Regardless of if a patient comes to you due to disability caused by low back pain or following injury due to an accident, it is your responsibility as a travel PT to ensure that he or she experiences a successful outcome. While there are a number of things that you can do make sure that those you treat achieve full recovery, communication is often at the root of it all.
Frequently asked questions
The rehabilitation process can be frustrating and sometimes intimidating for patients. Keeping the lines of communication open is ideal, but not everyone you work with will be eager to ask what’s on their mind. So, try to answer some of the most frequently asked PT questions that come up without them needing to inquire. Harper Physical Therapy lists the following patient FAQs:
- Should I wear or bring anything specific to my sessions?
- What can I expect of a standard appointment – in terms of both time and activities?
- Are there daily/weekly/monthly expectations for my progress?
- Do I need to complete any exercises on my own between sessions? If so, what are they and how often should I be doing them?
- Should I take on an fitness program following the completion of my rehabilitation? Where are such options offered?
Although these are very basic questions, they may be looming in the minds of those you treat on travel physical therapy jobs. However, don’t assume that there isn’t more your patients need to know. Thoroughly explaining exercises, which muscles they are strengthening and what the patient can expect in terms of progress are all issues you should be going over during each PT session.
Keys to successful outcomes
Throughout the rehabilitation process, you will want to focus on five key factors so that your patients get the most out of their physical therapy sessions:
- Education
- Mobility
- Stability
- Symmetry
- Homework
Teaching patients while working travel therapy jobs will revolve around different information depending on what has brought the individual to PT. For instance, you may want to reference “Therapeutic Neuroscience Education: Teaching Patients About Pain, A guide for Clinicians,” by Dr. Adriaan Louw, if you are treating someone who suffers from chronic pain. According to evidence published in this book, the better a patient understands his or her pain, the less fear he or she is likely to experience.