06/30/2026
So true! Patients really do better when their PT involves them in understanding their condition and how their personalized treatment will help. See this interesting article:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/191UvdvxnS/?mibextid=wwXIfr
๐ฃ๐ฎ: ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ง: ๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ช๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐ฅ๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐๐ก๐ง๐ฆ
๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐-๐ฝ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐จ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ-๐พ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐จ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ
๐ Patients donโt just want treatment, they want to understand.
As healthcare professionals, we often focus on selecting the most appropriate intervention, prescribing the right exercises, and designing the optimal treatment plan. These decisions are undoubtedly fundamental to high-quality clinical care.
However, a recent systematic review reminds us that patients value something just as important: understanding what is happening to them.
In their systematic review published in Musculoskeletal Care, Pichonnaz C. et al. (2024) examined patientsโ expectations before and after physiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders. Their findings highlight several important clinical messages.
First, patientโtherapist agreement on rehabilitation goals is central to meeting patientsโ expectations, particularly in chronic low back pain (CLBP) rehabilitation. Patients have a broad range of expectationsโnot only regarding treatment outcomes, but also concerning the physiotherapistโs professional skills, the therapeutic relationship, and the way care is delivered.
The review also found that the treatments expected by patients were largely compatible with current scientific recommendations. However, because patients rarely express their expectations spontaneously during treatment sessions, physiotherapists should actively explore these expectations and revisit them throughout the rehabilitation process.
Importantly, following rehabilitation, many patients shifted their expectations from relying primarily on the physiotherapist to taking greater responsibility for self-management of their CLBP, although some still expressed uncertainty about their ability to do so.
Another key finding from this review is that physiotherapists substantially underestimate how much patients value clear explanations and active involvement in their care. Rather than expecting only rapid symptom relief, many patients want to understand their condition, the clinical reasoning behind treatment decisions, and how they can actively contribute to their own recovery.
These findings carry important clinical implications.
Patient education is not simply about providing information. Meaningful explanations can reduce uncertainty, increase confidence, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, and encourage patients to become active participants in rehabilitation. When patients understand why a treatment is recommendedโnot just what they are expected to doโthey are more likely to adhere to the treatment plan and remain engaged throughout the rehabilitation process.
This does not mean that education replaces physical examination, hands-on assessment, or exercise therapy. Rather, it complements them. Evidence-based physiotherapy integrates thorough clinical assessment, appropriate interventions, and effective communication to deliver truly patient-centred care.
Every consultation therefore offers an opportunity to reflect:
๐ Have I clearly explained the patientโs condition?
๐ Does the patient understand the purpose of todayโs treatment?
๐ Have I encouraged questions and shared decision-making?
๐ Does the patient leave the clinic feeling more confident than when they arrived?
Ultimately, our role extends beyond reducing symptoms.
Patients do not simply want to feel better. They want to understand, participate, and feel supported throughout their rehabilitation journey.
Perhaps one of the most valuable interventions we provide is not only the treatment itself, but also the conversations that help patients make sense of their condition.
Disclaimer:
๐ Sharing a study is NOT an endorsement.
๐ You should read the original research yourself and be critical.
