Unlocking Client Openness: Embracing New Ideas in Physiotherapy

Incorporating effective communication techniques can significantly enhance the impact that health care clinicians have on their clients. One such technique, suggested by Phil M Jones in his book "Exactly What to Say," involves the power of framing a conversation to foster openness and acceptance.

The quote from Jones presents an intriguing approach: "When introducing a new idea, start with, 'How open-minded are you?' This will naturally attract people toward the very thing that you’d like them to support. Everybody wants to be open-minded.”

Embracing Open-Mindedness in Clinical Settings

In a clinical context, this approach can be particularly useful when suggesting new treatments or interventions that a client may initially find unappealing or may be resistant to.

For example, if a physiotherapist wants to introduce a new type of exercise that a patient perceives as challenging or unpleasant, they might start the conversation with, "I've been thinking about your progress and how we can enhance it. How open-minded are you about trying a new approach that might be more effective?"

Clinical Examples and Applications

• Painful Procedures: When a necessary procedure is known to be uncomfortable, a clinician might say, "I know this technique can be a bit uncomfortable, but it has shown great results in improving mobility. How open-minded are you to trying it for a couple of sessions to see how it works for you?”
• Lifestyle Changes: If a patient needs to make lifestyle changes, such as incorporating a daily stretching routine to manage chronic pain, the conversation could begin with, "Lifestyle changes can be challenging, but they're crucial for managing your condition. How open-minded are you to integrating some new habits into your daily routine?”
• Alternative Therapies: When suggesting an alternative therapy like acupuncture or mindfulness meditation, a clinician could introduce the idea by saying, "There's some evidence that suggests these methods can complement your current treatment. How open-minded are you about exploring these options?”

Exercises to Improve Communication Skills

To refine the skill of discussing sensitive or potentially unpalatable topics, clinicians can engage in the following exercises:

• Role-Playing: Practice scenarios with colleagues where one plays the clinician and the other a resistant client. This exercise allows for the exploration of different phrasing and techniques, including Jones' method, to gauge what feels most natural and effective.
• Scripting and Rehearsing: Write out potential conversations with clients, including how to introduce new ideas using the open-mindedness approach. Rehearse these scripts to become comfortable with the transition into these discussions.
• Reflective Listening: Develop the skill of reflective listening where clinicians repeat back what the client has said to confirm understanding. This demonstrates empathy and can help in finding the right moment to introduce new ideas.
• Feedback Gathering: After implementing the open-mindedness technique or others from Jones' book, ask clients for feedback on how the conversation felt to them. This can provide valuable insights into how well the approach works and what can be improved.

Remember, the key to effective communication is not only in the words used but also in the delivery.

Tone, body language, and genuine empathy are crucial components in ensuring that the message is received well. By incorporating these skills and techniques into their practice, clinicians can navigate challenging conversations with confidence and care.

Contact me to find out when I’m coming to your state for communication skills workshops: [email protected]