The more we know about our patients, the better PTs we can expect to be, right? So how can we teach our patients to be better communicators? Wait, we can’t control that, but we can learn to be better listeners using a couple of simple techniques.

Enjoy!

Cheryl Hall OT,
Author and Illustrator, Physical Therapy Toolkit

Practice Mindfulness
During your time with your patient, carve out time when all you are doing is listening. Borrowing from yoga, center yourself, take a couple of deliberate deep breathes and focus your attention on the information that you are about to receive. Don’t judge, don’t problem solve, don’t let your mind wander. Instead be perfectly present and mindful of what your patient is saying to you.

Stop Multi-tasking
Of course, we all think that we are marvelous, or at least should be marvelous, at multitasking. In fact, researchers have confirmed that mono tasking is actually more productive. So….no notes no chart, no tablet, no supplies, and no phone. Your patient is the only task that you are attending to in this moment. This singular focus supports the first tip – being mindful of your patient and why you are with them.

Control Body Language
Okay, you are mindful of being a good listener and you are singularly focused on that task; now, don’t let your body forget to follow. Just like the first two tips, make a deliberate effort to present open and welcoming body language.

• Make eye contact.
• Uncross arms and legs.
• Turn your body towards the patient and lean in.
• Relax your face and bring a smile behind your eyes.

Be Open Minded
You have read the chart, you know the patient’s diagnosis and you even have some interventions in mind; however, try to leave those assumptions at the door and be open minded when you listen to your patient. By deliberately adopting an open mind set you might learn something else that is important to your patient.

Ask Questions
Curiosity is a universal and wonderful quality among occupational therapists. So now ask some open ended questions, give your patient time to answer, and listen carefully. Be sure the questions are open ended so you don’t end up with a series of “yes” or “no” answers. Always wait until the patient has stopped talking to ask your next question.

Rephrase
Now that you have really listened to your patient, communicate your plan by incorporating the patient’s own words into your recommendations. For example: “Since, Mr. Smith, you want to be able to walk up your front steps when you go home next week, we are going to work on safely navigating steps with your walker.”

By deliberately incorporating these suggestions, better listening will become a great new habit and will help you be a more effective PT!