Student-patient communication during physiotherapy treatment

Abstract

Some communication skills adopted by 30 Australian and 27 Hong Kong final year physiotherapy students were observed by their clinical supervisor, while delivering treatment to an acute post-surgical patient in their country of origin. In each case, patient and student were racially similar and verbal communication was in their first language. The results showed that Australian students used more explanation, eye contact, verbal reinforcement, facial expression, variation of tone and response with interest, compared with Hong Kong students. Female students from both cultures used more verbal skills, such as information finding and response with interest, compared with male students; Australian female students responded with interest more frequently with female patients. When treating male patients, Hong Kong male students applied more non-therapeutic touch but less response with interest, compared with Australian male students. This study suggests that, regardless of the cultural setting, more physiotherapy student teaching resources should be channelled towards development of communication skills during undergraduate training, with particular emphasis given to verbal communication skills for male students.

Voices unheard, insights into the lives of people with disabilities: A needs assessment study

“…Research by Jones and colleagues in Australia supports this, suggesting that physiotherapy student training, irrespective of cultural context, should focus more on developing communication skills during their undergraduate education. [ 26 ] Communication skills are vital for patient satisfaction and the success of the therapeutic process. Therefore, it is advisable to implement strategies aimed at improving the communication skills of both students and practicing therapists in clinical environments.…”

Analysis of the Verbal Behaviour of the Physiotherapist in the First Clinical Session

“…When an undergraduate of physiotherapy is learning, they usually receive extensive training on diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, clinical reasoning, and how to extract information through a clinical interview. However, the communication skills are complicated to teach and train, and there is the need for focus (Jones et al, 1998;MacDonald-Wicks, Levett-Jones, 2012). Furthermore, not all universities in which physiotherapy is taught include training in communication skills (Parry, Brown, 2009).…”