COVID-19 and the Advancement of Digital Physical Therapist Practice and Telehealth

uring the COVID-19 pandemic, each day challenges us with sobering realities in the economy, health care, and politics in our society. 1 The global pandemic has thrust the physical therapy profession and our society into digital physical therapist practice and telehealth. In light of the uncertainty with COVID-19, physical therapists are required to socially distance themselves at least 6 feet apart in health care institutions, and patients and clients cannot access necessary physical therapy services in the community due to shelter-in-place and stay-at-home restrictions. Furthermore, this unique situation magnifies the challenges and opportunities in digital practice, as practitioners may lack the necessary telehealth competencies identified in the literature. 2,3 Therefore, it is especially important for physical therapy practitioners to consider key recommendations for safe and effective digital practice delivery.