Occupational therapists (OTs) are like chameleons. We’re adaptable, baby!

We have defined scopes of practice but can and will adapt to different roles, settings, and opportunities, all in the pursuit of helping people live their lives to the fullest.

OTs (in my opinion and from experience) have classically been left behind or left out of innovations in healthcare. Well, that is not going to work for us anymore. 

As an OT with 10+ years of clinical and corporate experience, I am fortunate to be a contributor to the digital health revolution. This revolution isn’t just about gadgets and algorithms—it’s about putting people at the center of technology.

OTs bring an exquisite lens to this space, combining clinical expertise with a focus on function and patient engagement. 

I’m sharing three ways OTs make waves in digital health, giving examples for each and explaining why it matters. Let’s go 🏁

1. Designing Evidence-Based Education

Applied knowledge is the building block of what keeps our world running—especially in healthcare. Patients must clearly understand what you’re teaching them, why it matters, and what to do with that knowledge.

So many times, healthcare providers can get in their own way (this topic could have its own newsletter issue) when delivering efficient, clear, and actionable education that helps patients change their behaviors, such as medication and exercise adherence.

OTs can contribute their expertise to developing digitally accessible, patient-first education and therapeutic protocols that help patients take charge of their health. We approach our patients' worlds through a person-first, occupation-based lens. 

OTs can strategically serve in digital healthcare on many fronts. For example, my work over the past few years (and more recently in the past year) has involved developing evidence-driven care programs with exercises, education, patient-reported outcomes, outreach, and more in close partnership with our Product and Business teams. 

My favorite project at work thus far has been creating a holistic Fall Prevention program in collaboration with physical therapists Mike Studer and Marina Wingood (GOATS!), experts in the geriatric physical rehabilitation space.

• Example: Developing a video course on sensory processing disorders with hands-on strategies for therapists and families.

• Why It Matters: These resources empower clinicians to stay up-to-date and patients to feel confident in their care, making a difference on both sides of the therapy relationship.

2. Building Virtual Therapy Tools

Regarding therapy tools, one-size-fits-all is out; one-size-fits-one is in. But how do you make that scalable?

That’s where OTs step in, leveraging their expertise to design digital platforms and programs that meet patients' diverse needs. Whether it’s gamified rehab exercises or progress-monitoring apps, OTs ensure these tools are clinically effective, engaging, and tailored to real-life functionality. 

You’ve probably heard phrases like: “OTs put the fun in function.” They don’t say that for nothing.

By collaborating with developers, we help create tools that feel personal and intuitive.

• Example: Shaping a digital rehab program for pelvic floor dysfunction with progressive exercises and real-time progress data. 

• Why It Matters: Patients stay motivated with fun, engaging tools while clinicians get the data they need to monitor their patients and continue providing the right level of care to their patients.

3. Driving Value-Based Care with Patient-Centered Solutions

Value-based care focuses on improving patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. Dana Strauss, a contributor to the OT Potential, describes value-based care as “quality over quantity.”

This is a big deal. 

The U.S. is a world outlier regarding healthcare spending and pays more for its care than any other country. Therefore, it’s about time value-based care paves the way to better care.

OTs are beautifully positioned to design programs and digital tools that support this shift in healthcare by emphasizing function, quality of life, and prevention. 

Patient empowerment is the cherry on the ice cream cake in value-based care. OTs are skilled educators and can create user-friendly apps, video tutorials, or online modules to help patients manage chronic conditions or implement home modifications. 

By combining their understanding of behavioral change with tech tools, OTs ensure that patients get the most out of their care. 

• Example: Creating a digital platform to track a patient’s ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) or implementing personalized care plans for post-surgical recovery.

• Why It Matters: As healthcare continues shifting toward value-based models, OTs’ can leverage their holistic, client-centered approach to help digital health companies deliver measurable outcomes, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction.

Next up is my checklist for creating programs and tools that align with value-based care principles.

By following this checklist, OTs can confidently design digital health tools and programs that meet value-based care standards and make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.

Here is the downloadable PDF if that’s your jam or continue reading below.

Value-Based Care Program Development Checklist

Goal: Ensure your program or tool is patient-centered, outcome-focused, and cost-efficient, aligning with the principles of value-based care (VBC).

1. Define Clear Patient-Centered Goals

• Identify functional outcomes that matter to patients (e.g., independence in daily living, pain reduction, restoration of participation in social and family activities).

• Consult with patient focus groups (hello user testing!) or surveys to understand their needs and priorities.

• Incorporate shared decision-making by involving patients in goal-setting.

2. Prioritize Prevention and Early Intervention

• Develop tools or content that address modifiable risk factors (e.g., fall prevention, ergonomic education).

• Include screening features to identify early warning signs (e.g., fatigue, reduced mobility).

• Focus on empowering patients with preventive strategies through education and tools.

3. Optimize Functional Outcomes

• Tailor programs to specific ADLs or IADLs.

• Use real-life scenarios or simulations to improve the transfer of skills.

• Design tasks and exercises to reflect meaningful, occupation-based activities.

4. Design for Measurable Results

• Establish metrics to track success (e.g., patient-reported outcomes and adherence rates).

• Include data collection features, such as progress trackers or feedback forms.

• Use standardized outcome measures, like the ICIQ-UI SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form) or COPM (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure).

5. Integrate Technology Thoughtfully

• Ensure tools are intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly for patients of all ages and abilities. Think about digital and health literacy!

• Include digital features that enhance care, such as telehealth access, gamification, or real-time progress monitoring.

• Leverage data analytics to provide clinicians with actionable insights.

6. Empower Patients Through Education and Engagement

• Create clear, evidence-based educational materials that are accessible (e.g., videos, infographics, or guides).

• Offer multilingual or culturally sensitive content where needed.

• Use tools that promote self-efficacy, such as interactive goal-setting modules or symptom trackers.

7. Foster Collaboration Across Teams

• Involve interdisciplinary teams (e.g., physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, physicians) in program development.

• Align care plans with other providers to ensure holistic, coordinated care.

• Build communication tools for collaboration, such as patient progress dashboards or shared notes.

8. Ensure Accessibility and Scalability

• Design programs/tools that accommodate varying levels of ability and resources.

• Offer both in-person and virtual options to expand access.

• Make materials scalable to serve diverse populations (e.g., rural communities and underserved groups).

9. Align with Cost Efficiency

• Incorporate features that reduce healthcare utilization (e.g., avoidable ER visits, hospital readmissions).

• Build programs that require fewer resources while maintaining quality outcomes.

• Ensure insurance reimbursement by aligning with CPT codes and regulatory standards.

10. Test, Iterate, and Validate

• Conduct pilot programs with small patient groups to gather feedback.

• Collect qualitative and quantitative data to refine the tool or program.

• Validate clinical effectiveness with research or case studies before scaling.

🧠 Unhinged: Thoughts

I LOVE my Whoop and no, this is not an ad. I got it right before the New Year because I wanted to put my rear in gear and improve my health, notably my sleep.

I have also become a runner (again), and my Whoop makes me feel like an athlete. I aim to run a 10k in March and a half marathon by summertime.

To actually make it to my goal sans overtraining, I am relying on my Whoop to track my strain and recovery so I can work smarter, not harder.

Take care, and see you next week.

Erika