Clinical Communication

How should we explain spinal-related nerve pain to patients? What should we say to those who want scans, but it’s not indicated? How should we explain imaging results to patients? For answers to these and a lot more, check out this conversation with Adam Dobson, Spinal Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. (00:00:00) – Introduction (00:00:43) – Would Adam Ever Become “The Space Physio”? (00:02:45) – How To Explain Spinal Related Nerve Pain (00:10:33) – What To Say If They Ask “Have I Got A Trapped Nerve?” (00:15:12) – What If They Ask “Will This Get Better?” (00:18:40) – What To Say When It’s Not Their Nerves, It’s Their Blood Supply (00:24:50) – Screening vs Work-Up Imaging (00:32:50) – What To Say When Imaging Findings Come Back “Normal” (00:43:00) – How To Explain Relevant Imaging Findings (0047:42) – What Does Nerve “Abutment” Mean? (00:49:30) – What To Say When Someone Wants A Scan, But It's Not Indicated (01:01:50) – How To Discuss Prostate Issues During A Back Pain Appointment (01:11:35) – Difficult Conversations Around Pain (01:18:18) – Success Stories From Adam’s “Back To Health” Programme   You can find Adam on social media @AdamDobson123 His website is: https://www.theradicularclinician.com/ You can find Ben on social media @BWhybrowPhysio

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare but very serious condition that can keep many clinicians awake at night. In this episode Ben speaks with Rob Tyer all about speaking with patients about Cauda Equina Syndrome (and other important topics) as shown below. Timeline: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:14 – Was It Hard For Rob To Transition From Taekwondo to Jiu Jitsu? 00:03:32 – How Does Rob Feel Taekwondo Has Changed Over The Years? 00:08:53 – What Made Rob So Interested In Cauda Equina Syndrome? 00:12:52 – Where Is The Right Environment For Further Tests If You Suspect Cauda Equina Syndrome? 00:17:32 – When Should You Ask The Cauda Equina Syndrome Screening Questions During A History Taking? 00:20:35 – How Should We Set-Up The Cauda Equina Screening Questions? 00:23:34 – Is There Any Advantage To Asking The Questions On A Screening Tool Prior To The Appointment? 00:24:55 – Is There A Way To Make Asking The Questions Feel Less Awkward? 00:28:25 – How To Ask About Bladder & Bowel Control Symptoms 00:32:25 – How To Ask About The Sensation Changes 00:35:08 – How To Ask About Altered Sexual Function 00:41:47  - How To Ask About Altered Gait/Balance/Drop Foot 00:45:11 – Do The Questions Need To Be Asked In An Order? 00:49:50 – How Should We “Safety-Net” Someone About Cauda Equina Syndrome? 01:03:22 – What Should You Say To Someone If You Feel They Should Go To A&E Due To Potential Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms? 01:12:23 – Rob’s Hardest Conversations 01:23:58 – What Did Rob Wish He Knew About Writing A Book Before He (And Tom) Wrote One? 01:29:23 – Rob’s Question For Ben   Link for Rob & Tom Jessons book, “Cauda Equina Syndrome: The MSK Clinicians Guide” – https://shop.tomjesson.com/products/cauda-equina-syndrome-the-msk-clinicians-guide You can find Rob on social media - @CombatSportPhys   You can find Ben on social media - @BWhybrowPhysio Do subscribe and get in contact if you have suggestions what would make this better.

Want to have greater influence over the people you come across in life and interact with? “The Influential Mind” by Tali Sharot was released in 2017 and is still one of the top regarded books for this topic. This episode of “Clinical Communication” takes some important lessons from the book and how you can apply them to the person in front of you, to potentially have greater influence.   For more; follow @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. If you’re really keen do drop me a message and send me any questions you have.

Motivation can be a powerful tool for Behaviour Change. But there is different types, extrinsic and intrinsic. What do these terms mean? And how can we enhance them to lead to greater long term behaviour change with the people in front of us? Find out in this episode of Clinical Communication. For more follow @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. Reference: Rethorn, Z. D., Bezner, J. R. & Pettitt, C. D. (2021). From expert to coach: health coaching to support behavior change within physical therapist practice. Physiotherapy Journal & Practice.

The discussion revolves around enhancing patient communication. It emphasizes the importance of using simplified language and assessing patient knowledge. Strategies to ensure patients understand and remember information are highlighted. The focus is on creating effective healthcare conversations that truly resonate with patients.

