Drawing a "Perfect Circle": How Clinicians Can Become Better Communicators.

Area of Science:

• Physical Therapy Education
• Clinical Communication
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Physical therapy education often prioritizes biomedical knowledge and technical skills over communication.
• Effective communication is crucial for person-focused care but underdeveloped in current training.
• Complexity and uncertainty characterize most clinical interactions, necessitating strong communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the integration of mindfulness and reflection in physical therapy education.
• To provide practical suggestions for clinicians and educators to implement these contemplative practices.
• To enhance physical therapists' communication expertise and overall clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• This viewpoint discusses the theoretical underpinnings of mindfulness and reflection in clinical practice.
• It offers practical strategies for cultivating mindful awareness of self, patient, and context.
• Suggestions are provided for utilizing reflection to deliberate on appropriate communication during patient interactions.

Main Results:

• Mindfulness cultivates awareness and curiosity in clinical encounters.
• Reflection enables active deliberation for effective communication choices.
• Integrating these practices can significantly improve a physical therapist's communication skills.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness and reflection are essential contemplative practices for physical therapists.
• These skills support effective communication and navigating clinical complexity.
• Embracing mindfulness and reflection fosters better patient care and professional development.