# Home Program Compass — full text

> Home Program Compass is an independent educational publication about following clinician-prescribed home exercise programs and communicating what happens between visits.

# Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Physical Therapy

> Patient-reported outcome measures capture health information directly from you. Before interpreting a physical therapy questionnaire score, ask which measure was used, what it measures, and what a higher score means. Bring questions about the result to your therapist; a numerical change alone does not establish a meaningful improvement or authorize a different home exercise program.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/patient-reported-outcome-measures-physical-therapy/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-10-10  
Updated: 2026-10-10

## What are patient-reported outcome measures?

Patient-reported outcome measures capture health information directly from you. Before interpreting a physical therapy questionnaire score, ask which measure was used, what it measures, and what a higher score means. Bring questions about the result to your therapist; a numerical change alone does not establish a meaningful improvement or authorize a different home exercise program.

The [FDA glossary](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/patient-focused-drug-development-glossary) defines a patient-reported outcome as a report directly from the patient, without someone else interpreting the response. This differs from a clinician's assessment or a performance outcome based on a standardized task. A questionnaire and an observed task therefore provide different kinds of information; one is not simply another name for the other.

This guide explains questions to take to your clinic. It does not provide a questionnaire, calculate a clinical score, or recommend treatment.

## What should you identify before comparing scores?

Start with the label attached to the result. Our suggested discussion card has four fields:

| Field | What to bring or ask |
| --- | --- |
| Measure | Copy the full name from the result; ask the clinic to identify any abbreviation. |
| Version | Ask whether the two results use the same form or version. |
| Date | Record when each questionnaire was completed. |
| Meaning | Ask the therapist to explain the score's direction and its relevance to your goals. |

For example, a portal may show two numbers on separate dates without displaying the full questionnaire names in the same view. Your first question can be: "Are these results from the same measure, and are they directly comparable?" Leave that question open until the clinic answers it. Do not create a combined score from unrelated entries.

This card is an original preparation aid, not a scoring instrument. Keep the clinic's result separate from your own notes, so it remains clear which wording came from the report and which wording is your question.

## Does a higher score always mean better function?

No. [HealthMeasures' interpretation guide](https://healthmeasures.net/interpret-scores/) explains that a higher T-score means more of the concept being measured. For PROMIS Physical Function, higher scores mean more function. For fatigue, higher scores mean more fatigue. The direction depends on the measure.

Write the measure's name beside the number rather than labeling every increase "better." Ask the clinic to explain any unfamiliar score before using it in a progress conversation. These examples do not establish how every physical therapy questionnaire is scored.

## How much change is meaningful?

[HealthMeasures distinguishes numerical change from clinically meaningful change](https://healthmeasures.net/interpret-scores/meaningful-change/). It also distinguishes comparisons involving groups from change in an individual person. A threshold discussed in a research study is not automatically an instruction for interpreting your own result.

Here is an arithmetic exercise, not a clinical example: a fictional score moves from 50 to 52. The difference is 52 minus 50, or 2 points. That calculation cannot by itself answer whether the change matters for treatment. Ask: "How do you interpret this change for me, using this particular measure?"

## How can you prepare a useful score discussion?

Use three separate lines on a page:

1. **The reported result:** copy the result and its date without adding a judgment.
2. **Your question:** write what you do not understand about the result.
3. **The explanation:** leave space for the therapist's answer and any agreed follow-up.

An original worked example might read: "The report shows 52 on the latest date. I do not know whether this is comparable with the earlier 50. I want to understand what this result tells us about my goal of managing the steps at home."

Notice what the example leaves undecided: whether the score is favorable, whether the difference is meaningful, and whether the program should change. Those are questions for the appointment, not conclusions produced by the worksheet.

Before the discussion ends, read back your understanding: "Have I understood the result correctly?" Then record the clinician's actual explanation. If something remains unclear, write the unanswered question rather than filling the gap with a guess. For broader preparation, use our [questions about home exercises](/questions-ask-physical-therapist-home-exercises/).

## Should the result change your home program?

Follow your therapist's individual instructions. [APTA's preparation guide](https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/prepare) says to do prescribed exercises at the prescribed frequency, repetitions, and resistance; more is not always better and may cause injury. A questionnaire result is not a replacement exercise prescription. Ask the therapist about any proposed change.

Arrange how to discuss results if your appointment is remote; our [video appointment guide](/prepare-physical-therapy-video-appointment/) covers that preparation.

**Do not wait for a questionnaire review or portal reply during an emergency.** For possible heart attack symptoms, including chest pressure, call 911 in the United States. The [American Heart Association](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack) advises calling even if you are unsure.

## Sources

- [FDA: patient-focused glossary](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/development-approval-process-drugs/patient-focused-drug-development-glossary)
- [HealthMeasures: score interpretation](https://healthmeasures.net/interpret-scores/)
- [HealthMeasures: meaningful change](https://healthmeasures.net/interpret-scores/meaningful-change/)
- [APTA: preparing for physical therapy](https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/prepare)
- [AHA: heart attack warning signs](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack)

## Frequently asked questions

**Is a questionnaire score the same as a therapist's assessment?**

No. A patient-reported outcome comes directly from your report, while a clinician assessment involves clinical judgment. Bring questions about both to the appointment. On your discussion card, keep the questionnaire's name and result separate from the therapist's explanation, rather than presenting them as interchangeable descriptions.

**Does a rising PROMIS score always mean improvement?**

No. Higher scores indicate more of the concept being measured: higher Physical Function scores mean more function, while higher fatigue scores mean more fatigue. Ask which measure appears on your report. Avoid writing a general better-or-worse label before the clinic explains the result in its context.

**Does a two-point increase mean I should do more exercise?**

Subtraction alone cannot establish a clinically meaningful change, and a result does not replace your therapist's instructions. Ask how the specific measure informs your care. Keep following the prescribed program unless your clinician changes it; do not increase repetitions or resistance because a number went up.


