2024 ACAPT-JHR Student Essay Contest Winner

 Congratulations to Doctor of Physical Therapy Student Hannah Sy, PT, DPT (Northwestern University) winner of the annual Student Essay Contest, co-sponsored by the American Counsel of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) and the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation (JHR).  The seventh in an annual series, this national contest offers a creative opportunity to ignite critical reflection in Physical Therapy students across the nation to support holistic approaches to patient care. This year’s essay prompt was: Advances in AI technology are poised to transform the landscape of rehabilitation, raising intriguing questions about its impact on humanism in the field. 

How do you envision the integration of AI technology in rehabilitation impacting the essence of humanism in patient care? Discuss potential benefits and challenges in maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach while utilizing AI-driven techniques. Reflect on the role of empathy, personal connection, and tailored treatment plans in humanizing the rehabilitation process amidst increasing reliance on technological solutions. Draw insights from contemporary viewpoints on writing effective PT application essays, emphasizing the importance of weaving personal experiences and stories into your response to convey your understanding of AI’s potential impact on the humanistic dimension of rehabilitation.