September 9, 2024 – Our coordinator of physiotherapists talks about the evolution of the profession in light of technological advancements
Sunday marked World Physiotherapy Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the vital role of physiotherapists in promoting health and well-being. For us, it provided an opportunity to engage in a conversation with Luca Colombo, the coordinator of physiotherapists at the Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Research Innovation Institute. We discussed how this profession has evolved in response to significant technological advancements innovation in Rehabilitation Medicine. Here’s what we learned.
- The physiotherapist must ‘chew’ a bit of technology. The initial setup of devices is always the responsibility of bioengineers, based on the physician’s prescriptions. However, the ongoing use of this equipment should encourage the physiotherapist to deepen their understanding of the technology, to the extent that they can independently modify some parameters. For instance, when utilizing electrostimulation, the physiotherapist should be capable of adjusting the position of the electrodes or the intensity of the current, tailoring these settings to the patient’s rehabilitation journey.
- Never forget that patient feedback is essential. If a relationship of trust is not established between the patient and the technology, it is unlikely to yield the desired results. It is the physiotherapist’s responsibility to determine whether the patient has confidence in the device, and thus, attentive listening and observation remain fundamental.
- Where can one acquire all this knowledge? Unfortunately, it is not typically taught at universities and often not even during internships at various healthcare facilities. Currently, the only opportunity for a physiotherapist to develop technological expertise is within a neurorehabilitation center that emphasizes a high rate of technological innovation.
