Physical Therapy

How do you help patients stay motivated and engaged during their rehabilitation process?

Tailoring Treatment with Personal Goals and Education for Effective Rehabilitation

My name is Emily. I'm a physical therapist. I'm going to answer this from a slightly different position because I do work with a lot of chronic pain, chronic illness, and our clinic particularly serves a large portion of our homeless community. So how do I keep them motivated and engaged, especially when they've had pain for many years? I take the time to get to know my patient and really tailor their treatment plan toward their personal goals and things that they find valuable. I also spend a large amount of time in between exercises explaining why they need to do their exercises in terms that I know they'll understand. I'm not going to use textbook terms because I do realize that not everybody goes to school for physical therapy or athletic training. They're not going to understand the anatomical terms or scientific terms. So creating an environment where I'm educating them on this activity is going to help you for this reason and for them in particular. Like for a specific activity that they want to get back to doing or that they want to have less pain while they're doing. And then I just spend extra time each session, especially at the beginning and the end, explaining to them why it's important that they continue their plan of care even after they discharge from physical therapy. You know, sometimes I'm really straightforward and say if you're not willing to work in physical therapy, physical therapy might not work for you because that is the physical aspect of it. You are required to do a certain amount, a certain amount of movement with your body for it to help you.

I take the time to get to know my patient and their goals, and explain why they need to do exercises in terms they can understand. I then create a positive environment where I'm educating them on why it's important to continue with their plan of care, even after they discharge from physical therapy.

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As a physical therapist, my approach to helping patients stay motivated and engaged during their rehabilitation process is slightly different. I often work with individuals dealing with chronic pain, chronic illness, and even those from the homeless community. Here's how I approach it:

Firstly, I take the time to truly understand my patients and their personal goals. I tailor their treatment plan to align with what they find valuable and important.

I also make an effort to explain the reasons behind each exercise or activity in a way that is easily understandable to them. I avoid using complex anatomical or scientific terms that may not resonate with everyone. Instead, I focus on educating them about how a specific activity will benefit them, especially in relation to something they want to get back to or reducing pain during certain activities.

Additionally, I dedicate extra time during each session, particularly at the beginning and end, to emphasize the importance of continuing their plan of care even after they complete their physical therapy. I'm honest with them, explaining that their active participation is crucial for the success of their therapy. I may even say that if they're not willing to put in the effort, physical therapy may not be effective for them, as it requires a certain level of commitment and movement from their side.

By personalizing the treatment plan, providing clear explanations, and emphasizing the importance of their active involvement, I strive to keep my patients motivated and engaged throughout their rehabilitation journey.

What strategies do you use to create an inviting atmosphere for your patients when they come in for an appointment?

Emily, a physical therapist, shares her strategies for creating an inviting atmosphere for patients.

My name is Emily. I'm a physical therapist. The strategies that I use to create an environment that feels inviting for my patients as well as their family members is first and foremost, I introduce myself. I ask them if they've ever had physical therapy. Even if I know that they've had physical therapy in the past, then I'll mention, yeah, I've seen that you've had physical therapy in the past. I'll tell them what to expect during the evaluation as well as treatment. And then right away I give them the opportunity to ask any questions that they may have. And I word that in a very specific way. I say, what questions do you have? Assuming that they have questions, because then they won't feel like I maybe shouldn't ask questions. And then I'm just very an active, a very active listener. And even though we have to do point of service documentation at the clinic that I'm at, meaning that I am typing as they talk, I explain to them, I'll be asking you some questions and then I'll be typing what you tell me as you're telling me that. And then I'll continue the conversation while I'm typing. It's a skill that I've just learned to do during my time. Something else that I love to do is educate as we go. So if there's a good opportunity to provide education while I'm doing any testing, just so that they know exactly why we're doing the testing, because I think the why is very important. If a patient does not understand why you're testing something or why you're treating them a certain way, they're probably not going to be an active participant in their treatment.

I introduce myself, ask if they have had Physical Therapy before, explain what to expect during the evaluation and treatment, give them the opportunity to ask questions, actively listen while typing during the conversation, and provide education while testing.

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As a physical therapist, I employ several strategies to create an inviting atmosphere for my patients and their family members. Firstly, I introduce myself and inquire about their prior experience with physical therapy, even if I already have that information. This helps establish a connection and sets the stage for open communication.

I make sure to explain what they can expect during the evaluation and treatment process. I also encourage them to ask any questions they may have, using a specific phrasing like What questions do you have? to ensure they feel comfortable seeking clarification.

Active listening is a crucial aspect of creating an inviting environment. Despite the need for point-of-service documentation, I inform patients that I will be typing as they speak, and I continue the conversation to maintain engagement.

I also take opportunities to educate patients during the evaluation and treatment. Providing explanations for the tests and interventions helps them understand the purpose behind each step. I believe that understanding the why is essential for patients to actively participate in their own treatment.

By implementing these strategies, I aim to foster a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for my patients, where they feel heard, informed, and empowered in their journey towards recovery.

Do you have any strategies for working with difficult or challenging patients?

Strategies for Working with Challenging Patients: A Therapist's Perspective

My name is Emily. I work in a clinic where we see a lot of more difficult or challenging patients in that they have multiple comorbidities. Oftentimes they have multiple mental health diagnoses and a lot of times they come from a lower socioeconomic status. So they don't have good family support. They don't have good social support. They often don't have great financial resources. I do work with populations that are homeless. So in that sense, challenging is a hard word, but they're challenging on multiple realms. And sometimes I work with patients that just simply have challenging personalities. Regardless of the situation, the best thing to do is treat them as a human being, meet them where they're at, and focus on what their goals are. Why are they coming to see you? What are their goals? What would they like to get out of therapy? What are they struggling with? What would they like to see improvements on? You really want to focus the sessions on them. You may have goals that you want to improve the range of motion and strength in certain areas, but you want it to always be focused on their goal first. So that they see value in coming to see you, that they see that you're trying to help them through this problem. Also, you are going to explain your goals to them. Why are they important? How are your goals and your treatments going to help them get to where they want to be? How are those activities going to make them more functional? What is the value in doing the exercise that you prescribe? What is the value in having you perform your modalities or manual therapy techniques? How is that going to make them better? Again, if you can really focus it on them and be an active listener, because sometimes your sessions are going to be more psychological than physical, and those are okay to have.

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When working with difficult or challenging patients, it is crucial to approach them with empathy and treat them as human beings. In my clinic, I often encounter patients with multiple comorbidities, mental health diagnoses, and limited resources and support systems. Some patients may also have challenging personalities. Regardless of the situation, the key is to meet them where they are and focus on their goals. Understanding why they are seeking therapy and what they hope to achieve is essential.

During sessions, it is important to prioritize their goals over your own. While you may have specific treatment objectives, ensuring that the sessions are centered around their aspirations helps them see the value in the therapeutic process. Explaining your goals to them and highlighting how these interventions will contribute to their well-being and functionality can foster understanding and cooperation.

Active listening plays a vital role as well, as some sessions may involve more psychological support than physical therapy. By being attentive and providing a supportive space, you can address their needs effectively. It is important to remember that every patient is unique and requires an individualized approach that considers their circumstances and challenges.

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Emily Hill, DPT answers your Physical Therapy questions. See all the advice Emily Hill, DPT has and get answers to your own Physical Therapy questions.

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Physical therapist specializing in sports medicine, women's health, orthopedics, Parkinson disease/Parkinsonism and multiple sclerosis.