguish themselves by being patient-centered, data-driven, and value-based.