Effective communication is an essential part of great shoulder physiotherapy healthcare.
You should always feel confident and comfortable in making decisions about the management of your shoulder health.
However, achieving this is not always easy…
Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of your shoulder physio appointments.
Before your appointment:
Arrange a longer appointment if the problem you want to discuss is complex, or you need to discuss several issues.
Prepare a summary of your shoulder health issues, signs and symptoms. Prioritise the issues you want to discuss and make a list of questions you want answers to.
Let your healthcare provider know if you need an interpreter or other assistance with communicating.
NB: All initial comprehensive shoulder assessments are always at least 45mins to 1 hr in duration.
During your appointment:
You should expect to be listened to.
You should also be given clear and adequate explanations of your condition, any recommended tests, treatment options and the expected results.
When you describe your problems, be as accurate, complete and honest as possible.
If Luke recommends a test, treatment or procedure and you’re not completely clear of its purpose and benefits, then you should discuss this with him.
NB: Luke only uses shoulder physiotherapy tests, procedures and treatments considered to be evidence based and the ‘highest value’ shoulder healthcare.
Asking questions can be helpful though…
Tell Luke if you don’t understand anything, and ask him to repeat or clarify any information until you do understand.
If you don’t feel confident about handling any aspect of your appointment, please have a relative or friend attend with you.
Take notes if you think you may have trouble remembering important details…
If you want to know more, ask Luke for some written information, or suggestions of where you might find relevant shoulder healthcare resources.
After your appointment:
Arrange an additional follow-up appointment to ask further questions, check your exercise technique, discuss continuing issues or talk through your decisions after you’ve had time to consider the options.
If you want to discuss your specific shoulder issues with another healthcare provider, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion.
