Two articles published over the last two weeks suggest that we might be having some problems talking to our patients. The first, by Sullivan, Hebron and Vuoskoski (Sullivan, Hebron, & Vuoskoski, 2019) looks at the anxiety experienced by physiotherapists ‘selling’ their own explanations of chronic pain to patients. The therapists were trying to be patient-centred, but their efforts were undermined by ‘an underlying paternalistic wish to get patients “on board”’ (ibid). The authors attribute this anxiety to the confidence that the therapists feel in their biomedical understanding for pain, coming up against the patient’s values and beliefs that either contradict or destabilise their … [Read more...] about Having trouble talking to your patients?
If I can
There are many things I love about William Morris, the 19th century textile designer, poet, novelist, translator, and socialist activist (see profile here). I've always had a passion for the Arts and Crafts movement that he contributed so much to. I love the idea that things should be done once and done well. I love his socialism and belief in the struggles of people less well off than us. But it was his belief in the need to do the best one could, and to be satisfied with one's achievement - no matter how modest - that has always drawn me to him. Late last week, I posted a blog about how I didn't think that physiotherapy could claim to be patient-centred. Thank you to the people … [Read more...] about If I can