Abstract
Background and purpose of the study
Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is key to a successful consultation and is reported to affect both adherence to treatment and outcome. Despite this evidence, research on how best to open consultations is limited and the optimal way, unknown.
This study seeks the opinions of physiotherapists on how to open a clinical encounter in an adult musculoskeletal outpatient setting – a topic which has relevance to all clinicians aiming to build rapport with their patients.
Methods
Forty clinical encounters between physiotherapists in a primary care setting and patients with back pain were observed and audio-recorded. The clinicians' key questions inviting the patient to discuss their back pain were identified, together with a content analysis of the topics discussed prior to the conversation about their back pain. In 2012, a national survey was undertaken, approaching 34,922 physiotherapists from 3 networks on the interactive website hosted by the professional body, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy asking participants to rank the data from clinical practice, to determine the preferred way to open a clinical encounter.
Results
Form the 40 recorded consultations eleven opening questions were identified. In these encounters fourteen other topics were discussed before the key opening question about back pain. In the national survey, the top 5 openings were identified.
Conclusion
Knowing how clinicians and patients communicate, and specifically, how clinical encounters are opened, is important for teaching and professional development to assist clinicians in optimising their non-specific treatment effects.
No Conflict of interest
No funding obtained
This abstract has not been previously published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
