At an outpatient clinic i saw an older gentleman who had suffered a stroke. He had recovered really well, his major impairment was reduced with fine motor control in his right hand. I had big plans for his rehab, high level balance exercises, improving the fine control of his hand and UL etc. but he discharged himself from physiotherapy before he had started the exercises. I had to realise that the functional level that he leaves the clinic with will always be what he thinks he needs and not what i think he needs. I was thinking i could get him walking regularly and getting out of the house to play golf etc. but this was not realistic as he was content with where he was at functionally.
This was a good lesson for me to learn. I need to remember in the future that its not ok to impose your own expectations on a patients rehab, always focus on what the patient wants. However i still believe it is important for PT's to suggest lifestyle modifications where necessary, just not make them strive for something they feel they dont need.
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Yeah, i agree. We do need to get into their shoes, and help them from where they're at. For that, i think it is important that we ask for their goals, and what they want to obtain from their physio sessions. This will then help us to be realistic and specific with our treatment objectives.
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