Efficient, accurate documentation is critical in physical therapy—but it can also be time-consuming. Fortunately, AI-powered tools are revolutionizing how physical therapists take notes, create SOAP reports, and manage patient records. Whether you’re in a busy outpatient clinic, a private practice, or just starting out, these AI assistants can dramatically lighten your administrative load.
Below are some of the best AI note-writing tools physical therapists are using today.
1. Scribenote: Simple, Free, and Made for Clinicians
Scribenote is one of the most user-friendly AI tools specifically built for healthcare professionals. It listens to your conversations with patients and automatically generates structured notes in formats like SOAP, narrative summaries, and daily progress documentation.
Key Features:
- Voice Dictation: Speak during or after your session—Scribenote transcribes and formats it for you.
- PT-Ready Templates: Choose from SOAP notes, evaluations, follow-ups, and more.
- Export Options: Notes can be copied, printed, or uploaded to your EHR manually.
- Free Plan Available: Great for solo practitioners or students.
2. Noterro: All-In-One EMR with Built-In AI Note Assistant
If you’re looking for a full practice management system with an AI charting feature, Noterro is a fantastic option. It’s widely used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists alike.
Key Features:
- SOAP & Chart Templates: Choose templates for assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes.
- AI Auto-fill: New AI-powered tool helps predict what needs to be included in your chart based on history and notes.
- Billing & Scheduling: A full EMR system including invoicing, appointment reminders, and online booking.
- HIPAA-Compliant: Meets data protection standards for clinical environments.
3. Tali AI: Real-Time Voice Assistant for Your EMR
Tali AI is designed for clinicians who already use an EMR but want to speed up charting through voice commands. This tool sits alongside your EHR and helps generate notes, find patient info, or summarize conversations using natural language.
Key Features:
- Context-Aware: Just say, “Summarize today’s evaluation,” and it builds your SOAP note.
- EMR Integration: Compatible with Jane, Noterro, SimplePractice, and others.
- Voice Navigation: Control your documentation using your voice—hands-free.
- Fully HIPAA-Compliant
4. Abridge for Clinicians: Conversation Summaries into Structured Notes
Originally built for physicians, Abridge is gaining attention among PTs who want help capturing and structuring patient conversations. It’s especially useful for those handling complex discussions or multiple problem areas during visits.
Key Features:
- Live Session Listening: Abridge records the conversation and produces accurate documentation.
- Structured Notes: Converts free-flowing dialogue into usable SOAP notes or summaries.
- EHR Integration: Works best when paired with existing EMR software in hospitals or large practices.
5. DeepScribe: Clinical-Grade AI for Full Documentation
DeepScribe is a premium AI note-writing tool that listens in real time, extracts key details, and generates documentation with remarkable accuracy. It’s best suited for group practices or clinics that want to reduce manual note entry.
Key Features:
- Ambient Listening: Captures conversations unobtrusively.
- Medical-Language Understanding: Built on AI trained for clinical language, including musculoskeletal and rehab terms.
- Integration with Epic, Cerner, and Athena
- Paid Service: Ideal for PTs with high caseloads or large organizations.
BONUS: Use ChatGPT as Your Personal SOAP Note Assistant
Want to keep things simple and flexible? You can also use ChatGPT to write SOAP notes by feeding it your visit summary and letting it format everything. While it’s not HIPAA-compliant, it’s a great option for practice sessions, de-identified data, or private use.
Example Prompt:
“Create a SOAP note for a 42-year-old male with right shoulder impingement. Focus on pain reduction, postural correction, and overhead mobility.”
You can even build a custom GPT that knows your tone, formatting, and note style.
Related Tools to Help With Physical Therapy Note-Taking
Here are a few useful Amazon items that support PTs looking to improve documentation flow, time management, or remote assessments:
📱 1. Tablet for Portable Charting
Apple iPad Air 11-inch with M3 chip– Great for SOAP note-taking, EMRs, and patient education
Lightweight and powerful, perfect for PTs on the move or documenting during home visits.
🎧 2. Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headset
Sony WH-1000XM6 – Ideal for dictation, phone calls, or transcribing in noisy clinics
Excellent for staying focused while using AI dictation software like Scribenote or DeepScribe.https://amzn.to/46Y7M6x
📚 3. Clinical Reference Book
Orthopedic Physical Assessment by David J. Magee – A must-have for detailed evaluations
Pairs well with AI tools when refining your documentation or training a custom GPT.
Disclosure: These are Amazon Associate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These proceeds help support and grow this blog.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re charting evaluations, progress notes, or discharge summaries, AI is helping PTs save time, reduce errors, and refocus on patient care. From full systems like Noterro to lightweight tools like Scribenote, there’s an option for every workflow.
Have you tried one of these tools? Let us know your experience in the comments!
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