---

# Physical Therapy Exercise Log: What to Record

> A physical therapy exercise log should record the date, exact exercise version, prescribed dose, amount completed, symptoms or function before starting, observable response during the exercise, later recovery, and any action taken. Note side, setup, equipment, resistance, and clinician-approved modifications so entries remain comparable. Do not diagnose the cause, test a warning repeatedly, or delay contacting the care team when a response exceeds the program’s stop rules.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/physical-therapy-exercise-log/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-07-19  
Updated: 2026-08-26

## Record the prescribed dose and the response that followed

A physical therapy exercise log should capture the date, exact exercise version, prescribed dose, amount completed, symptoms before and during, technique issue, and recovery afterward. Use neutral observations rather than diagnosing the cause. “Knee pain rose from my usual level during the second set and settled after stopping” gives the clinician more to work with than “exercise is bad.”

More reporting tools live in [progress communication](/progress-communication/).

## Build a compact table

Use one row per exercise or session:

| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Date and time | When the session occurred |
| Exercise version | Name plus current setup, side, equipment, or resistance |
| Prescribed dose | Repetitions, holds, sets, frequency, and rest from the clinician |
| Completed dose | What you actually performed |
| Before | Relevant symptoms or function before starting |
| During | Effort, symptom location, timing, and technique change |
| After | Immediate response and recovery later |
| Action | Continued, modified as prescribed, stopped, or contacted care team |

Do not invent precision. If a symptom time was not measured, write “several minutes” rather than awarding it 7 minutes and 14 seconds because the form looked hungry.

## Name the exact exercise version

Exercise names can hide meaningful changes. Record side, starting position, support, range, band or weight identifier, tempo, and clinician-approved modification. For a resistance band, note brand, color, anchor, and position because color is not standardized across manufacturers.

Do not change those variables for the sake of the log. The [home exercise program guide](/physical-therapy-home-exercise-program/) explains why progression belongs with the treating clinician; [home program basics](/home-program-basics/) covers setup checks.

## Describe symptoms without diagnosing them

Record location, quality in your own words, onset, change during the movement, and how long it took to return toward baseline. Note new swelling, numbness, weakness, instability, dizziness, breathlessness, or another relevant response.

Avoid assigning a tissue, disease, or mechanism. “Pulling behind the thigh at the prescribed range” is an observation. “Hamstring scar tissue breaking up” is a conclusion that the home log cannot establish.

Use a rating scale only when the clinician selected it and explained how to apply it. Keep the same scale so entries are comparable.

## Record stopped sessions honestly

A stopped exercise is important clinical information. Note the repetition or time when the response began, what changed, and whether you followed a pre-agreed modification or contacted the clinic.

Do not restart repeatedly to prove the response is real. Do not exceed a stop rule to produce a more impressive data point. The purpose is communication, not symptom collection.

Seek urgent care for chest pain, fainting, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, new loss of bladder or bowel control, severe symptoms after trauma, or other emergency signs. A spreadsheet is not an emergency department and has frankly never claimed to be.

## Add a later recovery check

When the clinician requests it, record how you feel later that day and the next morning. Include sleep, ordinary activity, and other exercise when they materially affect interpretation. Do not attribute every change to the home program without assessment.

Use the clinician’s stated response window. If symptoms persist beyond it, worsen, or concern you, follow the contact instructions rather than waiting until the next appointment merely to complete a prettier trend line.

## Prepare a one-minute appointment summary

Before the visit, highlight:

- exercises completed as prescribed;
- any repeated stop or technique problem;
- the strongest or newest response;
- recovery pattern;
- questions about the next dose, modification, or equipment.

Bring the original entries so the summary can be checked. Ask the clinician to review the log fields and remove anything that does not help the plan.

The best exercise log is not the most detailed. It is the one that preserves the current prescription, records meaningful responses, and helps two people make the next clinical decision with less guesswork.

## Frequently asked questions

**What should I track in a physical therapy exercise log?**

Track the exact exercise and version, prescribed and completed repetitions, holds, sets, resistance, rest, relevant symptoms before and during, technique changes, immediate response, later recovery, and whether you stopped or contacted the clinic. Use the clinician’s chosen scale and terminology where provided. Keep the entry concise enough to complete consistently after the session.

**Should I record pain during physical therapy exercises?**

Yes, when the treating clinician asks you to monitor it or it affects the session. Record location, quality in your own words, timing, change, and recovery using any scale the clinician selected. Do not assume pain is required, diagnose its cause, or continue past a stop rule. A new, severe, sharp, worsening, or concerning response warrants contact or urgent care as appropriate.

**How detailed should a PT exercise tracker be?**

Detailed enough to distinguish the current exercise version and response, but short enough to maintain. Side, position, resistance, prescribed dose, completed dose, and meaningful symptoms usually matter more than a long diary entry. Ask the clinician which fields influence decisions. Remove decorative data that is never reviewed, because recording should support the program rather than replace it.

**What if I cannot complete the prescribed PT repetitions?**

Stop according to the program’s rules and record what you completed, when technique or symptoms changed, and what happened afterward. Do not hide the shortfall, force the remaining repetitions, or add them to the next session without instruction. Contact the treating clinician when the response exceeds the agreed limit or when the dose repeatedly cannot be completed.

**Should I bring my exercise log to physical therapy?**

Yes. Highlight repeated problems, new symptoms, recovery patterns, and questions, then bring the original entries for context. Ask the clinician to confirm which exercise versions remain current and how to document future responses. The log can improve recall between visits, but it does not replace examination, clinical judgment, or urgent evaluation for emergency symptoms.


---

# Physical Therapy Home Exercises: Follow the Plan Safely

> Follow only physical therapy home exercises prescribed or approved for you by a qualified clinician. Confirm the starting position, movement, breathing, repetitions, holds, sets, resistance, frequency, equipment, expected response, and stop rules before practicing alone. Use the prescribed dose rather than adding volume, inspect equipment and the environment, record what you actually completed, and pause for clarification when symptoms, instructions, or medical restrictions differ from the agreed plan.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/physical-therapy-home-exercise-program/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-07-19  
Updated: 2026-08-26

## Follow the exact program prescribed for you

Physical therapy home exercises should come from a qualified clinician who has assessed you and explained the movement, dose, equipment, precautions, and stop rules. Before the first solo session, confirm what each exercise is meant to train, how it should feel, and what response requires a call. Do not replace an unclear instruction with a similar-looking video; bodies are not interchangeable browser tabs.

