Beyond recovery: How rehab therapists are advancing health equity

Rehab therapy is evolving, and so is the role of the therapist. Today, physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are doing more than helping clients recover. They’re stepping up as advocates for change, playing a critical role in expanding access to care and advancing health equity. This shift is opening doors to new ways of helping current and future clients, and it’s changing the role of therapists in the process. 

If you’re wondering what’s next for the field and what it means for your practice, here’s a breakdown of the big changes and how you can be a part of them. 

What is health equity, and why does it matter? 

Health equity means making sure everyone has a fair shot at living their healthiest life through the fair distribution of resources. But barriers like housing, income, education, and transportation can make it harder for people to access therapy or stick to care plans. These barriers, known as social determinants of health (SDoH), impact health just as much as treatment plans do. 

Rehabilitative therapists are in a special position to make a real difference here. You have a sneak peek into clients’ personal lives, and you can spot the barriers others might miss. Whether it’s working around limited resources for at home exercises or navigating transportation issues, you’re on the front lines of health equity every day. 

Key changes shaping the future of rehab therapy 

Here are some of the ways rehabilitative care is evolving to address health equity and how you can make a difference. 

Tapping into telehealth’s true potential 

Telehealth has reshaped healthcare delivery, and its potential continues to grow. For rehab therapy, telehealth is proving invaluable in bridging gaps, particularly for clients who might otherwise struggle to attend therapy sessions. 

Telehealth extends care to rural communities, where clients may live hours away from the nearest practice. It also benefits those with mobility issues, limited access to transportation, or demanding caregiving responsibilities that make it hard to travel. What’s key is that interventions through telehealth aren’t just convenient, they’re effective. Tools like home exercise programs (HEP) and digital data collection apps help maintain the quality of virtual visits by enabling therapists to monitor progress, adjust treatment plans in real-time, and provide direct feedback. 

With integrated HEP, clients can demonstrate movements during virtual sessions, and therapists can provide live corrections to improve safety and effectiveness. For example, older adults recovering from injury can practice home exercises under guidance, learning better ways to adapt the exercises to their personal space without falling or hurting themselves. Or take pediatric clients as another example. Therapists are coaching parents on how to embed therapy into play at home, fostering engagement and consistency. 

If you haven’t already, resources like the HHS provide additional guidance on adopting telehealth, including billing and legal consideration.  

The rise of whole-person care 

Whole-person care puts the focus on treating the individual, not just the condition. For rehabilitative therapy, this approach means looking beyond the immediate injury or disorder and addressing the broader factors affecting health. 

Therapists are increasingly addressing SDoH by partnering with community programs. For example, collaborating with transportation services can help clients who struggle to attend in-person sessions due to unreliable or nonexistent transit options. By ensuring they have a way to get to therapy—or offering virtual alternatives—you’re removing a key barrier that directly impacts their ability to stick with care plans and achieve better outcomes. This type of integrated approach doesn’t just address SDoH. It further strengthens the relationship and rapport you have with your clients, demonstrating how deeply you truly care about their health outcomes.  

Working across disciplines is another growing trend. Combining the skills of PTs, OTs, and SLPs creates care plans that address physical, communication, and daily living needs in harmony. When care plans are better synchronized across professions, it leads to more holistic care with better outcomes for clients. 

Breaking down cost barriers 

One of the largest obstacles to therapy is cost. Uninsured or underinsured clients often have to skip sessions, leading to longer-term health complications. But therapists are finding proactive ways to make care more affordable. 

Sliding scale models adjust fees based on what a client can afford, removing financial stress. For example, a practice might set a tiered fee structure where clients below a certain income threshold pay a reduced rate. That not only eases financial stress, it also helps clients stick with treatment. Plus they’re not too difficult to set up.  

Beyond individual practice adjustments, therapists nationwide are actively participating in and developing other initiatives to make care more affordable. These include community-based programs offering free or low-cost sessions, often supported by grants or volunteer efforts. For instance, some practices offer “community hours” where a limited number of pro-bono or significantly reduced-fee sessions are available. Exploring partnerships with local non-profits or university/teaching clinics can also facilitate similar initiatives in your area.  

Cultural competence’s growing importance 

Understanding a client’s cultural background isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a critical part of delivering effective care. Several studies have shown that that clients who received care from culturally competent providers had better health outcomes and were more likely to adhere to treatment recommendations. 

Therapists are making strides by offering tailored care plans that consider cultural practices, health beliefs, and family dynamics. Small adjustments, like recognizing dietary needs rooted in culture, can have a profound impact on trust and effectiveness. 

For guidance, resources like ASHA’s guide to cultural responsiveness and the AJOT’s focus on cultural humility are helpful for deepening understanding and embedding cultural awareness into your practice. 

What you can do to stay ahead 

If you want to be ready for where rehabilitative therapy is headed, here’s how you can start today: 

1. Engage with policy changes more actively 

Health equity is often shaped by public policy. Shifts in Medicare reimbursement, evolving telehealth regulations, or new funding allocations for underserved areas directly impact your practice and your clients. Staying informed is crucial, and advocating for policies that support access to care in your region can make a real difference. 

Many professional organizations, such as the APTA, actively monitor and advocate for policies affecting therapy. For comprehensive updates on compliance, policy, and payer changes, remember that the “Industry Pulse” section in our In Harmony newsletter regularly breaks down complex healthcare changes, in a way that’s simple and useful. You can also explore our specific resources on Medicaid policy and its implications, such as: 

• “Making sense of the Medicaid debate” 

• “What’s next for Medicaid?”  

• “How the president’s budget impacts Medicaid and you”  

• “The 2025 budget bill headed to the senate with plans to impact Medicaid”  

2. Explore interdisciplinary teamwork 

The complexity of health equity demands a team approach. Think beyond therapy-specific goals and actively seek collaboration with other healthcare and community professionals. Working alongside case managers, nutritionists, social workers, or mental health providers can create robust, comprehensive support systems for your clients. 

Interdisciplinary care models are proving to be the new standard, enhancing client outcomes and satisfaction by minimizing service gaps and ensuring coordinated care. 

3. Keep upskilling 

The rapid evolution of rehabilitative care means that staying current is non-negotiable. Whether it’s mastering new telehealth protocols, deepening your understanding of cultural competence, or exploring creative billing approaches, ongoing education ensures you’re equipped for what’s next. 

Many professional organizations offer invaluable resources: 

• The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) hosts workshops and conferences. 

• The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) provides numerous continuing education courses. 

• The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) offers extensive professional development opportunities. 

• Platforms like Summit Professional Education provide a wide array of online courses tailored to modern therapy challenges. 

Investing in your skills not only benefits your professional growth, but also ensures you can provide more effective and equitable care. 

4. Share your impact as a therapist 

Rehab therapy’s significant role in promoting health equity often goes unrecognized. As therapists, you have powerful stories to tell. Whether it’s sharing client success stories (with appropriate consent) on social media, creating a blog to share your latest insights, or simply educating clients’ families about the broader goals of therapy, raising awareness is key. 

We believe in the power your stories have to inspire positive change within the field, and we love partnering with therapists to amplify their voices. If you have a unique approach to care, a compelling case study, or insights into how you’re tackling health equity, consider sharing it with us for a potential feature in our In Harmony newsletter, our blog, or even a webinar. Your experiences can educate and motivate fellow therapists, driving the entire profession forward., driving the entire profession forward. 

Building toward a more equitable future 

Every step you take, from sliding scale fees to interdisciplinary teamwork, moves us closer to a more inclusive future. By continuing to evolve and finding innovative approaches to care, you aren’t just part of the system. You’re reshaping it.