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The role of technology

Digital platforms, software, and wearable devices significantly enhance patient education by providing practical resources to demonstrate techniques, track progress, and offer ongoing patient support. However, technology should never replace personalised patient interactions but rather supplement and enhance them.

Benefits of using technology in patient education

  • Increased accessibility: Patients can access educational materials and support outside traditional clinic hours, promoting flexible learning (Suso-Martí et al., 2021; Smith & Innes, 2025).
  • Enhanced engagement: Interactive tools and gamification can increase patient motivation and participation (Bennell et al., 2021).
  • Continuous monitoring: Real-time tracking via wearables and apps allows therapists to assess the effectiveness of educational strategies continually (Sivertsson et al., 2024).
  • Personalisation: AI-driven tools enable highly individualised educational content aligned with patient goals (Alowais et al, 2023).
  • Remote support: Virtual platforms facilitate education and support, particularly beneficial where in-person visits are challenging (Smith & Innes, 2025).

Reflective prompt

Consider your clinical experiences. How might technology have enhanced patient engagement or understanding?

Licence

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Patient Education Essentials for Physiotherapy Copyright © 2025 by The University of Queensland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.