How to Communicate as a Physical Therapist

[@neight_9]

As a future PTA, this is a great video! Appreciate it and I’m wondering if you have a podcast?

[@squirtlevscharmander1617]

You are THE MOST effective emotive explainer. Swear, no lie. Super engaging

[@drjustinleedpt]

Wow.. I’m literally feeling this comment. Thank you so much for this super nice feedback. It’s comments like these that encourage me so much!

[@aaronrodriguez1483]

I really agree! I was going to comment this until i seem you already did. Hes super insightful and explains things so well. I can only imagine how he is as a Physical Therapist. I agree with everything you said Justin. I feel like I'm a good communicator and can connect well with people pretty easily from my life experiences but you explained all of this so well and i like your FORD accronym

[@drjustinleedpt]

@@aaronrodriguez1483 broooooo you’re making me cry from this heart felt comment! Shhheeeesh! Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for your feedback as far as what was valuable to you. This is super insightful for me and I really appreciate you taking your time to comment !!

[@angelosalugao4359]

I just passed my NPTE this April 2023, 3 years since I passed my Philippine PT exam I have not practiced since, Thank you for all your videos!

[@drjustinleedpt]

So happy to hear it! Congrats!

[@BrysynIlaban]

A PT that builds relationships with their patients, such a simple yet vital skill to succeed in your own practice and the outcome of the patient as well. Love the content!

[@drjustinleedpt]

Pure absolutely right!!! I appreciate it my man!!! It’s one of the best skills you can develop right now

[@thomasmarcel1022]

Wow this is really helpful! I’m in my last clinical and just took my boards. I’m still struggling with excellent communication. I’m really going to make an effort to apply and live by these simple rules. You are awesome!!!

[@drjustinleedpt]

Amazing reflection Thomas! Im glad you are able to recognize where you need work on and are willing to improve those areas. That takes a special kind of humility and skill. How did you boards go?

[@thomasmarcel1022]

@@drjustinleedpt luckily I passed boards. I used the ford method on my last 2 weeks of my clinicals and it really helped patients open up. I moved to sunnyvale CA and am in the process of transferring my license. I will improve in the mean time. Thanks so much for your advice!

[@drjustinleedpt]

@@thomasmarcel1022 YEEEEAAAAAAYUUUHHH!! I’m so happy to hear that you used this method and it helped you. Sounds like you’re keeping this FORD skill in your back pocket. Proud of you passing boards and welcome to CA!! Do you have a job lined up?

[@iemwill9429]

i love all your videos! keep it up! :) what i like about you as a Physio is that you're not only methodical you're humorous! LOL :P

[@drjustinleedpt]

I appreciate this comment. Thank you so much! I got to keep it fun 🤪

[@iemwill9429]

can you make a video on what you should do if ever you're in a situation where you've made a mistake in the physio world and then make a self correction afterwards?

[@drjustinleedpt]

I definitely can do that!! This is not a problem at all 🙂

[@BuyBBStonk]

How do you create those meaningful experiences with clients who don't care about sharing anything about themselves except that they just want to better? Have you had sessions that are entirely silent and they just keep coming back?

[@drjustinleedpt]

There are DEFINITELY cases where patients just stay silent. You can’t force anyone to talk and share about their life. Some people are more reserved in the beginning because you guys did not build trust. But it’s is not uncommon for patients to come in, just focus on exercise and getting treatment and leave with minimal taking. And that is OKAY ! 🙂I’ve had tons of those patients and had great success

[@BuyBBStonk]

@@drjustinleedpt Self reflecting, I've been too presumptuous with clients trust from the initial assessment. Although we can generally have likeable personalities, credible profession and good word of mouth, we still have no idea how each new client feels about us, our advice and treatment strategies. When I've been unaware that they still don't fully trust me, then any personal topics I brought up have backfired either during the session or once they've left. First sessions, I'll solely focus conversation toward their rehab, and will reciprocate the FORD method if they show trust toward the end of the session or with any follow up sessions.

[@drjustinleedpt]

​@@BuyBBStonk Great reflections! I think its not so black and white either, like "first session = clinical things only, then second session = emotion" etc. I think it really acts on how the integration goes in the first session. And I also think that personality compatibility also is a huge factor. Like sometimes I go to doctors for the first time and feel way more open to share my life, vs other doctors Im cold. Im just curious, when you say "any personal topics I brought up have backfired either during the session or once they've left," what do you mean by that?

[@BuyBBStonk]

@@drjustinleedpt Yes these are great observations. Some conservations become too deep or personal. Ex. My excitement with JWST discovering life was interpreted as young and idealistic by a client who was more sensitive to being older and realistic. Other times it could be a personal story that is to empathetically relate to the client, but they really don't care. I've learned to give them the soapbox for most of the session and withholding my own opinions with better success.

[@CL-ly9lg]

What do I do if I’m super introverted and bad at small talk? I’m currently a tech and I feel bad that I just stand there sometimes in silence bc idk what to say 🥲

[@drjustinleedpt]

I used the acronym FORD to help you think of topics to initiate conversation. If you feel like it’s awkward when it’s silent, I want to let you know that it is totally OK to have moment of no conversation. At least the patient is exercising, which is why they are there in the first place right?

[@grace2excell]

its ok

[@eggbygoogle1416]

you threw pta under the bus LOL. its all good though. I'm a introverted/shy pta but very interested in patients' lives. just cause corporate treats pts like numbers doesn't mean we have to

[@tobiassneed2974]

Can you be my CI lol 😂

[@storm-9494]

I have a question bro, did u have to take many math classes for kinesiology major. If so, what classes? Thanks

[@drjustinleedpt]

It’s usually just college algebra!