The preparation guides in [home program basics](/home-program-basics/) help preserve the individual plan rather than creating a new one.

## Make one instruction card per exercise

Record the clinician’s wording for:

- exercise name and purpose;
- starting position and setup;
- movement sequence and breathing cues;
- prescribed repetitions, holds, sets, resistance, and frequency;
- rest between efforts;
- acceptable effort or symptom response;
- specific stop rules and contact instructions;
- date the instruction was given or changed.

Use photos or video only with permission and according to clinic privacy policy. A handout may be a memory aid, but ask the clinician to watch you perform the movement and correct it before relying on the page alone.

Never copy another patient’s dose. Even when two exercises share a name, the intended range, resistance, speed, and precautions can differ.

## Prepare the environment

Choose the space and equipment the clinician approved. Remove trip hazards, secure pets and children away from moving equipment, and use a stable support only if it was part of the instruction. A dining chair with wheels has applied for the wrong job.

Inspect bands, straps, weights, steps, and anchors before use. Follow manufacturer limits and placement instructions. Do not improvise door anchors, stack unstable surfaces, or add weight because the prescribed version feels familiar.

Keep a phone or assistance available when the clinician recommends it. Follow individualized fall, surgery, weight-bearing, movement, or cardiopulmonary precautions exactly.

## Perform a setup check before the first repetition

Ask:

1. Is this the correct exercise and current version?
2. Is the prescribed equipment intact and positioned correctly?
3. Does my starting position match the instruction?
4. Are today’s symptoms or medical instructions different?
5. Do I know the stop rule and contact route?

If the program is unclear or today’s condition falls outside what was discussed, pause and contact the clinician. Do not use internet advice to vote down a postoperative or diagnosis-specific restriction.

## Use only the prescribed dose

Complete the repetitions, holds, sets, frequency, and resistance assigned to you. More is not automatically faster rehabilitation. Extra volume may change fatigue, technique, tissue demand, and recovery.

Count only technically acceptable repetitions as the clinician defined them. Stop a set when technique changes or the specified threshold is reached. Do not repeat a missed day’s full dose on top of today’s program unless the clinician directs it.

The [physical therapy exercise log](/physical-therapy-exercise-log/) records the actual dose and response, while [progress communication](/progress-communication/) turns those notes into a concise update.

## Distinguish expected effort from a warning

Ask the clinician in advance whether muscle effort, stretching, fatigue, or temporary symptom change is expected for each exercise and how long it may last. Do not assume pain is required or harmless.

Stop and contact the care team for a new, sharp, severe, worsening, or otherwise concerning symptom; loss of control; marked swelling; new numbness or weakness; a fall; or a response beyond the clinician’s stated limits. Seek urgent care for chest pain, fainting, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, new loss of bladder or bowel control, severe symptoms after trauma, or other emergency signs.

## Review the plan at every relevant visit

Bring the cards and log. Demonstrate the exercises when requested and ask which instructions remain current, which change, and which stop. Cross out retired versions without deleting their dates, so an old printout cannot quietly return from the kitchen counter.

The goal is not to memorize a library of exercises. It is to perform the current individualized plan accurately, report the response honestly, and let the clinician—not enthusiasm—decide the next progression.

## Frequently asked questions

**How often should I do physical therapy home exercises?**

Use the exact frequency prescribed for your individual program. The appropriate schedule depends on the condition, exercise purpose, tissue tolerance, recovery, other activity, health, and stage of care. Do not borrow a frequency from another patient or generic video. If you miss a session or the response changes, ask the treating clinician how to resume rather than doubling the next dose.

**Should physical therapy exercises hurt?**

Do not assume pain is necessary or safe. Ask the clinician what effort, stretch, fatigue, or temporary symptom response is expected for each exercise and what limits apply. Stop for a new, sharp, severe, worsening, or otherwise concerning response and contact the care team. Emergency symptoms require urgent evaluation rather than another test repetition.

**Can I add more repetitions when an exercise feels easy?**

Not without the clinician’s progression plan or approval. More repetitions change volume and fatigue, while added resistance, range, speed, or frequency changes other demands. An exercise feeling easier may be useful information, but it does not identify the appropriate next variable. Record the response and ask which progression, if any, supports the treatment goal.

**What if I forget how to do a PT exercise?**

Pause and use the clinic-provided handout, approved media, or contact route. Do not substitute a similarly named online exercise, because setup, range, dose, and precautions may differ. At the next visit, demonstrate the movement and ask the clinician to correct it. Update the instruction card with the date so an older version does not remain in use.

**What equipment is safe for home physical therapy?**

Use only the equipment and setup approved for your program, following manufacturer instructions and clinician precautions. Inspect bands, straps, anchors, weights, and supports before use. Do not improvise anchors, unstable steps, or rolling furniture. When equipment is worn, damaged, unavailable, or positioned differently, pause and ask for a safe alternative rather than redesigning the exercise yourself.


---

# Prepare for a Physical Therapy Video Appointment

> Confirm that a video visit is suitable with your treating clinic, test its connection instructions, and arrange a private, stable camera setup. Have your current program and questions ready, and agree what happens if the call drops. This is appointment preparation, not an exercise prescription: perform only clinician-approved movements and follow individual precautions. Stop and call local emergency services for chest pressure, severe breathing difficulty or other emergency warning signs; do not wait for a video appointment.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/prepare-physical-therapy-video-appointment/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-09-08  
Updated: 2026-09-08

## How should you prepare for a physical therapy video appointment?

Confirm that a video visit is suitable with your treating clinic, test its connection instructions, and arrange a private, stable camera setup. Have your current program and questions ready, and agree what happens if the call drops. This is appointment preparation, not an exercise prescription: perform only clinician-approved movements and follow individual precautions. Stop and call local emergency services for chest pressure, severe breathing difficulty or other emergency warning signs; do not wait for a video appointment.

