Communicating with Physicians, Peers, Children, the Elderly, and Families

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of communication with physicians?

Answer 1

To enhance patient care

Question 2

How can HCPs enhance patient care?

Answer 2

• Clarifying orders
• Change plan of care/treatment plan
• Report concerns in patient progress
• Establishment of new goals
• Physician requests weekly/monthly updates

Question 3

What is the secondary purpose of communication?

Answer 3

Enhance physical therapy as a profession

Question 4

How can PTs enhance physical therapy as a profession?

Answer 4

• Educate physician about the field of physical therapy
• Educate physician about advancements in field of PT
• Demonstrate your knowledge/expertise and professionalism

Question 5

What are the two forms of communicating with physicians?

Answer 5

• Formal

- Informal

Question 6

5 forms of formal communication

Answer 6

• Phone calls / Messages with nurse
• Faxed notes (outpatient)
• Notes in the medical chart (inpatient)
• Catching the doctor on rounds
• Scheduling interactions (shadowing)

Question 7

3 forms of informal communication

Answer 7

• lunch
• hallways
• social gatherings

Question 8

What is the best method of communication with physicians?

Answer 8

IT DEPENDS on the physician/circumstance

Question 9

How often do physicians feel it is necessary to communicate?

Answer 9

• When pt condition changed
• At specific stages
• If not doing well

Question 10

How often does Medicare require communication with physicians?

Answer 10

Every 10th visit OR every 30 calendar days

Question 11

What are two other factors to consider when determining how often to communicate with physicians?

Answer 11

• Before the patient returns to the doctor

- Per protocol

Question 12

How often should you contact a physician?

Answer 12

IT DEPENDS

Question 13

3 Tips for communicating with Physicians

Answer 13

1) Short & Sweet, be organized beforehand
2) Use assertiveness without aggressiveness
3) Be considerate of MD

Question 14

Of the 98% of physicians that refer PT what percentage felt they possessed enough information to do so

Answer 14

54%

Question 15

What percent of MDs received no information on PT in med school?

Answer 15

70%

Question 16

Who makes up Interdisciplinary Teams?

Answer 16

PT
OT
Speech
Doctor
Nurse
Social Worker
Dietician

Question 17

Why is it important to have effective teamwork and communication?

Answer 17

Patient Care

Question 18

Do you think health care professionals communicate well with each other?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

6 Problems threating communication

Answer 19

1) Role Conflict
2) Role Overload
3) Lack of Interprofessional / Interdisciplinary Understanding
4) There’s no extra time
5) Territorial disputes
6) Dominance/Power Issues

Question 20

Describe Role Conflict

Answer 20

Someone is trained with one role within a setting, but expected to fulfill duties not within normal domain

Question 21

Describe Role Overload

Answer 21

HCP has too much work to do in too short a period of time

Question 22

Two examples of Lack of Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Understanding

Answer 22

• There is little education about other health professionals occurs during professional education
• MDs are briefly on the floor, very minimal interaction with nursing and often no interaction with PT

Question 23

How do territorial disputes occur?

Answer 23

The expansion of professional roles means multiple disciplines are trained to do the same task which causes conflict

Question 24

7 Types of Smalls Groups in the Medical Setting

Answer 24

• Rehab Team
• Quality Assurance
• Departments
• Spine Team
• Education Committee
• Finance Committee
• Marketing Committee

Question 25

What are 3 signs of excessive conflict among small groups?

Answer 25

1) Conflict getting personal
2) Conflict causes splintering of group
3) Main issue becomes lost

Question 26

What is the key to conflict resolution?

Answer 26

Problem Solving

Question 27

5 Barriers to Communication with Children

Answer 27

1) Egocentrism (me-only point of view)
2) Rigidity of Thought (Mom is always right)
3) Semilogical reasoning (my dog died because I was a bad boy)
4) Very literal (I’m going to take your vital signs)
5) Concerned about peer opinions

Question 28

What are the 3 Barriers to Communication with Patient Families?

Answer 28

• Emotions run high
• Multiple sources of input
• Opinions differ from the pt

Question 29

5 Barriers to Communication with Elderly Patients

Answer 29

1) Reluctant to ask questions
2) Don’t fully report subjective complaints
3) Doesn’t feel responsible for his/her own health
4) Thinks HCP is too young/inexperienced
5) Hearing loss, vision loss, etc.

Question 30

Ways to Counteract Barriers to Communication with Elderly Patients

Answer 30

• Give extra time to report symptoms
• Observe non-verbal cues
• Ask questions
• Give choices
• Use sensitivity and understanding
• Encourage patients to express fears
• Encourage patients to ask questions

Question 31

How many Americans does Alzheimer’s affect?

Answer 31

4 million

Question 32

What percent of Alzheimer’s patients are between the ages of 65-75?

Answer 32

3%

Question 33

What percent of Alzheimer’s patients are between the ages of 75-84?

Answer 33

18%

Question 34

Alzheimer’s is the ____ most common cause of death in US

Answer 34

4th

Question 35

1 out of ___ families will see one parent affected

Answer 35

3