Ethical AI in Physio: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility
Caelum Trott from PREVE
October 29, 2025
Introduction
AI in healthcare is moving fast — sometimes faster than regulation. For physios, the question isn’t “should we use AI?” anymore. It’s “how do we use it responsibly?”
The answer lies in balancing innovation with the core values of physiotherapy: trust, transparency, and patient-centred care.
Patient Consent & Transparency
Patients deserve to know when AI is part of their care. Whether it’s generating notes or creating rehab plans, clear communication builds trust.
Respecting Clinical Expertise
AI is powerful, but it doesn’t replace physiotherapists. The physio’s role is to apply reasoning, context, and empathy.
A computer might suggest exercises, but only a clinician can adapt them for a marathon runner versus a new mum with the same knee injury.
Data Privacy & Security
Patient records are highly sensitive. Any AI tool in healthcare must:
Encrypt data
Avoid storing unnecessary audio
Comply with local privacy laws (e.g. Privacy Act, HIPAA, GDPR)
Avoiding Over-Reliance
AI can produce treatment plans in seconds. But without clinician review, those plans risk being generic. Professional reasoning must always sit on top of automation.
Equity of Access
The best AI should support both city clinics and rural practices. Otherwise, we risk widening the healthcare gap instead of closing it.
Where Preve Fits In
Preve was built with ethics at its core:
Consent is explicit – patients know AI is part of the workflow
Security is default – no audio storage, encrypted transcripts
Clinicians are in control – every note and plan is editable
Preve doesn’t just make physio more efficient — it makes it more trustworthy