## What must the clinic confirm before the visit?

A video appointment is one way to receive some physical therapy services, not a replacement for every examination or treatment. [HHS's physical therapy telehealth overview](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/how-can-i-use-telehealth-physical-therapy) describes video visits and secure messaging, and directs patients to ask their provider or insurer about coverage and costs.

Ask the clinic whether the planned visit fits your current needs and what would require an in-person assessment instead. Tell the team about a relevant change in your condition before the appointment, rather than assuming the original booking still answers it.

Check these administrative details:

- Appointment date, time and time zone.
- Whether it is a video call, telephone call or another arrangement.
- The clinic's actual joining instructions and technical-support contact.
- Forms or documents the clinic wants beforehand.
- Expected charges and which party can answer coverage questions.
- What to do if you cannot connect or attend.

Do not infer coverage from the word “telehealth.” A provider's ability to offer a video visit and an insurer's payment decision are separate questions. Keep the clinic's answer with your confirmation, not as a general rule for other providers.

## How do you test the technology without rehearsing exercises?

Follow the platform instructions supplied by the clinic. Check the camera, microphone, sound and connection before the appointment. [HHS's patient preparation guide](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-should-i-know-before-my-telehealth-visit) recommends testing the technology, joining early, using a quiet setting and keeping the device steady.

A technology check is not a movement assessment. You can establish that the microphone works without trying the exercise, testing your balance or repeating a movement that caused symptoms.

Keep the device on a stable, suitable surface or manufacturer-approved support. Route charging cables away from walking space and keep equipment dry. Do not climb, improvise a high stack of objects, alter electrical equipment or reach beyond your safe capacity to improve the image. Ask for help or a different appointment arrangement when the setup cannot be made suitable.

Use the clinic's requested arrival interval. One specific example illustrates why instructions differ: Cambridge University Hospitals' [hand-therapy video leaflet](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/hand-therapy-video-appointment-preparation/) asks its patients to allow 10–20 minutes for equipment testing. That is a local hand-therapy instruction, not a universal physical therapy rule.

## Does a clear face image show enough for physical therapy?

Not necessarily. A camera position that works for conversation may not show the area the clinician needs to assess. Ask what view is needed before moving yourself or the device.

The Cambridge leaflet describes positioning its hand-therapy patients so the therapist can see the face and hand or arm. It also asks patients to have their existing therapy items available. This is a useful example of appointment-specific preparation; it does not establish the right camera distance, furniture or equipment for a knee, walking or balance assessment.

Here is an original setup worksheet:

| Check | Record what is known | If it is unresolved |
|---|---|---|
| Conversation view | Clinician can hear and see you | Ask for technical help |
| Assessment view | Clinic has explained what must be visible | Request clarification before moving |
| Support | Approved equipment and assistance are available | Do not improvise a substitute |
| Device adjustment | Can be made without unsafe reaching | Ask another approved person or change the arrangement |
| Privacy | You can discuss care comfortably | Tell the clinic what accommodation is needed |

The worksheet does not approve a room or certify that movement is safe. “Camera tested” and “clinician has approved this assessment setup” are different entries.

## What if you need an interpreter or another person present?

Discuss communication support before the visit. Explain what helps you understand and respond: captions, an interpreter, accessible instructions, a support person or another arrangement. Ask how that support will join and whether the clinic needs any permission documentation.

[HHS's provider preparation guidance](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/preparing-patients-for-telehealth/helping-patients-prepare-for-their-appointment) specifically addresses privacy when an interpreter or caregiver is present, including what the patient is comfortable allowing that person to hear.

Tell the clinician who is in the room, including someone helping with the device. A person assisting with technology has not automatically been trained to support a movement or prevent a fall. Physical assistance must follow the clinician's individual instructions and the helper's training.

If you cannot speak privately, tell the care team through its approved contact route. Do not accept an arrangement that prevents you from discussing an important concern merely to keep the original booking.

Ask before recording. Cambridge's leaflet, for example, directs patients to discuss recording with the therapist first. Follow your clinic's consent and privacy process; do not secretly record or include another person's private information.

## What information belongs beside the screen?

Have the current clinic-provided program, relevant existing notes, medication information and questions the clinic requested within reach. Do not create extra measurements, provoke symptoms or perform a new self-test to make the appointment notes look complete.

Our [progress communication collection](/progress-communication/) covers describing observations without assigning a diagnosis. For this visit, organise the material into three clearly labelled groups:

1. **Current instructions:** the version the clinic has confirmed.
2. **What happened:** observations and actions already taken.
3. **What needs an answer:** an unclear instruction, changed circumstance or practical obstacle.

Keep an older program identifiable as older. Do not silently combine two versions when you cannot tell which is current.

An illustrative question might be: “This is the handout I received last time. Does it remain the current version after today's discussion?” That is an original communication prompt, not a recommendation to continue an uncertain exercise until the next appointment.

## What is the plan if the video freezes?

Agree the reconnection arrangement before starting any clinician-directed assessment: who calls whom, which number to use and when the clinic wants you to stop trying the platform. [HHS's emergency-planning guidance](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/preparing-patients-for-telehealth/creating-an-emergency-plan) also calls for confirming the patient's current location, local support contacts and a disconnection plan.

For an ordinary technical problem, [HHS troubleshooting advice](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-if-im-having-trouble-using-telehealth) includes checking device power, using the provider's help and, where appropriate, restarting the application or trying another device. Follow clinic instructions; do not change platforms or send health details through an unapproved channel.

Our practical safety rule is to stop the movement when communication is lost, using your clinician's instructions for stopping safely. Do not continue a balance or movement assessment while assuming a frozen image is being observed. If no safe stopping or assistance plan has been established, raise that before beginning.

A failed connection is not permission to turn an assessment into unsupervised practice.

