Related Experiment Videos
Communication during goal-setting in physiotherapy treatment sessions
1Parry School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. ruth.parry@nottingham.ac.uk
Clinical Rehabilitation
|October 12, 2004
Summary
Therapists often lead physiotherapy goal-setting, limiting patient involvement. Detailed analysis reveals communication challenges and strategies therapists use to navigate patient input, highlighting the skill needed for effective goal collaboration in stroke rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Communication Studies
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Effective goal-setting in physiotherapy is crucial for patient recovery and engagement.
- Previous research suggests patient involvement in goal-setting is often limited.
- Understanding communication dynamics is key to improving rehabilitation practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze therapist-patient communication during physiotherapy goal-setting in stroke rehabilitation.
- To identify explanations for observed communication practices and challenges.
- To enhance understanding of communication complexities in setting rehabilitation goals.
Main Methods:
- Conversation analytic study of video-recorded physiotherapy sessions.
- Data collected from 74 sessions in four UK hospital physiotherapy departments.
- Involved 21 stroke patients and 10 senior physiotherapists.
Main Results:
- Therapists predominantly proposed goals, with limited patient input in most cases.
- One case detailed patient-initiated goal proposal, revealing interactional difficulties.
- Therapists employed strategies like questioning and negotiation to manage patient involvement.
Conclusions:
- Infrequent goal-setting and low patient involvement may stem from communication challenges.
- Incorporating patient views into goal-setting requires significant skill and effort.
- Detailed analysis of communication practices can inform professional development and improve patient care.