If you’ve ever had a difficult time as a travel PT getting results out of your patients, you may want to consider the use of positive reinforcement. In addition to other important qualities like adaptability and humility, saying the right thing can go a long way when you are working with a struggling patient.
Motivation goes a long way
From children to the elderly, you will notice a difference in your patients’ attitudes once you incorporate positive reinforcement into your treatment regime. Although, depending on their age, you may want to treat each individual differently. What works for a young boy may not be as effective with an older woman. Whoever it is your are working with on your travel physical therapy assignments, be sure to try these suggestions for motivation:
- Once you know what challenges your patient is facing, work with him or her to create goals to accomplish by the end of your assignment. Be sure to regularly update him or her on progress and keep those points of achievement in mind at all times.
- Don’t just focus on where a patient is lacking: If you notice she or he has great form during a certain exercise, point that out.
- Even the smallest improvements should be acknowledged. This will help to motivate your patient to continue working toward their end goals.
- Unless you can call out a former experience when another patient wasn’t progressing as nicely as your current, try not to compare past clients with those you are working with now.
- We all make mistakes, so don’t let your patient get down on him or herself if he or she failed to complete a routine appropriately. Instead, work with the patient on how he or she will find success next time.
- If working with children, you may want to avoid rewards for success in PT, as this will only add to their frustrations when they are having hard times or are unable to complete tasks.
Patients count on you
Having worked with a number of patients in travel PT jobs, you are well aware of the challenges and other difficulties people in recovery have to face on a regular basis. The last thing these individuals need is someone getting down on them for not doing well enough or continuing to struggle. Instead, it is your responsibility to provide your patients with all of the necessary tools for a fast, healthy and, most importantly, successful recovery.