## When should emergency help replace the appointment?

Emergency warning signs take priority over joining, troubleshooting or waiting for a routine reply. The [American Heart Association](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack) advises calling emergency services for heart-attack warning signs even when unsure; discomfort can begin mildly or come and go.

For chest pressure or other emergency symptoms, stop and call 911 in the United States or your local emergency number elsewhere. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe, for the therapist to reconnect or for the next available slot. A clinic contact number and emergency services serve different purposes.

Before ending an ordinary, nonemergency visit, confirm the next contact, how the written summary will arrive and which instructions are now current. The result should be a clear care-team plan, not a new exercise program assembled from this webpage.

## Sources

- [HHS: physical therapy through telehealth](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/how-can-i-use-telehealth-physical-therapy)
- [HHS: patient preparation](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-should-i-know-before-my-telehealth-visit)
- [Cambridge University Hospitals: hand-therapy video preparation](https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/hand-therapy-video-appointment-preparation/)
- [HHS: preparing patients and arranging privacy](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/preparing-patients-for-telehealth/helping-patients-prepare-for-their-appointment)
- [HHS: emergency and disconnection planning](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/preparing-patients-for-telehealth/creating-an-emergency-plan)
- [HHS: technical troubleshooting](https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-if-im-having-trouble-using-telehealth)
- [American Heart Association: emergency warning signs](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack)

## Frequently asked questions

**Can every physical therapy appointment be done by video?**

No. Ask your treating clinic whether a video appointment suits your current needs and what requires an in-person assessment. Report relevant changes before the visit. Availability does not establish insurance coverage, and a booked video appointment is not an emergency service. Use local emergency help for emergency warning signs.

**Should I practise exercises while testing the camera?**

A camera test is not a clinical movement assessment. Check picture and sound without adding exercises, balance tests or symptom-provoking movements. Ask the clinician what view and support are required. Perform only approved movements under your individual instructions; do not improvise equipment or an unsafe position to fit the screen.

**Can a family member help during a physical therapy video visit?**

Discuss their presence and role with the clinic first, including privacy and any permissions. Tell the clinician who is in the room. Helping with a phone does not qualify someone to provide physical assistance or prevent a fall. Any movement support must follow the clinician's instructions and the helper's training.

**What should I do if the video cuts out during an exercise?**

Use the clinician-agreed safe stopping plan and the agreed reconnection route. Do not continue an assessment while assuming the therapist can see a frozen image. Establish the plan before beginning. Emergency symptoms require local emergency services, not repeated attempts to reconnect or a routine message to the clinic.

**How early should I join a video physical therapy visit?**

Follow your clinic's joining instructions and test the equipment in advance. There is no universal arrival interval in this guide: the cited Cambridge hand-therapy leaflet gives its own patients a specific testing allowance. If you need help connecting or communicating, arrange it beforehand rather than using appointment time for an unplanned setup.


---

# Questions to Ask About PT Home Exercises

> Ask your physical therapist what each home exercise is meant to improve, how to perform it, how many repetitions or how long, how often, which resistance and setup to use, what response is expected, what should make you stop, and whom to contact. Demonstrate the movement and explain the plan back in your own words. Leave with one dated, written version of the current program.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/questions-ask-physical-therapist-home-exercises/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-09-05  
Updated: 2026-09-07

## What should you ask about physical therapy home exercises?

Before leaving physical therapy with a home exercise program, ask what each exercise is for, exactly how to perform it, how often to do it, which resistance or equipment to use, what response is expected, what should make you stop, and whom to contact with a problem. Demonstrate the plan back to your physical therapist and leave with written instructions matched to your current program.

This is a communication checklist, not an exercise prescription. It does not supply repetitions, resistance, range, pain limits, or progression rules. Those details depend on your condition, examination, goals, other health factors, and the plan made by your licensed clinician.

## Start with the job of each exercise

Ask: **“What is this exercise meant to help me do?”**

An answer such as “strengthen your leg” may still be too broad to guide a home session. Ask how the exercise relates to a function that matters to you: standing from a chair, reaching a shelf, walking a certain route, using stairs, returning to work, or tolerating a daily task.

Then ask what would count as progress. The answer might involve movement quality, function, confidence, a symptom pattern, or another clinician-selected measure. It should not be reduced automatically to “more repetitions.”

Write the purpose beside the exercise name. When a program contains several similar movements, the purpose helps you distinguish them and report whether the plan is doing its intended job.

## Ask for the exact starting dose

The American Physical Therapy Association's patient resource, [Preparing for Your Visit](https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/prepare), tells patients to follow their physical therapist's instructions for frequency, repetitions, and specific resistance, such as a weight or band colour. It also cautions that more is not always better.

For each exercise, ask:

- How many repetitions or how long should one effort last?
- How many sets belong in one session?
- How often should I do it?
- How much rest should I take within and between exercises?
- Which band, weight, support, device, or setup should I use?
- Is the instruction per side or total?
- Does the order matter?
- Is there a maximum I should not exceed?

Do not fill a blank with an online average. “Three sets” or “daily” can sound ordinary while being wrong for your plan. If the printed sheet and the verbal instruction disagree, ask the clinician to reconcile them before you leave.

Your [physical therapy home-exercise guide](/physical-therapy-home-exercise-program/) explains how to place a clinician-prescribed program into a realistic routine once these fields are complete.

## Ask for a show-me version of the movement

Ask the physical therapist to demonstrate the exercise, then perform it while they watch. A picture shows a position; it may not show how you enter it, where effort should occur, what should remain still, how quickly to move, or how to breathe.

Use these prompts:

- Where should I feel the work?
- What should remain relaxed or still?
- What is the start position and finish position?
- How large should the movement be?
- Should I hold the position? If so, for the exact prescribed time?
- What are the two most important form cues?
- What common compensation should I watch for?
- May I use a mirror, wall, chair, rail, or caregiver assistance?

If your home surface, furniture, or equipment differs from the clinic setup, describe it. Do not assume a bed, sofa, rolling chair, resistance band, step, or countertop is equivalent. Ask the therapist to approve the actual setup or give you a safe substitute.

