Net Health, a trusted source for specialised software solutions that empower restorative care providers across the continuum of care, has released its Net Health Rehab Therapy Source Report, offering critical insights into how professionals across the industry are adapting to changing technologies, reimbursement challenges and burnout concerns.
Across the globe, the rehab therapy industry is wrestling with significant and growing challenges, ranging from funding pressures and complex reimbursement models to clinician burnout and growing administrative workloads. Rising patient demand, growing financial pressures and growing competition add further stress. This complex landscape underscores the urgency for innovative solutions — from Artificial Intelligence and data-driven interventions to policy reforms — that can enable therapists to provide high-calibre care while retaining financial stability. The industry stands at a turning point, requiring forward-thinking strategies to foster sustainable, patient-centric care delivery in the years ahead.
Based on a survey of 200 rehab therapy professionals and leaders across hospitals, outpatient settings, private practices, skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, the report indicates relative optimism among industry professionals around topics like AI adoption, investment in training and education and advanced data analytics.
It also reveals generational and role-based differences in the perceived value of technology and reimbursement models, with younger professionals and decision-makers showing greater enthusiasm for AI adoption. Additionally, younger professionals are more likely to see technology that improves workflows and electronic health records as a key solution to addressing burnout.
“Despite industry optimism, ongoing reimbursement pressures and regulatory complexity, particularly around MIPS, continue to challenge the day-to-day realities of care delivery,” said Francesca Vereb, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Net Health. “This is where AI has the potential to play a transformative role — streamlining compliance and documentation to enable more accurate reimbursement, reducing administrative burden and even preventing fraud. These findings highlight a clear opportunity for rehab therapy leaders to invest in specialty EHR solutions to strengthen outcomes and operations.”
Key findings include:
- Burnout remains a major concern: Younger professionals are more likely to see burnout as a bigger issue, with 63% acknowledging its significance. Across all ages and roles, most say that burnout remains a problem.
- Technology as a burnout solution: Over a third of respondents cited technology solutions that address patient engagement, workflow and communication as most helpful in reducing burnout.
- AI adoption varies by age and role: Most respondents are somewhat positive (38%) or neutral (27%) regarding AI use in their organisation. That optimism grows with younger workers (18–35), with a third very positive (30%) and just 17% neutral.
- AI scribes and ambient documentation viewed positively: 80% of rehab therapy workers other than clinicians feel positive to very positive about AI/ambient documentation. Clinicians were also positive but a bit reserved.
- Decision-makers and clinicians invest in the future: Respondents are channelling their optimism into action with hiring, expanded services and additional training. This includes education around new tech, like advanced data analytics, predictive insights and AI adoption. Furthermore, 22% say they plan to invest in further developing data analytics capabilities.
- Reimbursement takes its toll: A strong majority (64%) of rehab therapy workers other than clinicians said that payer reimbursement issues had a significant to very significant impact over the last six months.
- Industry optimism — with reservations: While therapy professionals express general optimism, clinicians are more hesitant, with 71% feeling neutral to somewhat positive about the industry’s direction.
- Scepticism around MIPS: 57% of clinicians are neutral to very negative about MIPS, with mixed feelings about administrative burden and unnecessary complexity.
Conducted in December 2024, this survey marks the first in an ongoing series examining key trends in rehab therapy and wound care. The research adheres to Market Research Society (MRS) and ESOMAR principles.
Conclusion
The Net Health Rehab Therapy Source Report underscores a dramatic turning point for the industry, reflecting both the growing pressures stemming from financial and operational uncertainty and the powerful opportunity for transformation through innovation. It shows that, while there is a cautious optimism about the future, much work lies ahead to enable therapists to provide the highest standard of care while preserving their financial stability. Embracing technology, developing clinician skills and navigating policy complexities will be crucial for securing a sustainable path forward in a changing landscape.
Access the full Net Health Rehab Therapy Source Report: Q1 2025 here.
