Clinical Communication

Helping those with persistent pain can be a very challenging but also very rewarding venture. And rather than trying to fix or solve their problem, it requires a different approach of working with them to help them take ownership of the situation and feel in control. On this episode of Clinical Communication Ben is joined by fellow Physiotherapist & Pain Coach Mathilde Kehler, where they discu...

Various evidence exists showing the benefits of injuryprevention programmes for reducing the risk of injury to young athletes, yet uptake in them has not been 100%. So how can we increase the number of young athletes doingregular injury prevention programmes? And how can we influence coaches and organisations to ensure it is implemented? In this Ben is joined by Tom Jacbos, who is a Sports &Mu...

The concept of influence, persuasion or even manipulation (psychologically) in clinical practice can seem very uncomfortable to some. Yet it occurs in every interaction we have, whether we intentionally do it or not. And with the increasing evidence that contextual factors and therapeutic relationships play a large role in patient outcomes, being able to master these could be as important as the a...

During the recording of “Clinical Communication” episodes, before guests are asked the deep hard questions, they’re given some easier warm up questions to start with to help them feel comfortable. These are also recorded though not released at the time, until now. Some of this content from earlier episodes has been released on social media, but others from recent episodes have been held onto for t...

Many healthcare clinicians can probably identify a bunion or toe deformity, but asked anything more than this by patients and most would get stuck. So how do we explain what they are, why they’ve occurred and what the management options are in a way the patient can understand? How do foot surgeons have conversations around surgical options & expectations and explaining risks? In this episode B...

Group programmes can be a part of the management of many long-term conditions, combining various different activities which combined can have greater outcomes than individual components. Whilst suggestions may exist for what kind of content to cover in the specific group, the practicalities of how to run a group and ensure it is effective, have not been discussed in much depth, until now. In this...

Over the past year I've been asked to deliver some talks or webinars to various organisations and departments around clinical communication skills and difficult conversations. One of which I was given permission to record the audio for, and so am releasing now to you. There are interactive elements which you are welcome to play along with at home, work, in the car or wherever you listen. It covers...

Shoulder pain is a common reason for people to seek healthcare support. Whilst many will respond well to time and rehabilitation, certain situations and beliefs make it harder to treat and manage. This may be in relation to certain tissues being “torn”, the joint being “out of place” and “unstable” or having to break bad news when there is no easy solution. Jo Gibson is an Upper Limb Specialist Ph...

A cranial nerve examination can be part of a general neurological examination for some clinicians, but often not considered by others. Whilst resources and guides now exist online on how to perform a cranial nerve examination, less guidance is available on what to say to patients before, during and after performing one. Until now. Alan Taylor is a Specialist Physiotherapist in Vascular Flow Limita...

Trying to influence individual patient beliefs is tricky, but can be made even harder when someone else in their life is giving opposite information to you and having a greater influence. This episode talks through who else could influence a patients belief and how you could try to manage it. If you find this useful then do share & subscribe. For more follow @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, Ti...

One of the hardest conversations in clinical practice is when the person in front of you holds the opposite belief to you as to how their problem should be managed, and they are not open to changing their mind. Engrained beliefs don't change suddenly, but how these conversations play out can be made more productive and collaborative for everyone involved. This episode discusses how to achieve this...

Steroid injections have been available in healthcare for seventy years for various uses. But how should we discuss the risks and benefits of them for musculoskeletal pain with patients? How should we support someone who is really keen for one, but it’s not in their best interests? On this episode Ben is joined by Nick Livadas, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner & Lecturer at Teeside Universit...

The tone of voice we use to communicate is as important as the words we say, and yet much less attention is made towards it. Until Now. This episode covers essentials points on using different tones of voice with the patients we see, as well as giving some examples and when to use them. For more, subscribe and follow @BWhybrowPhysio on your social media of choice.

How should we explain spinal-related nerve pain to patients? What should we say to those who want scans, but it’s not indicated? How should we explain imaging results to patients? For answers to these and a lot more, check out this conversation with Adam Dobson, Spinal Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner. (00:00:00) – Introduction (00:00:43) – Would Adam Ever Become “The Space Physio”? (00:02:45)...

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a rare but very serious condition that can keep many clinicians awake at night. In this episode Ben speaks with Rob Tyer all about speaking with patients about Cauda Equina Syndrome (and other important topics) as shown below. Timeline: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:14 – Was It Hard For Rob To Transition From Taekwondo to Jiu Jitsu? 00:03:32 – How Does Rob Feel Taekwondo H...

Want to have greater influence over the people you come across in life and interact with? “The Influential Mind” by Tali Sharot was released in 2017 and is still one of the top regarded books for this topic. This episode of “Clinical Communication” takes some important lessons from the book and how you can apply them to the person in front of you, to potentially have greater influence.   For more;...

Motivation can be a powerful tool for Behaviour Change. But there is different types, extrinsic and intrinsic. What do these terms mean? And how can we enhance them to lead to greater long term behaviour change with the people in front of us? Find out in this episode of Clinical Communication. For more follow @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. Reference: Rethorn, Z. D., Bezner,...

A clinician will spend every working day explaining something to someone, but how much effort is put into ensuring the other person remembers what is said and interprets the information as intended? This episode of Clinical Communication covers what you can do and say to ensure the person in front of you remembers what you have said and is able to relate to it. If you have suggestions for what wou...

In this episode Ben speaks with Dr Brad Neal who is a Physiotherapist, Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Essex with a special interest in Patellofemoral Pain. In This Episode We Discuss: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:00) – Brad’s Views On Current Cricket (00:02:55) – Could Brad Ever Have Been A Cricket Physio? (00:03:41) – Brad’s Experience Of Working In Elite Sport (00:06:00) – Why Did Bra...

“Messengers” is a book by Stephen Martin & Joseph Marks released in 2019. It is for anyone who wants to increase the likelihood that the messages they are giving are taken in and acted upon. In Episode 14 of Clinical Communication we go through some of the lessons from it that can help you better manage the individual or group of patients in front of you. (00:00) – Intro (00:35) – You’re Not O...

Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Inflammatory Arthritis are conditions that many clinicians across many different specialities will see. Being able to have helpful and productive conversations with patients with these conditions is essential for being able to provide great care for them. Jack March is a Rheumatology Specialist Physiotherapist & Director of Operations for PhysioMatters. You c...

Every clinician has the potential to do the perfect assessment and come up with the ideal treatment plan for the patients needs and aspirations. However, all of that is useless if they are unable to commit to it and carry out whatever has been discussed. This episode is all about simple and practical tips you can use with any patient you see to increase their commitment to the shared plan once the...

Metaphors are an effective way to help patients easily understand complex ideas we talk about, be it diagnosis, treatment options or prognosis. In this episode I go through three metaphors I use regularly in clinical practice that most of the patients you see can relate to and will hopefully benefit from, regardless of the speciality you are in. They are; The Computer Default Setting (2:04) The Mo...

Silence, or using a pause, can be one of the most underappreciated communication skills in clinical practice. Using it effectively can allow you to; Gain more useful information from the patient in front of you, Get a clear idea of how they feel about information you have provided and how to move forward, Manage emotionally charged situations easier. If you have suggestions for what would make thi...

Mirroring or Matching are common terms used in communication skills training. But what do they mean, and What are the different types? This episode covers how Mirroring or Matching can be applied to: Body Language The Words We Use Tone of Voice & Presence How they can be utilised and what effect they may have. If you have suggestions for what would make this resource better, topics to cover or...