Question

What is the most important area to educate physical therapy clients about?

Answer 1

Ans) As physical therapists, we all realize that patient education is potentially the most crucial part of the treatment process and our commitment to education is what sets us apart from other health professionals.

- Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.

- Education develops credibility: Effectively educating your patients supports your position as an expert, not only in the field of physical therapy in general, but in the specific area that is of greatest concern to your client. Education reveals you as the best resource and treatment option for your client’s problem.

- Education develops trust: Patient education sends the message that you completely understand your client’s condition and what it takes to make them feel better. Educational material from a trusted health professional is valued more than similar information obtained from a magazine, book or internet. Education will have your clients quoting you to their friends and family.

- Education increases understanding: Patients who are educated will have a greater understanding of their condition and treatment, and will be better equipped to take an active part in the treatment process. Education will improve your patient’s treatment outcomes.

- Education improves compliancy: When a client is discharged from your care they will be greatly influenced by the educational material they receive from you. If the material impresses them by being informative and professional in appearance, they will be left with a positive reaction to your overall treatment process. Satisfied customers are not only the ones who will return to you in the future but are also the ones who will spread the word about how great you are!

- Spending the time to research quality education information and budgeting for these resources will reward you many times over both in terms of saving you treatment time and in raising level of client satisfaction.