Every day, people choose physical therapy for a multitude of reasons, from managing pain to building healthy lifestyle habits. Now APTA's consumer-focused website has a new name—and a new look—to support that reality and help connect patients with physical therapists (PTs) through an enhanced "Find a PT" feature.
This week, APTA unveiled ChoosePT.com, a consumer website that replaces MoveForwardPT.com, now retired after 10 years. The new site is a best-of-both-worlds combination of 2 of the association's most high-profile and far-reaching initiatives—APTA's popular online source for consumer-oriented health information, now operating under a name that leverages the power of the association's award-winning opioid awareness campaign. The ChoosePT site is expected to receive more than 4 million visitors in 2019, with anticipated increases in the coming years.
The transition to ChoosePT does not significantly change the content on the former MoveForwardPT site, which still includes information on symptoms and conditions, prevention, and pain management, as well as access to podcasts and videos that deliver powerful messages about the difference physical therapy can make in people’s lives.
But not everything's the same: The changeover has allowed APTA to make improvements to the site's "Find a PT" directory, an APTA member benefit for physical therapists, that makes it easier for consumers and other providers to filter results by practice focus or specialization.
The upgraded feature is an opportunity that members shouldn't miss, according to Jason Bellamy, APTA's executive vice president of strategic communications.
“Millions of people will visit ChoosePT.com this year, and one of their most common destinations will be Find a PT," Bellamy said. "APTA members should ensure their information is up-to-date, and add a headshot to make their profile more appealing. Our message to members is, 'do everything you can to help consumers choose you.'"
ChoosePT.com is also enhanced by geolocation technologies that, with a user's permission, create an online experience customized to the user's physical location. APTA state chapters that have an active geolocation page—49 to date—can add state-specific information to the ChoosePT site, providing visitors with an additional depth of relevant information.
Bellamy believes the change to ChoosePT.com is the right move at the right time, with more exciting changes coming around the corner.
“When we launched our opioid awareness campaign we knew our #ChoosePT message was dynamic enough to extend beyond the safe management of chronic pain,” Bellamy said. “With APTA’s centennial approaching in 2021, and the public awareness opportunities that will provide, this was the perfect time to make that our primary call to action.”
Want t-shirts with the new ChoosePT logo? They're available here.