{"id":468,"date":"2024-02-01T03:06:56","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T03:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/2024\/02\/01\/why-kindness-matters-for-elevating-patient-outcomes-in-rehabilitation-practices\/"},"modified":"2024-02-01T03:06:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T03:06:56","slug":"why-kindness-matters-for-elevating-patient-outcomes-in-rehabilitation-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/2024\/02\/01\/why-kindness-matters-for-elevating-patient-outcomes-in-rehabilitation-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Why kindness matters for elevating patient outcomes in rehabilitation practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Perhaps an innate quality, or perhaps a learned quality (or both). Regardless, it can be a powerful enabler for your clinical outcomes. Kindness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As clinicians, we appreciate the science behind what we do. Let\u2019s address this straight away, before getting into the emotive component of kindness. The four neurotransmitters that really become activated by kindness are serotonin, dopamine, endorphins and oxytocin. We are all familiar with the benefits behind the activation of these neurotransmitters through exercise, for example, but have you thought about how you can activate them in your patients during your clinical interaction?<\/span><\/p>\n

The bond that you create when you first greet and talk to your patient can release the same neurotransmitters. Do not underestimate the power of a warm and genuine smile during your first interaction. During her recent Physiopedia Plus (Plus) webinar on return to exercise guidelines following a caesarean section<\/a>, Women\u2019s Health Physiotherapist Fiona Healy<\/a> suggested that \u201ckindness can compliment the natural power of healing\u201d. She reminds us that injecting some humanity into your treatment approaches can be a strong motivator for your patients while actually increasing their adherence to your treatment and home care plans \u2013\u00a0kindness is central to healing<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

With an increasingly unforgiving caseload for many, do we have time to be kind?\u00a0<\/span>Rather, the question needs to be, how can we make time to be kind?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, taking the time to be kind by engaging our patients more fully in their own care, can reduce our workload and increase our resilience\u201d \u2013 Nigel Mathers, 2016<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Demonstrating kindness towards patients in a clinic involves both verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as actions that reflect empathy and genuine care. Have a read through these ideas for clearly demonstrating kindness in a clinical setting, how many do you use in your clinicial practice?<\/span><\/p>\n

Active listening:\u00a0Pay close attention to what patients are saying to you. Read their body language, notice the tone of their voice. Give them ample time to express their concerns and validate their feelings. Actively listening shows that you care about their perspective and are committed to understanding their needs. Do not check the clock or your phone, or play with your pen. Give them your undivided attention.
\nUse empathetic communication:\u00a0Choose words and phrases that convey empathy and understanding. It is perfectly fine to take a beat (pause) \u2013 let silence occur between questions and answers. Take the time to be thoughtful. Acknowledge the challenges and emotions patients may be experiencing, and express your commitment to supporting them through their healthcare journey.
\nMaintain a positive demeanour:\u00a0Leave your own worries and problems at the clinic door. Be positive and be present. Approach patients with a warm and friendly attitude. Smile, make eye contact, and use a gentle tone of voice. A positive demeanour can help alleviate anxiety and create a more comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
\nRespect patient dignity and privacy:\u00a0Allow kindness to grow in a respectful environment. Always respect the privacy and dignity of your patients. Ensure they feel comfortable and secure during examinations or discussions about sensitive topics. Book a private room, and ensure you are not interrupted during your time with them. Use appropriate draping, ask for permission before touching and maintain confidentiality.
\nEducate with compassion: We all know when someone is being sincere or not. When providing information about diagnoses, treatments, or procedures, communicate in a clear and understandable manner. Be patient, answer questions, and offer educational materials to empower patients to make informed decisions about their health.<\/span>
\nAddress concerns promptly: Do not let concerns or worries fester. Be proactive with your responses, even if they are uncomfortable. Respond promptly to patient concerns or questions. Whether addressing a specific symptom or clarifying their treatment plan, timely responses show that you prioritise their well-being.<\/span>
\nPersonalise care:\u00a0Take the time to get to know the person before you. If you were the patient, how would you like to be treated? Treat each patient as an individual with unique needs. Personalising care involves considering their preferences, cultural background, and values. Take the time to ask for their feedback. This approach demonstrates respect for diversity and helps build a stronger patient-provider relationship.
\nFollow up with patients:\u00a0After visits, procedures or treatments, follow up with patients to inquire about their well-being. It can be a simple email or phone call. This demonstrates ongoing care and concern beyond the immediate consultation or treatment.
\nInvolve family and caregivers:\u00a0Recognise the role of family and caregivers in a patient\u2019s support system. Involve them in discussions when appropriate, and ensure they are informed about the patient\u2019s care plan. Friends and families can be your greatest enablers and champions, helping patients stay motivated and focused on their recovery.
\nCreate a comfortable environment:\u00a0Pay attention to the physical environment of the clinic. What will the patients see, smell, feel, hear and experience? Ensure it is clean, organised, and welcoming. Comfortable surroundings contribute to a positive patient experience.
\nOffer small acts of kindness:\u00a0Small gestures, such as offering a warm blanket, providing a cup of water, or helping with mobility, can go a long way in demonstrating kindness and creating a positive impression. Make each interaction with a person meaningful and helpful.<\/p>\n

Kindness needs to be intentional. Demonstrating kindness is an ongoing process, and it involves consistently considering patients\u2019 emotional and physical well-being. By incorporating these practices into your interactions, you can contribute to a more compassionate and patient-centred healthcare environment while supporting the healing process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKindness is what makes us human, builds resilience, and makes us better [clinicians] and better people\u201d \u2013 Nigel Mathers 2016<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What has been your act of kindness today?<\/p>\n

For some more ideas to inspire kindness in your clinical interactions, why not watch Fiona\u2019s webinar<\/a> and check out some Plus courses on the topic?\u00a0We recommend The Person Behind the Patient<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Empathy in Communication, <\/a>the full Professional Communication Programme<\/a>\u00a0and Leadership \u2013 Emotional Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0as a great place to start \u2013 add them\u00a0to your Plus To Do list<\/a>\u00a0to give your 2024 learning goals a kindness boost. And don\u2019t forget to check out the rest of our 2024 webinar programme<\/a>; dates\u00a0are being added all the time for clinically relevant webinars throughout 2024.<\/p>\n

\n

Physiopedia Plus is a subscription site that offers internationally accredited continuing education and professional development opportunities for the global rehabilitation community in 6 languages.<\/p>\n

Your subscription fees fund the Physiopedia charity<\/a> <\/strong>website to keep it updated and openly accessible to all.<\/p>\n

Your subscription also provides FREE access to Plus for rehabilitation professionals in low income countries<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are also discounts available<\/a><\/strong> depending on where you live and for students.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Perhaps an innate quality, or perhaps a learned quality (or both). Regardless, it can be a powerful enabler for your clinical outcomes. Kindness. As clinicians, we appreciate the science behind what we do. Let\u2019s address this straight away, before getting…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_ti_tpc_template_sync":false,"_ti_tpc_template_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-physio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/468\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glennruscoe.physio\/newswebsite2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}