Lets remember that therapy is as much if not more about the person than it is about the condition. We are treating people, not conditions after all. Evidenced informed practice is great and is something I am quite passionate about. But at the end of the day, the patient scared/angry/frustrated/sad/anxious standing in front of us cares little about a CPR or RCT. I think that at the end of the day, the patient wants and needs to know that we care enough about them to try. To go the extra mile to make a change in their life. How can we do this? Here is a small list: 1) Give the patient undivided attention...no cell phones near by, no chit chatting with the secretary during treatment etc. Make the patient feel that for the time you are with them, they are your main priority 2) EXPLAIN what you are doing and what you find to the patient. Use pictures, diagrams etc to convey your findings in a non-threatening and optimistic way. Never scare your patient..,.You have the spine of an 80 year old etc...that is just so wrong 3) Patients know when you are milking them. If you cant help the patient (as despite what the internet gurus say, we cant cure everyone) tell them! Be honest and say you dont know what is going on. But make sure you have tried everything! Make the appropriate referral. The patient maybe frustrated but they will remember you as caring and not about the money. That is how we should be remembered. 4) Here is an easy one that really works: REMEMBER what your patient tells you. Did their son have a birthday? Did they go on a vacation? Ask about these things, show you are interested in their life outside of their pain. This last point, although not related to what we do with our hands, has a huge impact on how we are perceived. Plus, its fun to chat with engaged patients...this is one way to do it Random thought over :)
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 23:58:37 +0000
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