Understanding Physical Therapists' Perspectives and Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Rehabilitation: Qualitative Study

Research Objectives: To understand perspectives and attitudes of physical therapists (PTs) regarding the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in rehabilitation, specifically in relation to the treatment plan, diagnosis, and prediction. The study also examined the PTs' perspectives on the implications of AI applications in rehabilitation practice and education.

Design: The study employed an exploratory, qualitative research design. Participants with varying levels of experience and expertise in the field of physical therapy were interviewed using a semi-structured, one-to-one format. The results were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Setting: The interviews were performed between March and September 2021, either on the university campus or through online applications. Interviews were arranged at the participants' preferred time, and each interview had a duration of 30 to 40 minutes. The interviews were done in a setting where only the participants and interviewer were present.

Participants: The inclusion criteria were PTs who have at least a bachelor's degree and were actively engaged in the practice of physical therapy. The participants received the participant information sheet, which included a comprehensive explanation of the study's design and aims. Prior to scheduling the interviews, consent was obtained from each participant. A total of 15 participants, consisting of 7 Academicians and 8 Clinicians, voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

Interventions: The interview guide was developed by a comprehensive examination of existing literature and subsequently evaluated by the research team. Prompt questions were developed for each question to supplement participants' responses.

Main Outcome Measures: The questions were centered around participants' overall awareness of AI in the rehabilitation field, their viewpoints on existing AI applications, ethical considerations, and the integration of AI into university curricula.

Results: The study identified and categorized four main themes: (i) perceptions of AI and its applications in rehabilitation services; (ii) replacement of rehabilitation professionals and its impact on the workforce; (iii) considerations regarding the implementation of AI in rehabilitation; and (iv) AI and its implications for the near future.

Conclusions: Participants expressed their perspectives on the possible influence of AI applications on rehabilitation methods, including how they might assist in decision-making and save time and effort for therapists and patients. Participants have also emphasized the need to address potential challenges that still need to be considered. These challenges include maintaining patient data privacy, possible disruption of the patient-healthcare practitioner connection, ethical considerations related to excessive dependence on these applications, and the potential negative impact on effective patient care.

Author(s) Disclosures: Authors declare no conflict.