Connecting with our global community in Anaheim at APTA CSM 2026

Last week at APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, the Physiopedia team connected with hundreds of professionals from our global community, with particular interest in the Physiopedia AI Assistant (PAI) and opportunities for continuing education through Physiopedia Plus (Plus). The 3-day conference offered invaluable opportunities to hear how our resources support clinical practice and to showcase innovations in accessible, evidence-based physiotherapy education.

Last week, the Physiopedia team travelled to Anaheim, California, USA, for the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), where we had the pleasure of connecting with our global community, showcasing innovations in physiotherapy education, and hearing first-hand how Physiopedia supports professionals in their daily practice.

One of the highlights of the conference was simply having the opportunity to meet and chat with our community. Throughout the 3 days, we welcomed both familiar faces and new connections. Plus instructors stopped by to say hello and discuss current and new projects, and we enjoyed countless conversations with community members who took the time to tell us how much they value Physiopedia. Hearing these stories reinforced why we do what we do and reminded us of the real impact that accessible, evidence-based resources can have on clinical practice worldwide.

Many visitors to our booth were keen to learn more about Plus and the opportunities it offers for continuing education. The ability to collect CEUs whilst engaging with high-quality, evidence-based courses resonated strongly with professionals looking to advance their skills and meet licensure requirements. The conversations highlighted the ongoing need for flexible, accessible professional development options that fit into busy clinical schedules whilst maintaining rigorous academic standards. Plus courses aren’t just re-purposed webinars, they are comprehensive courses created with intent to enhance your skills.

However, the topic that generated the most interest and engagement was undoubtedly PAI. We spoke with professionals across the entire spectrum of AI familiarity, from those who had never used AI tools before to regular AI users curious about what made PAI different. What became clear through these conversations is that whilst AI is becoming increasingly present in healthcare, there remain important questions about credibility, safety and appropriate use in clinical contexts.

Two key features of PAI consistently impressed visitors. First, the fact that PAI uses only information from Physiopedia and Plus gives it a level of credibility that general AI tools cannot match. Rather than drawing from the entire internet with all its variable quality, PAI provides responses grounded in the evidence-based content that physiotherapy professionals already know and trust. Second, people appreciated learning that PAI has been built with safety and security as fundamental priorities. In an era where data privacy and professional responsibility are paramount, knowing that an AI tool has been designed specifically for healthcare professionals with these considerations in mind made a significant difference to how people viewed its potential utility.

Our team also delivered several presentations throughout the conference, all of which were well received by attendees. The research and insights shared in these sessions sparked engaging discussions and demonstrated the breadth of innovation happening within physiotherapy education. We’ll be sharing more details about this research here soon, so watch this space.

Beyond the formal presentations and booth conversations, CSM provided invaluable opportunities for informal exchanges with colleagues from around the world. These spontaneous discussions about challenges in clinical practice, innovative approaches to patient care and the evolving landscape of physiotherapy education enriched our understanding of how we can better serve the global rehabilitation community.

As we reflect on our time at APTA CSM 2026, we’re grateful for every conversation, every question and every piece of feedback we received. These interactions don’t just inform our work, they remind us that Physiopedia exists because of and for a global community of professionals committed to excellence in patient care and continuous learning.

For those who visited us in Anaheim, thank you for taking the time to connect. For those who couldn’t make it this year, we hope to see you at future conferences. In the meantime, we’re bringing the insights and connections from CSM back to our work, continuing to develop resources and tools that support physiotherapy professionals wherever they are in the world.