For years, "Occupational Therapy in Primary Care" has felt like a professional aspiration-a "gold standard" we discussed in classrooms but rarely saw in job postings. Today, that reality is shifting. Following the 2020 statutory mandates in Norway and Sweden that solidified OT as a required primary care service, the global tide is turning.

In the United States, we are moving past the era of mere "co-location" toward true interprofessional integration. Driven by the rise of Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and the 2026 Medicare updates to Advanced Primary Care Management, the door is finally opening for OTs to lead in chronic disease management, mental health, and aging-in-place.

On today's episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashley Halle, a leading voice in this movement and co-author of the foundational AJOT research on the topic, to discuss how clinicians can finally step out of the "hypothetical" and onto the primary care team.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-in-primary-care

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

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https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

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Thumb osteoarthritis is a common condition in older adults. By age 50, the prevalence is about 8% in men and 25% in women-and it increases with age, with meta-analysis data suggesting that by age 80, approximately 39% of women have radiographic signs of thumb base OA.

Conservative treatment is widely acknowledged as first-line care for thumb CMC OA, including occupational and physical therapy, particularly to help initiate splinting and exercise programs.

With conservative treatment roughly 4 out of 5 cases can be managed successfully without surgery.

Given the relatively high prevalence and importance of conservative intervention, it is critical that even generalist OTs be aware of its presentation and the basics of assessment and treatment.

This course intends to do just that: equip the generalist therapist to watch for, assess, and treat thumb OA-and perhaps most importantly, know when to refer on. We'll be joined by hand therapist Preston Lockwood.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/osteoarthritis-of-the-thumb

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

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https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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The landscape of healthcare has been changed forever with the introduction of AI.

Already, 1 in 3 adults are turning to chatbots to ask health related questions. For younger adults under age 30, the shift is even faster-nearly 30% now use AI specifically for mental health and emotional support.

Amid these broad changes is a specific question for us as therapists: 

What happens when the chatbot starts to play the role of therapist?

This service is already being offered by tools - like Abby - "Your AI Therapist."

This raises so many questions for us-and at the heart of the questions is a moral and ethical one of turning our trust from individual humans to LLMs. Today, we'll walk through the broad ethical considerations with Megan Cornish is a licensed clinical social worker turned strategist who builds and scales ethical mental health brands.

We'll discuss the ethics of this shift-and what our ethical duty is to respond, particularly in our day to day sessions with clients, who are likely beginning to use AI.

Not to be dramatic: but this is the conversation of our generation. 

This course was designed to help you meet your ethics requirements for your CE.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/the-ethics-of-ai-as-therapists

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

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https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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The landscape of private practice changed forever this year. With Amazon officially adding physical therapy to its marketplace, accessing rehabilitation services is now as easy as ordering a pair of shoes. This shift signifies a massive rise in public awareness of therapy services-but it also brings a new set of challenges for the independent practitioner.

How do you compete with a global giant? How do you meet the "one-click" expectations of modern clients?

In our 2026 "Starting an OT Practice" course, we dive into the complexities of launching and sustaining a practice in this high-tech, high-convenience era. We'll discuss why easy onboarding is no longer optional, how to leverage the latest AI tools to provide world-class care while run a lean and professional business, and how to position your clinical expertise as a high-value alternative to corporate healthcare.

We are joined by Christopher Gaskins PhD, OTR/L, CSRS, who recently made the leap from "side-hustle" to full-time practice owner. Chris shares his raw, first-hand experience of navigating the ups and downs of launching in this current market, offering a roadmap for OTs who are ready to bet on themselves.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/starting-an-ot-practice-in-2026

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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Travel therapy offers some of the highest compensation in rehab, yet it remains one of the most logistically challenging practice areas. Succeeding on the road requires a distinct mindset shift, balancing clinical flexibility with savvy career management.

Whether you are eyeing your first contract or looking to refine your travel strategy, this course walks you through the essential day-to-day considerations of a nomadic career. We will dive into three overarching questions:

• Logistics: How do you strategically decide where to go next?
• Clinical Readiness: How do you prepare for the “sink or swim” demands of hopping between facilities?
• Empowerment: How do you ensure you are being paid fairly in a competitive industry?

