We’ve all known for a while that the current fee-for-service models that most occupational therapists operate under are bad for patients and bad for healthcare.

Why?

Because it incentives volume of services over quality of services.

If you’re like me, you may feel like you’ve been waiting for years for value based care to really take hold in the United States. But, this new future has felt like a distant reality.

Our guest today, Dana Strauss, PT, DPT, sees things from a different vantage point. As she’ll share in this episode, the future is actually here, it is just not evenly distributed.

Value-based programs have been piloted and they are on the cusp of rapid expansion in the United States. In our episode today, Dana will walk us through the value-based models that are currently out there, what ones are coming, and what you as an OT professional can do to prepare for this much-needed new reality.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-value-based-care

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Value-based outcome evaluation methods used by occupational therapists in primary care: A scoping review

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Through OT Potential, we’ve released over 94 episodes all exploring new influential OT research. As we enter 2025, it’s time to reflect on the research and ask:

What trends are we seeing in OT? How is new research enriching how we think about our practice?

In this 1 hour-episode, we’ll talk about new trends, with a particular focus on what commonalities we see leaders in our field doing in their occupational therapy process. We’ll culminate our discussion by exploring how people describe OT. This will be informed by our OT practice framework, but with a special focus on how we communicate about OT to the public.

For this exploration, we’ll welcome back to the podcast a past guest, who is now working in new frontiers for OT: Sarah Brzeszkiewicz, OTR/L. Together we’ll unpack what all of these trends mean for your OT practice.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/what-is-ot-in-2025

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process—Fourth edition

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Artificial intelligence is ushering a new era of healthcare tools. These range from ambient listening to streamlined practice management. But, the AI-supported that I believe will truly transform occupational therapy is:

Clinical Decision Support.

To be honest, it often feels like we have more clinical decision barriers than we have support. Our EMRs currently give us a set number of checkboxes, which massively pigeonhole our services, and often DO NOT reflect the kinds of best practice we teach here at OT Potential.

But, on the near horizon is dynamic point-of-service support that will help you choose the right assessments, set the right goals, and pursue the right treatment path for the patient in front of you.

Oh, and it will also be watching for red flags.

This is a lot to wrap our minds around. But, if we do it well, I think we will future proof our profession for changes to payment models and regulations, because it will so drastically increase our value.

In this course, we’ll review a new journal that outlines clinical decision support across 6 domains. Then, to walk us through what’s here now and what’s coming soon, I’m so thankful to welcome Brad Willingham, PhD, a clinical research scientist at Shepherd Center who has been focused on how AI is going to support clinical decision support.

You can find more details on this course here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ai-and-clinical-decision-support

Here's the primary research we are discussing:
Advancing clinical decision support: The role of artificial intelligence across six domains.

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