In this episode Ben speaks with Dr Brad Neal who is a Physiotherapist, Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Essex with a special interest in Patellofemoral Pain. In This Episode We Discuss: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:00) – Brad’s Views On Current Cricket (00:02:55) – Could Brad Ever Have Been A Cricket Physio? (00:03:41) – Brad’s Experience Of Working In Elite Sport (00:06:00) – Why Did Brad Choose Patellofemoral Pain To Work In? (00:09:45) – How To Help Patients Understand The Multi-Factoral Nature of PFP (00:11:10) – What To Say To The Patient When They’ve Been Told They Need To Strengthen Their VMO (00:15:00) – Why We Should Tell Patients With Patellofemoral Pain What Isn’t Going On (00:16:50) – Does The Patellofemoral Joint Cartilage Tear? (00:17:10) – How To Reassure Someone With Patellofemoral Pain (00:19:10) – How To Discuss Chromalaecia Patellae X-ray Findings (00:20:40) – Are Normal Age Related Patellofemoral Joint Changes Found In Those Who Are Asymptomatic? (00:22:00) – Should We Still Use Term “Patella Maltracking” Or Is Their A Better Way? (00:24:00) – Are There Any Surgical Options For Patellofemoral Pain? (00:25:55) – Does This Help Us With Buy-In To Rehab? (00:27:45) – What To Say When They Ask “Will It Get Better?” (00:29:10) – What’s Next For PFP Research (00:33:20) – What Lessons From Academic Teaching Can We Use With The Patient In Front Of Us (00:35:00) – Is There A Way To Assess Patient Understanding Of What We’ve Explained? (00:37:45) – How Should Information About Conditions On Websites Be Laid Out? (00:40:20) – Is Teaching Training Part Of Healthcare Training Or Should It Be? (00:46:20) – Brads Hardest Conversations (01:01:30) – Why People Should Watch & Play Baseball (01:04:20) – Is Baseball The American Version Of Cricket? (01:08:45) – Where To Find Brad Online   You can find Brad here: X/Twitter: @DrBradNeal Instragram: @teampfp www.teampfp.com   You can follow Ben on @BWhybrowPhysio on your social media platform of choice.  

“Messengers” is a book by Stephen Martin & Joseph Marks released in 2019. It is for anyone who wants to increase the likelihood that the messages they are giving are taken in and acted upon. In Episode 14 of Clinical Communication we go through some of the lessons from it that can help you better manage the individual or group of patients in front of you. (00:00) – Intro (00:35) – You’re Not Only Judged On The Words You Say (01:21) – Building Connections (01:58) – Perceived Expertise (04:29) – Warmth & Connectedness (07:19) – Vulnerability (09:06) – Outro If you have suggestions for what would make this resource better, topics to cover or guests to suggest; Do contact @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube, leave a review & subscribe.

Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Inflammatory Arthritis are conditions that many clinicians across many different specialities will see. Being able to have helpful and productive conversations with patients with these conditions is essential for being able to provide great care for them. Jack March is a Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist & Director of Operations for PhysioMatters. You can find him online by searching for “Rheumatology Physio” in whatever social media you use. His website is here: https://rheumatology.physio/ In This Episode Ben & Jack Discuss: (00:00:00) – Introduction (00:00:59) – Music You Might Hear In A Rheumatology Department (00:01:59) – Jack’s Top Disturbed Song (00:03:47) – The Metal & Physio Podcast That Didn’t Happen (00:04:30) – Jack’s New “Low Bone Density” Course (00:05:15) – How To Explain Osteoporosis To The Patient In Front Of You (00:09:45) – Is The “Swiss Cheese” Analogy Still Useful? (00:13:23) – Should We Still Say “Brittle Bones”? (00:15:55) – What To Say When They Ask “Anything I Should Avoid?” (00:17:40) – What To Say When They Ask “Is It Curable?” (00:20:25) – How To Explain Osteoarthritis To The Patient In Front Of You (00:24:39) – How To Shift Patient Perspectives On Osteoarthritis Away From Wear & Tear (00:40:00) – What To Say If They Ask “Do I Need An X-Ray?” (00:41:55) – What Would Trigger You To Consider Asking Additional Inflammatory Screening Questions? (00:49:05) - When Should We Ask The Inflammatory Screening Questions During A History Taking? (00:54:00) – What Should We Say To Patients When Referring Them To Rheumatology? (00:59:00) – How To Explain Inflammatory Arthritis To The Patient In Front Of You (01:04:00) – Jack’s Hardest Clinical Conversations (01:17:00) – The FA Cup Semi-Final Incident (01:21:25) – Jack’s Courses & CPD Resources (01:22:50) – Jack’s Final Thoughts   You can find Ben on social media: @BWhybrowPhysio

Every clinician has the potential to do the perfect assessment and come up with the ideal treatment plan for the patients needs and aspirations. However, all of that is useless if they are unable to commit to it and carry out whatever has been discussed. This episode is all about simple and practical tips you can use with any patient you see to increase their commitment to the shared plan once they get home, so that they are more likely to carry it out, and more likely to think it will help. If you have suggestions for what would make this resource better, topics to cover or guests to suggest; Do contact @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok and Youtube, leave a review & subscribe.

Discover how metaphors can transform patient communication! Learn about the 'Computer Default Setting' to clarify recovery processes. Explore the 'Mobile Phone Analogy' to relate health maintenance to daily tech use. Dive into the fun 'Cocktail Analogy' that illustrates how various lifestyle factors mix together to influence health. These creative tools aim to enhance understanding in clinical settings, making complex ideas more accessible to patients in any specialty.