Artificial Intelligence in OT Practice
Sarah Collison - Verve OT
Helping OTs Navigate the NDIS with Confidence | 2023 OT of the Year | Founder of Verve OT & Verve OT Learning | Co-host, OT Unplugged Podcast | Facilitator, NDIS OT Community of Practice
Changes to OT as we know it
The world of OT is rapidly evolving, with technology and policy changes influencing how we work and the services we provide. At the forefront of these developments are artificial intelligence (AI) tools and the ever-changing landscape of the NDIS. Together, they present new opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists to navigate.
The role of AI in OT practice – a helping hand with caution
AI is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s here and it’s making waves in Occupational Therapy. Tools like ChatGPT and other AI-driven software are becoming everyday assets, saving time and supporting therapists in everything from drafting reports to managing administrative tasks.
For example, you might use AI to create supervision notes, brainstorm participant-focused workshop ideas or simplify the planning of team events.
As helpful as AI can be, remember that it’s not perfect.
AI-generated outputs often require human oversight to ensure they are accurate, nuanced and fit for purpose. The software lacks the clinical insight and ethical decision-making that only trained professionals bring to their work. So it looks like our job isn’t going to be taken over by robots!
Take report writing, for instance. An AI tool might generate a well-structured draft, but it’s your responsibility to refine it, ensuring it captures the participant’s unique story, goals and challenges. Reports need to be person-centred and contextually relevant – qualities AI struggles to achieve independently. Additionally, using AI for sensitive participant information comes with privacy risks.
Clinicians must comply with NDIS privacy policies to safeguard participants’ data at every step.
Clinical AI tools save time but still need effort
Emerging AI technologies like Heidi Health are also making inroads into clinical documentation. These tools promise efficiency, streamlining the time-consuming task of writing and organising notes.
While they reduce the workload, they still rely on therapists to validate and refine the final product. Clinical documentation is not just about recording events – it’s about communicating clearly and professionally with stakeholders.
This delicate balance means AI is best seen as a co-pilot rather than an autopilot. It supports your expertise but cannot replace it. Taking the time to learn how to optimise AI tools, while staying cautious of their pitfalls, will ensure they enhance rather than undermine your work.
NDIS reports need clinician expertise
One area where the intersection of AI and OT practice requires careful consideration is NDIS reporting. These reports need to be tailored, personalised and underpinned by professional judgment. Reports that appear overly generic or AI-generated are being flagged by the NDIA, as they lack the depth and insight clinicians are expected to provide.
When writing NDIS reports, AI can serve as a useful tool for structuring content or addressing formatting needs. However, the substance of the report – the assessment outcomes, clinical reasoning and participant-specific recommendations – comes down to you.
It’s these personalised insights that truly support NDIS decision-makers and demonstrate your role in achieving participant goals.
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NDIS compliance is a wake-up call for providers
Beyond technology, compliance with NDIS regulations remains a pressing issue. The recent warning from the ACCC about misleading advertising by NDIS providers highlights the importance of transparency in communications. Claims about funding eligibility need to be factually accurate and the misuse of the NDIS logo can lead to penalties.
This reminder comes at a time when the NDIS is undergoing significant reviews and reforms. While some uncertainty surrounds the registration process for providers, staying up-to-date with compliance requirements is critical. Losing registration status due to non-compliance can have serious implications for your practice, your team and the participants you support.
Proactive measures, like regular reviews of your promotional materials and operational procedures, can help you stay aligned with NDIS standards. For registered providers, maintaining accurate records, following through on service agreements and delivering transparent care are more important than ever.
Looking ahead with adaptation and professional growth
As technology continues to advance and the NDIS evolves, Occupational Therapists are being called to adapt and grow in new ways. AI offers exciting possibilities, but using it responsibly requires skill and vigilance. Training programs, like the workshops available through Verve OT Learning, can help therapists integrate AI into their practice while maintaining professional and ethical standards.
Similarly, keeping up with NDIS updates is essential for both clinical practice and business operations. Changes in guidelines, funding priorities and compliance expectations demand a proactive approach to ensure your work remains participant-focused and aligned with current policies.
While tools like AI can save time, they don’t replace the human touch. Your expertise, empathy and ability to connect with participants will always be the most valuable part of your practice. The NDIS, too, continues to remind us of the importance of professionalism, precision and putting participants first in all aspects of care.
Want to learn about AI and the role it plays in Occupational Therapy?
The Inner Circle hosts guest speakers to deliver NDIS Deep Dive and OT Masterclass presentations. On February 11 2025, the Inner Circle will be joined by Jess Francis for an exclusive one hour masterclass on using AI to streamline report writing for OTs while maintaining quality and professionalism.
Want to join us? Check out https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/inner-circle-membership
Self-paced learning at your fingertips
Not ready to commit to a membership? Verve OT Learning offers a range of self-paced professional development modules for OTs. And it’s not just me – I've collaborated with esteemed experts in their field to deliver the highest quality content.
Check out the modules here: https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/store?
Engage with live workshops
Prefer something in between? Our live workshops provide the perfect balance, allowing you to interact with presenters and dive deeper into the material. And here’s the best part: you’ll have access to the recordings for six months after the workshop.
See what’s coming up soon: https://www.verveotlearning.com.au/live-ot-training-workshops
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Helping you become a better OT who loves what you do! | Proud #OTNerd ?? | 2024 Finalist - OT of the Year | Free resources and professional development via the Learning Library! | Owner of Your OT Tutor
3 个月Great points Sarah! AI is definitely the way forward, we can't be scared of it and use excuses for why it can't work - we need to find solutions to the risks or barriers so we can enjoy the benefits! It's an interesting conversation when it comes to how to teach OT students and new grads report writing - at the end of the day, the AI documentation assistant can't gather the right evidence for you, it's up to the OTs to collect detailed observations and interview answers to be able to plug that into the AI system. Rather than investing time in teaching new grads how to do the actual writing (structuring sentences, being grammatically correct, using plain language), we may eventually be training them in how to deliver the right prompts to the AI and most importantly, being able to critique a report to know what is a good report output and what doesn't hit the mark and why.
Your Professional Coach for a flourishing health career with impact.
3 个月Insightful discussion here Sarah, that captures the balance that is needed between the opportunities for AI to alleviate the admin burden in the NDIS, and responsible use of this tech for clinical excellence. AI implementation is a change management challenge for leaders, who need to be able to clearly communicate the "why" behind adopting AI tools, and work with their teams really effectively to bring everyone along on the change.
Training Coordinator @ Verve OT Learning | Occupational Therapist
3 个月ChatGPT was something I didn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole in the OT space until I was shown how to use it, and use it properly. Now I would say I refer to ChatGPT almost daily, professionally and personally. I like your analogy of referring to AI as a co-pilot rather than an autopilot?–?very clever!
Founder @ Ardant | Occupational Therapy, Healthcare Technology
3 个月I agree
Supporting Aged Care Teams to THRIVE - Occupational Therapist | Dementia Specialist | Positive Approach to Care Champion Teacher | Dementia Design | COPE Trained |Health & Aged Care Quality Leader
3 个月Interesting article! Thanks for the insights. Experience counts when using AI. Report writing is a skill and if you dont get the chance to practice it you won't develop these skills. The use of AI by inexperienced clinicians to write reports concerns me, when used by experienced clinicians it can be a valuable tool.