Rebooking Flashcards
Leverage
Spend the time finding out how their problem is impacting their daily function
• Ask “What can’t you do because of this problem?”
• Create a short list of a couple of simple tasks that cause pain as well as more
challenging ones with VAS ratings- when the simple ones improve but the more challenging ones still cause pain, the patient tends to get caught up on the how the challenging tasks are still an issue - it helps to remind them that the simple ones that are now better, once caused them pain too!
After a few sessions and they’re feeling a bit better or they’ve reached the end of their EPC plan- they may be thinking of stopping treatment…
• Remind them of where they were before seeking help (often they forget how “bad” it was!) And
what is still left to gain. This is also helpful if they feel their not improving or progress is slow - remind them of their pain ratings on certain activities or increases in ROM on the initial assessment
• The “Symptom Threshold” model - their condition has gradually developed until it crossed the “Symptom threshold” which triggered them to seek help - our goal is to get their underlying issues well and truely below the symptom threshold ie. resolving residual joint signs and strength deficits —-> stopping treatment too soon can lead to an early return of their symptoms.
• “Don’t stop swimming before you reach the end of the pool!”
• “These EPC sessions have given us a chance to see how you will respond to Physio, we
want to use this momentum to get you as good as we can”
Severity
Explain what may happen if they leave this issue untreated
• “A stitch in time saves nine” analogy
• Residual deficits may progress until affects function or cause early wear and tear (particularly when treating the neck or knee OA/post TKR/balance
• Residual pain may cause muscle weakness/muscle tightness through secondary hyperalgesia
or protective response
•
Leadership
Project confidence and authority when delivering the plan of their course of treatment
• You’re the expert - you know what they need so take charge and communicate this
confidently
• Explain what treatment will involve in acute phase and subacute phase
• Explain WHY the recommended frequency of treatment is needed -
• “In order to gain on what we have achieved this session we want to continue with another session in appx 2 days (max 3 days if in acute phase) otherwise due to inflammation in the area, the joint stiffness and pain will gradually return and it’s two step fwds, two steps back”
• Or “this type of treatment needs to be done again within 2-3 days to gain on what we’ve achieved here today”
• Their treatment is important to YOU so go out of your way to walk them to the reception desk, be part off the appointment booking process and tell the receptionist you “NEED” to see them on X day
• Let them know when you’re going out of your way to see them, trying to fit them in when you’re busy or staying later/coming in earlier to see them - this demonstrates to them how committed YOU are to getting them better and the recommended treatment plan.
