On the latest episode of The FOX Five, we are joined by FOX Rehabilitation’s, Joseph Layman, PT, DPT, CCI, LSVT, who was one of our first clinicians to treat patients using Remote Therapeutic Monitoring. RTM allows clinicians to keep track of their patients around the clock. For a patient to use RTM, all they need is a compatible iPhone or Android. Joe explains the many benefits of RTM and how it is truly a game-changer in the continuum of care for older adult patients.

Jim: Welcome to The FOX Five, the show that explores the wonderful world of FOX Rehabilitation through an original list created by a FOX colleague. That FOX colleague today is FOX Rehabilitation physical therapist, Joseph Layman. Joe, welcome to The FOX Five.

Joe: Hey, how are you Jim?

Jim: Joe, today's episode of The FOX Five, I think, is game-changing. Would you agree?

Joe: Definitely, this is something new to market for FOX and, really, to the therapy world.

Jim: Alright, so let's not wait any longer. Joe what is your FOX Five?

Joe: My FOX five is Five Things You Should Know About Remote Therapeutic Monitoring.

Jim: You're using it, right?

Joe: Yeah, I was one of the first beta testers when it rolled out and now it's getting pushed to more and more clinicians through the practice.

Jim: Isn't it neat to think about, in the future this is the way that things will be done, but you were the beta test. How did it feel being the beta test it?

Joe: It was pretty cool. It was cool having [FOX] reach out and ask, “Hey Joe, do you want to try this out in the building that you're working in with all of your patients?” I took the ball and just ran with it.

Jim: Let's get to your FOX Five. What is Number One?

Joe: Yes, the first thing is RTM provides oversight when you're not with your patient. RTM essentially is a way for clinicians to keep tabs on their patients between therapy visits. There were countless times that I wanted to know how my patient was walking when I wasn't there and were they actually doing those exercises that I told them to do. RTM kind of gave me that glass ball insight into my patients when I'm physically not there, and the patients find it pretty cool as well because they have extra healthcare practitioner eyes on them pretty much all the time now.

Jim: Could you say that RTM is “peace of mind”?

Joe: It definitely is. It gives the clinician, the patient, and also the caregivers or loved ones information on what the patient is supposed to do and making sure they are maintaining those levels that the therapist discharge them at.

Jim: Joe, that brings us to Number Two on your FOX Five.

Joe: Number Two is RTM is using innovative, but very simple technology. To participate with RTM, all the patient needs is a compatible iPhone or Android. There are no stickers or sensors being strapped to them. It's very easy. All they do is put the phone in their pocket and walk, and we can start to capture data. Even with their exercises there are really nice videos, and the phone will talk them through their exercises. The way the therapist is already used to delivering exercises is mirrored in RTM.

Jim: Joe, that blows my mind, because when I first heard of RTM—did you ever see Rocky IV?

Joe: No, I have not.

Jim: So, Ivan Drago is hooked up to all of these wires and devices, and there are all of these analytics. I thought that's what RTM would look like, and when I found out it's on a smart device, I thought, “Wow, that is so cool!”

Joe: It takes that pressure off the clinician and the patient, because, truly, you just need to have the phone in their pocket and then they do their thing.

Jim: Our Senior Clinical Director, Will Dieter, he's going to make you watch Rocky IV now.

Joe: Yeah, I'll I'll have to watch it.

Jim: Joe, what is Number Three on your FOX Five?

Joe: Number Three is RTM gives you real-time data and patient engagement. When I say that, what I mean is RTM gives the clinicians real time walking metrics for their patients. We can track their PSFS ratings that we do at evaluation, we can see trends with that whether it's upward or downward, RTM also allows us to really measure their home exercise program compliance, and RTM helps patients put therapy in their court. Within the system we can set reminders for patients to say, “Hey, you need to get up and walk,” or, “Hey, it's time for you to exercise.” I also found that patients really want to impress me when I put them on RTM, so they make it a point to log in, do their walk and their exercises, and then provide feedback to me. They'll say, “Joe, did you see that? I walked today.” It's just something so unique for patients that really gets them engaged and involved in the therapy.

Jim: That's a great point. It makes them accountable, because traditionally if you treat someone and leave, you don't know what they're doing. With RTM, everyone's kind of always on the clock. I like that.

Joe: Exactly.

Jim: That brings us to Number Four on your FOX Five.

Joe: Number Four is real-time feedback back provided from the patients. Within the RTM platform, there is an option for messaging, sort of like texting your clinician. There's a video chat feature that you can use to communicate with patients, and after a patient performs their exercise program, they can provide immediate feedback on how they felt with specific exercises or generally how they feel. Then from there, we can make modifications that are specific to that patient and that day, based on their feedback.

Jim: That brings us to Number Five on your FOX Five.

Joe: Yes, Number Five is my favorite, it is a true continuum of care. If RTM isn't a true continuum care, I don't know what is. This is a win for the patient, the clinician, and also the practice. Patients benefit because they are provided more oversight during their plan of care and then also potentially after discharge for the clinician. RTM will help manage patients to ensure that all those good exercises and activities that we prescribed during traditional plans of care are actually being performed after discharge from when we were seeing them in-person. For both patients and clinicians, RTM will allow us the ability to potentially and quickly switch back to restorative services—that traditional in-person therapy, if it's appropriate, without having to wait around, because of all the data that's collected and how that data is monitored.

Jim: It's efficient.

Joe: It's so efficient, and that changes that old school [mentality of] “let's discharge and then hope for the best.” Lastly, the practice benefits because FOX has truly hit the ground running with RTM and is continuing to evolve. We’re providing these innovative ways to deliver that high quality care that we’re known for, and are maintaining that high reputation, and really, why referral sources and patients are constantly requesting a FOX clinician.

Jim: Would you say it makes FOX even better?

Joe: One hundred percent.

Jim: And you're the beta test! Years from now we're going to put a plaque of you somewhere in our home office that reads: Joseph Layman, Beta Test of RTM.

Joe: The coveted award!