You’ll leave this session more confident in navigating the travel market and delivering high-quality care in any setting. Joining us is Laura Latimer, OTR/L, founder of Nomadicare. After discovering a massive pay gap in her own contracts, Laura transitioned from traveler to industry advocate. She is a gifted mentor, and her hard-earned knowledge will leave you feeling empowered to take charge of your career.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/intro-to-travel-therapy

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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Most parents start their OT journey with a frantic Google search: “Does my child need OT?” Unfortunately, the answers they find are often buried in vague recommendations about “missing milestones.”

In this one-hour course, former AOTA President and pediatric practice owner Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP explores how we can move beyond ambiguity. We’ll dive into actionable strategies for improving clarity and access, ensuring that therapists can empower parents and providers to connect children with the right services at the most critical times.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/deciding-if-a-child-needs-ot

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) remains the leading cause of non-traumatic disability in adults aged 18–65. Because of its prevalence and the vital role of therapy in management, it is a clinical area we return to often at OT Potential.

We previously explored this topic through the inspiring lens of Dr. Sarah Adam, OTD, OTR/L—a professor and Paralympic medalist living with MS. In this upcoming one-hour course, we continue the conversation by diving into the latest evidence-based research through the lens of an outpatient neurological specialist.

Joining us is Makeda N. Jackson, OTD, OTR/L, MSCS, a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist. Dr. Jackson will share her expert perspective on the clinical logistics of MS care, focusing on:

• Evidence-Based Assessment
• Targeted Intervention
• Patient Education/ Coaching

You will walk away with practical, actionable knowledge. Plus, we are assembling a treatment guide for you to reference—synthesizing insights from this and our past conversations on MS—to help you provide the highest level of care.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/ot-and-multiple-sclerosis-treatment

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
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Why does therapy often feel undervalued by the systems we serve? To change the future of our professions, we must first understand the forces that shape today’s Medicare and private payer models—and ultimately, your reimbursement.

In this session, we sit down with DPT and policy expert Dana Strauss to pull back the curtain on the reimbursement landscape. Together, we’ll explore why the current system prioritizes procedures over longitudinal care and, more importantly, identify the strategic levers we can pull to shift the needle.

You’ll leave this course with a clear understanding of three concrete advocacy efforts we can rally around in 2026, and a practical roadmap for making them happen. Join us to turn frustration into informed action and help usher in a new era where the true value of therapy is recognized.

Resources:
Therapy Reimbursement Guide (https://otpotential.com/blog/therapy-reimbursement)
Advocacy Playbook for OTs & PTs (https://otpotential.com/blog/therapy-advocacy-for-pt-and-ot)

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/how-ots-and-pts-get-paid

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
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While the landscape of healthcare is shifting beneath our feet, the most tangible change in daily practice since the arrival of AI has been our documentation.

Over the past two years, we have moved beyond the initial excitement of AI scribes and chat interfaces. As we look ahead to Therapy Documentation in 2026, the conversation is shifting from “how do we save time?” to “how can data and analytics help us in real-time?” We are entering an era where documentation is no longer a static record of the past, but a dynamic tool that augments our clinical reasoning and patient care.

We are thrilled to welcome to the podcast Pedro Teixeira, MD, PhD. Dr. Teixeira is the co-founder of PredictionHealth (now part of Prompt Health) and a leading expert in using biomedical informatics to bring intelligent automation into the rehab workflow.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• Industry-wide technology adoption
• Documentation KPIs and metrics
• Emerging clinical data dashboards
• Future-focused patient care vision

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/therapy-documentation-in-2026

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

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There is a foundational skillset essential to occupational therapy that often isn't covered in school: The ability to design a 60-minute session that is both clinically transformative and operationally sound.

Bridging the gap between high-level evidence-like task-specific practice for stroke recovery-and the realities of billing codes and patient engagement is no small feat. It is this specific ability to structure "best practice" into a seamless, hour-long experience that separates the master clinician from the novice.

In this 1 hour course, we sit down with Rachel Egan, OTR/L, CHT, COMT, a master clinician and rehab manager who understands this complexity firsthand. As an operational leader at NovaCare overseeing 13 clinics, Rachel balances the dual demands of high-quality patient care and administrative excellence.

You'll leave this course ready to plan great OT sessions of your own.

See full course details here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/how-to-plan-a-great-ot-session

See all OT CEU courses here:
https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses

Check our our live webinar schedule here:
https://otpotential.com/live-ot-ceu-webinars

Support the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:
https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridge

Try 2 free OT Potential courses here:
https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceus

Support the show