The physiotherapy industry is on the brink of a new era, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Early tools like chatbots hinted at what AI could do but within the next two to three years, AI agents—powered by advanced language models—are set to change how clinics operate.

These agents can handle complex tasks independently and work alongside clinicians to make operations smoother, improve patient care and reshape the role of physiotherapists.

By combining AI’s efficiency with human expertise, clinics can take significant strides forward.

In December 2021, I wrote an article titled ‘What can a chat bot do?’ for InMotion, less than a year before OpenAI launched ChatGPT.

Back then, I suggested that ‘Yes, chatbots are likely to kill menial jobs in the longer term but are also likely to produce new ones that allow humans to be more productive, creative and, ultimately, add more value to the world.’

Now AI agents are pushing beyond the limited capabilities of chatbots. Unlike chatbots, which rely on prewritten responses, AI agents are autonomous.

Imagine an assistant in your clinic that not only drafts clinical notes but also reschedules missed appointments and sends personalised patient follow-ups—all without constant input.

This shift raises an important question.

Will AI agents empower physiotherapists or will they start taking on tasks that require judgement, creativity and human insight?

Mark Zuckerberg recently said that he thinks ‘every business in the future, just like they have an email address and a website and a social media presence today… is going to have an AI agent that their customers can talk to’.

For physiotherapy clinics, the key will be how these tools are used. Will they amplify what clinicians can do or will they unintentionally sideline the human element?

What are AI agents?

AI agents are systems that can perform tasks independently, learning and adapting as they go.

Unlike traditional software, which relies on rigid programming, these agents can make decisions and adjust workflows in real time.

Core features of AI agents are:

• the ability to understand language—using tools like ChatGPT to interpret and respond to natural conversations
• task-specific skills—managing things like scheduling, patient communication or treatment data
• decision-making—acting autonomously, such as reorganising schedules or identifying gaps in clinical notes.

For example, an AI agent could instantly adjust a day’s schedule after a patient cancels, flag inconsistencies in patient records or even draft follow-up messages tailored to a patient’s recovery plan.

How will AI agents be different from the current version of ChatGPT?

While ChatGPT (which may be an AI agent in the future) is great for generating text or answering questions, it needs constant guidance.

AI agents, on the other hand, can take the initiative, performing tasks across multiple systems without being told every step.

AI agents combine reasoning with workflow automation, opening the door to smarter and more efficient ways of working.

How AI agents will transform physiotherapy

Automating administrative tasks

AI agents will be able to handle repetitive work like scheduling, appointment reminders and insurance claims.

This frees up time for clinic staff to focus on more important tasks.

Enhancing patient engagement

By delivering personalised advice, updates and reminders, AI agents will be able to keep patients engaged and improve their adherence to treatment plans.

Streamlining clinical documentation

Beyond drafting notes, AI agents can ensure that records are complete and flag errors for review, saving clinicians time and effort.

Supporting clinical decision-making

AI agents can analyse patient data to provide evidence-based recommendations, triage cases and identify complex scenarios needing human input.

Imagine the following scenario.

You arrive at your clinic and find your day’s schedule optimised, with last-minute cancellations already filled by other patients.

After each consultation, clinical notes are auto-drafted, requiring only your quick review.

Meanwhile, your patients receive personalised messages based on their progress, keeping them engaged and motivated.

Instead of feeling bogged down by admin, you can spend more time focused on delivering care.

Will AI agents empower physiotherapists or will they start taking on tasks that require judgement, creativity and human insight?

Strengths and limitations of AI agents

AI agents are best used as tools to support clinicians, not replace them. 

When combined with human skills, their potential grows.

Getting started with AI agents in your practice

• Start small—trial AI tools for simple tasks like appointment reminders or note drafting. Starting small builds confidence in using these tools.
• Collaborate with providers—work with developers to create customised solutions that fit your clinic’s needs.
• Educate your team—ensure that everyone understands how AI works and how it can help, positioning it as a support tool rather than a replacement.
• Stay secure—make sure your tools comply with Ahpra guidelines (tinyurl.com/s20lk7w) and data privacy laws to protect patient information.

A partnership between humans and AI

AI agents have the potential to:

• deliver more personalised care using real-time data and feedback
• streamline operations, saving time and reducing costs
• improve access to physiotherapy through virtual triage and remote monitoring.

These tools won’t replace physiotherapists but will enhance what they can achieve, allowing them to spend more time on patient care.

Embracing the future

The physiotherapy profession is at a turning point.

Over the next few years, AI agents will reshape clinic operations, improve efficiency and enhance patient care.

At the core of physiotherapy is the human connection—something no AI can replicate.

By embracing AI agents thoughtfully, we can focus on what truly matters: delivering compassionate, high-quality care while leaving time-consuming tasks to technology.

Now is the time to act.

Start small, explore how AI tools can fit into your clinic and take the first steps towards a more efficient, patient-focused future.

By leading the way, we can ensure that AI enhances physiotherapy without losing the personal touch that defines our profession.

>>Barry Nguyen APAM is a digital health adviser at the Australian Digital Health Agency, a physiotherapist, a software engineer and the founder and CEO of CliniScribe AI. Barry was a finalist at the Physiotherapy Research Foundation’s Physio Pitchfest in 2023 with CliniScribe.