Are Physios Tech Luddites?
I have torn my ACL 3 times. For various reasons I hated the rehab journey and started a tech company to help others going through it.
- Was it a crazy decision?
- Should I have just carried on with life?
- Am I being too optimistic that I can change the norm?
- Let's find out!
There are 1.71billion[1] individuals who face MSK issues globally, 8.75million[2] in the UK suffer from joint related problems, 5.4million[3] with knee osteoarthritis, 364,000 were last on the Physiotherapy waiting list in the UK[4] and notably the NHS faces a 12,000 physiotherapist workforce gap[5].
Telerehabilitation globally is growing at 13.7% annually[6]. That generally means one thing; clinical adoption of technology is key. So a big question looms: Are Physios cynics who are resisting the inevitable?
Being an Outsider
For context, I am not a Physiotherapist. I am a patient who has experienced years in the rehab room, using different tech, or in many cases none at all (not necessarily a bad thing). I've experienced the good, the bad and the useless. I have developed an appreciation for the role a Physio plays outside of clinical outcomes. Heck, the Physio who spent 3 months with me after my second operation is now one of my closest friends today. It's a relationship. You teach me about my injury, you show me that you care, I take a bigger interest and endeavour to adhere consistently. That's the plot.
For an outsider like me, it is a huge risk entering an industry when you have no network, reputation or trust. Over the past year, I´ve dedicated myself to mitigating those aspects as a technology innovator. Speaking to hundreds of Physios and spending endless hours cold messaging people. An incredibly arduous process through which I continue to learn what motivates and moves Physios daily.
So back to my question… the short answer is yes, a majority of Physios are tech-cynics. You can fight me on that, but before you bite, I’m not saying it’s necessarily a bad thing!