## Use teach-back instead of “Do I understand?”

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality describes [teach-back](https://www.ahrq.gov/teamstepps-program/curriculum/communication/tools/teachback.html) as explaining the needed action in your own words so the clinician can confirm that the information was clear. AHRQ also describes a related “show-me” method for demonstrating an instruction.

Try this sentence:

> I want to make sure I have the plan right. May I show you one round and explain when, how often, and under what conditions I should do it?

Demonstrate only what you can do safely in the appointment. While you perform it, say:

1. The exercise name or identifying description
2. Its purpose
3. The exact starting position
4. The movement and key form cues
5. The prescribed amount, rest, and frequency
6. The expected response
7. The stop or contact rule

This is not a test of your memory. AHRQ's [teach-back implementation guidance](https://www.ahrq.gov/health-literacy/improve/precautions/tool5.html) says patients may refer to written material and that the method checks how clearly information was explained. If your explanation reveals a mismatch, the clinician can rephrase, demonstrate again, or correct the handout.

## Ask what response is expected

Do not ask only, **“Will this hurt?”** Pain and symptom expectations can be specific to the condition and exercise. Ask for observable boundaries:

- What sensations might be expected during this movement?
- Where might I feel them?
- How strong may the response be for my plan?
- How soon should it settle after the exercise?
- What change at the next session should I report?
- Which symptom means stop now rather than finish the set?
- Which change needs routine contact, prompt clinical contact, or emergency help?

Write the clinician's exact answer. Do not replace it with a generic traffic-light chart or a rule from a different diagnosis. If the answer is unclear, use a concrete example from your recent experience: what you felt, where, during which repetition or position, how long it lasted, and what happened afterward.

If symptoms change at home, record the sequence in the [physical therapy exercise log](/physical-therapy-exercise-log/). The log supports a conversation; it does not decide whether an exercise is safe to continue.

Call emergency services for symptoms that may represent an emergency. Do not wait for a routine therapy reply when you have severe breathing difficulty, new signs of stroke, chest pressure, loss of consciousness, or another urgent warning described by your local emergency guidance.

## Ask what to do on a difficult day

A home program may collide with fatigue, a flare, poor sleep, illness, travel, a change in medication, or an unusually demanding day. Ask the clinician for a plan before one of those days arrives.

Useful questions include:

- Which exercises are essential, and which are optional if capacity is limited?
- Is there an approved shorter version?
- Should I change the range, resistance, repetitions, position, or timing—or contact you before changing anything?
- What should I do after a missed session?
- Should I avoid making up missed work?
- Does a new illness, fall, procedure, medication change, or activity restriction change the plan?

The safe answer may be different for different exercises. Write it beside the relevant item rather than creating one blanket “easy day” rule.

## Ask how and when the plan may progress

Do not progress a prescribed exercise because it feels easy once. Ask:

- What exact sign shows that I am ready to progress?
- Which single variable changes first?
- Who decides the change?
- How long should the new version be observed before another change?
- What should make me return to the prior version or contact the clinic?

Progress might mean better control, a different range, more resistance, longer duration, a new surface, less support, or a task closer to your goal. It is not always more volume.

Ask the clinician to mark the current version clearly. Cross out retired instructions or label them with dates if the clinic agrees. A folder containing three contradictory handouts is not a flexible program; it is an avoidable communication failure.

## Ask about equipment and the home environment

List every item the program requires. Confirm:

- Exact band colour, weight, device, support, or setting
- Whether products from different brands use comparable resistance labels
- How to anchor or position equipment
- What wear, damage, or instability means the item should not be used
- Whether footwear matters
- Whether a caregiver needs training
- What clear floor space, lighting, wall support, or sturdy furniture is required
- Which setup should never be improvised

If an exercise depends on a door anchor, rail, step, unstable surface, mobility device, or another load-bearing setup, have the physical therapist approve the arrangement. Do not use furniture, structural fixings, or equipment beyond their instructions or rated purpose. Route installation, structural, electrical, or equipment-repair work to the appropriate qualified person.

Ask whether the clinic can photograph the approved setup on your device or add a diagram to the handout, subject to its privacy policy. Do not include another patient, private chart information, or clinic material you are not allowed to photograph.

## Ask how the program fits your actual week

Describe the schedule you can realistically follow. Include work shifts, caregiving, transport, school, sleep, and other prescribed care. Ask whether the exercises must be completed together or can be divided, and whether timing relative to another activity matters.

If cost, travel, language, hearing, vision, memory, technology, equipment, or space makes the plan difficult, say so plainly. APTA's preparation guide advises discussing financial changes that may affect visit frequency and asking for explanation when instructions or equipment use are unclear.

Request accessible instructions in the format you can use: larger print, plain language, images, an interpreter, a translated handout, captions, or a caregiver demonstration when appropriate. Confirm how the clinic handles messages and how quickly routine questions are normally answered.

## Leave with a complete exercise card

Use one card per current exercise:

| Field | Clinician-confirmed entry |
|---|---|
| Exercise and current version |  |
| Purpose or functional goal |  |
| Starting position |  |
| Movement and top two cues |  |
| Repetitions or duration |  |
| Sets, rest, and frequency |  |
| Equipment or resistance |  |
| Expected response |  |
| Stop and contact rules |  |
| Approved difficult-day option |  |
| Progression decision |  |
| Date confirmed |  |

Before leaving, compare this card with the clinic handout or app. Confirm that older versions are retired and that you know which document is current.

## A final ten-question check

Ask these before the visit ends:

1. What is each exercise meant to improve?
2. What exact version am I doing now?
3. How much, how often, and with what rest?
4. Which equipment and setup should I use?
5. What should good form look and feel like?
6. What response is expected during and after it?
7. What makes me stop, contact the clinic, or seek urgent help?
8. What is the approved plan for a difficult or missed day?
9. Who decides when and how it progresses?
10. How do I reach the right person with a question?

Then show one exercise back and explain the plan in your own words. The goal is not to leave with more instructions. It is to leave with one current program whose purpose, dose, technique, boundaries, and update path are clear.

