Southeast District presents Balancing Bots and Bedside Manner: Ethical AI in Physical Therapy
In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of healthcare, physical therapists must navigate the delicate balance between cutting-edge technology and compassionate care. “Balancing Bots and Bedside Manner: Ethical AI in Physical Therapy” provides an opportunity to collectively reflect on ethical issues related to AI being integrated into your practice.
This interactive course will provide a brief introduction to the current & developing AI technologies for health care and our ethical responsibilities related to their use. Key topics include issues of bias and fairness, patient privacy and informed consent, and the impact on the therapeutic relationship. By the end of this presentation, we hope you will have a better understanding of the power and peril of this powerful new resource to continue making informed decisions, maintain patient autonomy and dignity, and ensure equitable, transparent care.
Course objectives:
By the end of this presentation, participants will...
• Improve their understanding of the benefits & limitations of AI technologies emerging in health care.
• Recognize potential biases in AI algorithms and their impact on patient care.
• Apply core ethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice) to scenarios involving AI in PT.
• Explain AI-driven decisions transparently to patients as part of informed consent.
• Balance AI assistance with respect for patient autonomy and ensure that AI supports rather than replaces clinical judgment and decision-making.
• Explore how AI integration impacts the patient-therapist relationship and develop strategies to maintain empathy and personalized care.
• Consider practices that may help mitigate biases to ensure fair and equitable treatment.
• Commit to ongoing professional development and stay updated on evolving standards, practices, and ethical guidelines related to AI in PT.
David Stocker, PT, DPT, TPS
Dr. David Stocker is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Marquette University, as well as a Director of Clinical Education. David received his
Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from Marquette in 2015, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Marquette in 2017. He worked for 5 years in a
hospital outpatient clinic specializing in treating workers compensation patients and chronic pain conditions prior to returning to Marquette to teach. David participated in a
university-wide community of practice regarding artificial intelligence in the fall of 2024 and is currently working towards his MBA in Business and Managerial Analytics, which includes classes on artificial intelligence.
Tina Stoeckmann, PT, DSc, MA
Dr. Tina Stoeckmann is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Marquette University, and Academic Coordinator of the Zablocki VA Medical Center
Neurologic PT Residency program. She is a former member of the WPTA Ethics Committee and currently serves as an ethics consultant for the WPTA. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from the UW – Madison in 1988, a Master of Arts in Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1999, and her Doctor of Science in Neurologic Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in 2008. Tina has presented to a variety of audiences on a wide range of ethics topics over the last 25 years, including issues related to new technology.
The presentation will take place in Room 356 in Schroeder Complex (#29 on the map). The address provided will take you to an entrance on the west side of the building. This door will not be unlocked on the night of the presentation. Instead, walk to the entrance on the east side of the building at the #29 on the map marked by the star. The closest parking structure to Schroeder Complex is on 16th St (#55 on the map). Please check the map for other parking options, or there may be street parking available. Please note there is a Schroeder Hall on campus as well which is a dorm and is not the location of the presentation.
