Editor's Note
Welcome to the intersection of human-centered care and artificial intelligence in occupational therapy!
This is the first issue of The OT Algorithm, and before we dive into tools, prompts, or headlines, I want to share why this exists and what you can expect.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between the "high-touch" nature of occupational therapy and the "high-tech" surge of AI, you aren’t alone. My recent keynote at the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association’s annual conference was titled "The Future of OT: Human-Centered Care in an AI-Driven World" because I believe something deeply important:
The more digital our systems become, the more valuable our human-to-human clinical reasoning becomes.
But here’s the catch—
to protect that human element, we have to understand the technology shaping our systems.
That’s why I built The OT Algorithm.
No tech jargon.
No corporate fluff.
Just practical, ethically-grounded AI literacy for OT students and practitioners who want to lead, not lag, through this shift.
🔥 Hot Take of the Week (A Weekly Challenge)
This is where I will challenge the status quo. Whether it’s debunking an "AI shortcut" that risks clinical integrity or highlighting a missed opportunity in our current documentation habits, we start every week with a perspective shift to set the stage.
The goal isn’t controversy for clicks; it’s clarity for the profession.
Why Me?
Hi, I’m Pooja.
I’m a double-board-certified occupational therapist and gerontologist with a background in acute care at a major trauma hospital. I know what it’s like to have 15 minutes to make a clinical impact in a sea of complex systems.
I’ve also spent a decade mentoring and teaching, so I also know the invisible workload of preparing curriculum, syllabi, assignments, and weekly lectures. And as a private practice owner, I understand the administrative burden that quietly fuels burnout.
I immersed myself in generative AI not to replace OT practitioners, but to protect them.
AI, when used responsibly, can offload the tasks that drain time and energy, so OTPs can reinvest in judgment, connection, and care.
The Weekly Rhythm
AI moves fast, but overwhelm helps no one.
This newsletter is designed to be read in 10 minutes or less, on a predictable schedule: every Wednesday morning at 8:30 Central.
Each issue includes:
📰 The Signal (AI News): One curated update from healthcare or regulation, translated into what it actually means for your daily practice or studies.
🧰 The Tool: A beginner-friendly look at one AI tool: what it’s good for, where it falls short, and when not to use it.
⚡ The Use Case: A real OT-relevant example of the tool in action (e.g., summarizing a complex neuro-rehab study or drafting a patient-friendly home program).
💬 Prompting Tip: One simple strategy to talk to AI so you get better, more tailored results.
⚖️ Ethics Corner: A brief reflection on privacy, bias, and professional responsibility. Because in OT, literacy without ethics is just risk.
and occasional other updates from/about me!
The Goal
We’re not trying to become AI experts overnight.
We’re moving from AI-anxious to AI-aware.
When we understand these tools, we can:
advocate for our clients,
protect our professional identity,
and ensure that OT values are built into the future of healthcare—not added as an afterthought.
Starting Next Week
The OT Algorithm is built as a freemium newsletter so learning stays accessible.
FREEmium subscribers receive: | PAID subscribers receive: |
|---|---|
1 full article/month | 4-5 full articles/month |
“Hot Take” each week | Share your hot take in the comments |
Ads to help offset costs | Ad-free experience |
and yes, it’s priced to be less than a monthly signature latte at your local coffee shop!
Thank you for being here from the very first post.
— Pooja
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