## Frequently asked questions

**What should I ask before doing a physical therapy exercise at home?**

Confirm the exercise's purpose, starting position, movement, key form cues, repetitions or duration, sets, rest, frequency, equipment, expected response, and stop or contact rules. Ask whether timing or exercise order matters. Then demonstrate one round and explain the plan in your own words so the physical therapist can correct any mismatch before you practise alone.

**How do I know how many physical therapy repetitions to do?**

Use the number prescribed for your current exercise and condition. Ask whether the instruction is per side or total, how many sets to complete, how much rest to take, and whether there is a maximum. Do not substitute a common online number or add repetitions because the movement feels easy. Ask who should decide progression and which sign will trigger that decision.

**What is teach-back in a physical therapy appointment?**

Teach-back means explaining the plan in your own words so the clinician can check whether it was communicated clearly. For an exercise, combine it with show-me: demonstrate the start position, movement, dose, equipment, expected response, and stop rule. You may refer to the written instructions. It is a test of communication, not a memory examination or a judgment of the patient.

**Should I change a home exercise if it is too easy or difficult?**

Ask for an approved change plan before adjusting it. The relevant variable could be repetitions, resistance, range, support, position, duration, or something else, and the safe choice depends on your individual program. Confirm which sign permits a change, who makes that decision, and what response means return to the previous version or contact the physical therapist.

**What should I do if a physical therapy exercise causes symptoms?**

Follow the specific stop and contact instructions your physical therapist gave for that exercise and condition. Record what you did, what you felt, where it occurred, when it began, how long it lasted, and what happened afterward. Contact the clinic when directed. For possible emergency symptoms, use local emergency services rather than waiting for a routine therapy reply.


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# How to Request Your Physical Therapy Records

> Contact the treating provider's records office or use its official patient portal. Specify the dates and existing records you want, confirm delivery and possible fees, and keep the request confirmation. Check the received documents without treating old instructions as a current exercise prescription. This US adult own-records guide is administrative education, not medical or legal advice. Follow clinician-approved care; call 911 for chest pressure or other emergency warning signs rather than waiting for records.

Source: https://summitptsyracuse.com/request-physical-therapy-records/  
Publisher: Home Program Compass  
Published: 2026-09-08  
Updated: 2026-09-08

## How do you request your physical therapy records?

Contact the treating provider's records office or use its official patient portal. Specify the dates and existing records you want, confirm delivery and possible fees, and keep the request confirmation. Check the received documents without treating old instructions as a current exercise prescription. This US adult own-records guide is administrative education, not medical or legal advice. Follow clinician-approved care; call 911 for chest pressure or other emergency warning signs rather than waiting for records.

A records request helps organize documented information, not establish a diagnosis or authorize a new home program. No patient file was accessed for this article.

## Which access rules does this guide describe?

The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, does not apply to every person or service that handles health information. [HHS's medical-records explanation](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records/index.html) describes access to medical and billing records held by health plans and providers covered by its Privacy Rule, with limited exceptions.

Here, the request is an adult patient seeking their own copy. Requests involving another person's records, a minor, a representative, litigation or special confidentiality rules need separate guidance. Ask the provider's privacy office or a qualified adviser about the applicable process; a generic worksheet does not establish legal authority.

Nor does “physical therapy records” mean every document is automatically available or already exists. [HHS's record-scope FAQ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2042/what-personal-health-information-do-individuals/index.html) includes clinical notes within the accessible designated record set, subject to exceptions. It also explains that access does not require a provider to create a new analysis or explanatory document.

Ask for identifiable existing material. Ask the clinician separately for explanation or confirmation of current care.

## Where should you start?

The federal [Get It guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/get-it/) recommends checking the provider's patient portal, then its website or records staff if the needed information is unavailable. A portal may display only part of the record.

Use a contact route verified through the actual provider. Do not send medical details to a look-alike directory, public comment box or social-media account because it appears in a search result. Ask which department handles access requests and how to submit any identity information securely.

Ask which request process to use and how to identify the dates and documents.

If you need an accessible format, language support or a non-portal route, raise that at the start. Confirm what the office can provide rather than assuming every clinic uses the same software or form.

## What should your request identify?

Prepare a short scope note before completing the provider's process. The table below is an editorial organizer, not a legal release form or a promise that each document exists.

| Field | What to establish |
|---|---|
| Correct record holder | The practice or organization that maintains the records |
| Patient identification | What the verified records office needs through its approved route |
| Date range | The period of treatment you are requesting |
| Existing document types | For example, evaluation, visit notes, existing program handouts or discharge documentation |
| Copy destination | Your own agreed delivery destination |
| Format | A readable paper or electronic format you can use |
| Follow-up contact | The records office and request reference, if supplied |

“Please send my January visit notes and any home-program handouts held with that episode” identifies existing material; the office can explain what it holds.

If a handout was given separately or stored in another system, mention that when asking. Do not assume the download omits it deliberately or that a generic billing summary contains it.

For this own-copy request, do not place another patient's details in the scope note. If a helper is involved, ask the office how permission or representative authority is handled; do not share your portal password.

## What format and cost questions matter?

Format and delivery are different. A PDF is a file format; a portal download or postal delivery is a way to receive it. Ask about both.

Under [45 CFR 164.524](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.524), the covered entity generally must provide the requested form and format if readily producible. Where an electronic copy of electronically held information is requested but that format is not readily producible, an agreed readable electronic alternative applies.

Confirm a file type you can open and read. This guide does not promise a particular portal or format.

HHS says a covered provider may charge reasonable copying and mailing costs, but not a search or retrieval fee. Ask for the anticipated charge and its basis before choosing among offered options. Do not assume all records requests are free or that an outstanding treatment bill removes your access right.

Use an agreed private delivery method. Keep received health information in a location you control, and avoid uploading it to an unapproved converter or public document-sharing service.

## How long can the request take?

[HHS's timing FAQ](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2050/how-timely-must-a-covered-entity-be/index.html) says a covered entity must act on an individual's access request within 30 calendar days after receipt. If it cannot, it may have up to 30 additional calendar days, provided it gives a written reason and completion date within the initial period. The regulation permits only one such extension.

These are outer limits for this access framework, not a recommended wait or a guarantee that every requested item will be supplied. The federal Get It guide notes that applicable state or other laws may require a shorter period. This article does not calculate your legal deadline.

Keep the submitted request and any acknowledgment, extension or response. If the expected response is missing, contact the records office using that history. A formal denial and a technical download problem are different issues; ask which applies rather than guessing.

Tell the care team promptly if information is needed for an upcoming clinical decision. Do not wait for the administrative process to finish before reporting changed symptoms or asking about unclear current instructions.

## How do you check what arrived?

Open the documents using a suitable trusted reader. First confirm the patient identity and requested episode. If you receive someone else's information, stop reviewing it, keep it private and notify the sending office through its verified route.

Then compare the delivery with your request:

- Are the requested treatment dates represented?
- Are the document types identifiable?
- Do pages appear readable and complete?
- Are attachments mentioned but absent?
- Does the office explain any exclusion or missing item?
- Which questions require records staff, and which require the clinician?

The federal [Check It guide](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/check-it/) recommends reviewing personal and health information for errors and contacting the provider about corrections. A receipt check is not an invitation to interpret clinical abbreviations as a diagnosis.

Keep a separate question list. Do not alter the original downloaded record to make it match your memory.

## What does a useful receipt record look like?

This is a fictional example, not an actual patient's record or a finding about a provider. The patient requested notes for three visit dates and an existing home-program handout.

| Requested item | What the fictional delivery contains | Follow-up question |
|---|---|---|
| January 6 visit | A readable note dated January 6 | No receipt question recorded |
| January 13 visit | A readable note dated January 13 | No receipt question recorded |
| January 20 visit | No identifiable note for that date | Does the office hold a separate note or include it elsewhere? |
| Existing home-program handout | A handout with a January 6 date | Which clinician-confirmed instructions are current? |

Two identifiable visit notes do not settle the third requested date. They also do not prove that three separate notes must exist. The appropriate next step is clarification from the record holder.

The handout creates a different question. Receiving it proves only that this version was supplied. Its suitability now belongs with the treating clinician, not with the person counting files.

An original follow-up could read: “I received the January 6 and January 13 notes. I cannot identify the January 20 material. Please clarify whether it is included elsewhere or remains outstanding.” Send that through the office's approved channel, keeping actual patient identifiers out of a public worksheet.

## What if something appears wrong or outdated?

Contact the provider about its correction process. Identify the document, date and specific concern; preserve a copy of your request. Ask for an explanation when you cannot tell whether a term is an error or clinical shorthand.

Requesting a correction does not guarantee agreement. HHS explains that a patient can submit a statement of disagreement if the provider rejects an amendment request. Use the provider's privacy process or qualified advice for a dispute; do not rewrite the official record yourself.

An accurate historical note can differ from today's plan without being erroneous. [APTA's patient preparation guidance](https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/prepare) emphasizes following the prescribed exercises and asking the therapist about unclear instructions. Do not restart, combine or progress exercises simply because an older document is available.

Our [Progress Communication collection](/progress-communication/) helps organize questions without assigning causes. If the follow-up is virtual, use the separate [physical therapy video-appointment preparation guide](/prepare-physical-therapy-video-appointment/).

## When should care take priority over paperwork?

A records inbox is not an emergency service. The [American Heart Association](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack) advises calling 911 for heart-attack warning signs even when uncertain; symptoms can begin mildly or come and go.

For chest pressure or other emergency warning signs, stop and call 911 in the United States, or the local emergency number elsewhere. Do not wait for a file, portal reply or routine appointment. For nonemergency changes or unclear exercise instructions, use the treating clinician's contact and stop rules.

The completed administrative task is a clearly scoped request, a checked delivery and a list of unresolved questions. It is not a self-created rehabilitation plan.

## Sources

- [HHS: your medical records](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/medical-records/index.html).
- [HHS: information covered by access rights](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2042/what-personal-health-information-do-individuals/index.html).
- [ONC: how to get your health record](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/get-it/).
- [45 CFR 164.524: individual access](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.524).
- [HHS: timing of access responses](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2050/how-timely-must-a-covered-entity-be/index.html).
- [ONC: how to check your record](https://healthit.gov/get-it-check-it-use-it/check-it/).
- [APTA: preparing for physical therapy](https://www.choosept.com/why-physical-therapy/prepare).
- [American Heart Association: emergency warning signs](https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack).

Sources checked September 8, 2026. The request organizer and receipt example are original educational tools, not completed forms or clinical assessments.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does my patient portal contain all my physical therapy records?**

Not necessarily. A portal may display only part of the provider's record. Ask the verified records office about specific dates and existing document types, including any separately held handout. This is US administrative guidance, not medical advice; the treating clinician must clarify which instructions are current.

**How long does a covered provider have to respond?**

For an adult's own HIPAA access request, the covered entity generally must act within 30 calendar days after receipt. One extension of up to 30 additional calendar days requires a written reason and completion date within the initial period. Shorter applicable laws may govern. These are outer limits, not instructions to delay care.

**Can I restart exercises from a handout in my records?**

Do not restart, combine or progress exercises merely because you received an old handout. Follow the treating clinician's current prescription and stop rules, and ask about unclear instructions. This is administrative education, not a rehabilitation plan. For chest pressure or other emergency warning signs, stop and call 911 rather than waiting for a records reply.

**Does a missing visit note mean the provider made an error?**

A missing identifiable document does not establish why it is absent or whether a separate note exists. Compare the delivery with your request, then ask the records office whether the material is included elsewhere, outstanding or excluded. Keep clinical interpretation and current-care questions for the treating clinician.

**Can someone help me request my own copy?**

Ask the verified records office how it handles assistance, permission and representative authority; another person's authority should not be assumed. Do not share your portal password or put health information in a public worksheet. This adult US own-copy guide does not determine representation rights or replace qualified legal guidance.


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