1. I first decided to research the effects a surgeon has on a patient's time in physical therapy because I thought the overall learning experience of getting the therapist's perspective would be beneficial to my career as an Orthopedic Surgeon. When I began my internship we had many rotator cuff, ACL, and meniscus tear patients, so the curiosity of the surgeon-patient relationship began once I started to see the healing process. Working and seeing what happens after surgery with the patient also will help my career as a surgeon because I now have an understanding of how the surgeon can alter what the patient does and how the act during recovery.
2. I had understanding that patient attitude has a major influence on their treatment, and that the relationship the surgeon has with the patient can alter their motivation in therapy. Before I began research I assumed that the foundation of a successful recovery depends on the trust a patient has both in the therapist and the surgeon. I could assume that the more positive attitude and atmosphere also has an impact on the patient's time in physical therapy, but overall the talent and experience of the surgeon.
3. For my research I spent most of my time looking at case studies for many different injuries to try and make a connection between patient attitude, patient- surgeon relationships, and therapist-patient relationships to see if they had a correlation to the success of patient recovery. Each injury has an average recovery time, so my research was based on if any factors made by the surgeon would increase or decrease the time spent in recovery. I also conducted an interview with my mentor Jill Mathis to get a physical therapist's perspective on my research.
4. Throughout my internship I have learned that there is a correlation between the relationships set by the surgeon and the patient's treatment and time in physical therapy. Before my internship I was under the impression a surgery for a specific injury was done the same no matter where the patient was treated, and that each recovery was the same. I've learned that a therapist must individualize the treatment according to the patient, and that each surgeon uses different techniques to fix an injury. I have also had the chance to compare and contrast how different people heal with the same injury, which also helped answer my essential question.
Interview:
1.Do you feel a patient’s attitude toward rehab affects their recovery experience?
“The patient’s attitude can have a huge impact on their recovery. Patients who are compliant and motivated often have better outcomes than those who aren’t. I also try to keep patient’s positive about their circumstance so they don’t waste energy on emotional baggage.”
2. Do you feel a patient’s relationship with a surgeon affects their attitude in physical therapy?
“The patient’s attitude is probably affected by the surgeon’s attitude toward PT, especially if this is the patient’s first experience in PT. If a surgeon stresses the importance of PT then the patient is more likely to be compliant.”
3.How do you decide a patient’s treatments/procedures in physical therapy?
“A patient’s treatments are guided by our assessments and clinical observations. Treatments must also be tailored to a patient’s motivation, treatment tolerance, and cognitive abilities. It’s an ever changing and adapting process.”
4.Do you think a close relationship with patient and physical therapist is important?
“I believe that a close relationship between patient and clinician can enhance the physical therapy process. If a patient trusts their therapist’s judgement and skills then they may give a better effort in PT. Also, if the patient has a pleasant experience during PT they may be motivated to work harder.”
5.Do poor surgical skills change or alter a patient’s time in physical therapy?
“Poor surgical skills most definitely change a patient’s therapy time and their outcomes in PT. Ultimately, poor surgical skills can have a devastating and lifelong effect on a patient’s quality of life.”
6.Do you think the relationship between physical therapist and surgeon is important?
” Having a working relationship with a surgeon makes the rehab process more seamless and may lead to better continuity of care. It isn’t necessary to personally know a physician but it can enhance communication and patient care, especially if problems or complications arise.”
7.How does a patient’s initial evaluation help determine treatment?
"The patient’s initial evaluation gives the clinician the background and basic objective measurements to allow the therapist to make skilled assessments and draw clinical conclusions in order to direct a patient’s plan of care. A thorough and skilled evaluation is essential to a successful treatment program.”
8.Once therapy begins is communication with the surgeon necessary?
” Communication between therapist and surgeon is helpful but not always necessary. If issues or problems were to arise then it becomes essential for therapist and surgeon to communicate. At the start of care, the therapist will have written instructions for the patient’s diagnosis and surgery. Further information isn’t always necessary, but it is good to send written reports to the surgeon upon follow up visits so he can be informed about the therapy progress.”
9.Do athletes and regular patients go through similar treatments?
” Athletes and regular patients have the same fundamental goals in therapy. Beyond that , athletes may receive more sport specific training and agility type treatments in order to prepare for a high level of functioning. These extra therapeutic interventions may take time as well.”
10. Do you think surgeons can improve patient’s experience by improving methods used in surgery?
” Improved surgical interventions can definitely improve patient’s PT outcomes. Thankfully, new and improved surgical techniques are always developing and improving and PT’s need to stay up to date on these improvements.”
2. I had understanding that patient attitude has a major influence on their treatment, and that the relationship the surgeon has with the patient can alter their motivation in therapy. Before I began research I assumed that the foundation of a successful recovery depends on the trust a patient has both in the therapist and the surgeon. I could assume that the more positive attitude and atmosphere also has an impact on the patient's time in physical therapy, but overall the talent and experience of the surgeon.
3. For my research I spent most of my time looking at case studies for many different injuries to try and make a connection between patient attitude, patient- surgeon relationships, and therapist-patient relationships to see if they had a correlation to the success of patient recovery. Each injury has an average recovery time, so my research was based on if any factors made by the surgeon would increase or decrease the time spent in recovery. I also conducted an interview with my mentor Jill Mathis to get a physical therapist's perspective on my research.
4. Throughout my internship I have learned that there is a correlation between the relationships set by the surgeon and the patient's treatment and time in physical therapy. Before my internship I was under the impression a surgery for a specific injury was done the same no matter where the patient was treated, and that each recovery was the same. I've learned that a therapist must individualize the treatment according to the patient, and that each surgeon uses different techniques to fix an injury. I have also had the chance to compare and contrast how different people heal with the same injury, which also helped answer my essential question.
Interview:
1.Do you feel a patient’s attitude toward rehab affects their recovery experience?
“The patient’s attitude can have a huge impact on their recovery. Patients who are compliant and motivated often have better outcomes than those who aren’t. I also try to keep patient’s positive about their circumstance so they don’t waste energy on emotional baggage.”
2. Do you feel a patient’s relationship with a surgeon affects their attitude in physical therapy?
“The patient’s attitude is probably affected by the surgeon’s attitude toward PT, especially if this is the patient’s first experience in PT. If a surgeon stresses the importance of PT then the patient is more likely to be compliant.”
3.How do you decide a patient’s treatments/procedures in physical therapy?
“A patient’s treatments are guided by our assessments and clinical observations. Treatments must also be tailored to a patient’s motivation, treatment tolerance, and cognitive abilities. It’s an ever changing and adapting process.”
4.Do you think a close relationship with patient and physical therapist is important?
“I believe that a close relationship between patient and clinician can enhance the physical therapy process. If a patient trusts their therapist’s judgement and skills then they may give a better effort in PT. Also, if the patient has a pleasant experience during PT they may be motivated to work harder.”
5.Do poor surgical skills change or alter a patient’s time in physical therapy?
“Poor surgical skills most definitely change a patient’s therapy time and their outcomes in PT. Ultimately, poor surgical skills can have a devastating and lifelong effect on a patient’s quality of life.”
6.Do you think the relationship between physical therapist and surgeon is important?
” Having a working relationship with a surgeon makes the rehab process more seamless and may lead to better continuity of care. It isn’t necessary to personally know a physician but it can enhance communication and patient care, especially if problems or complications arise.”
7.How does a patient’s initial evaluation help determine treatment?
"The patient’s initial evaluation gives the clinician the background and basic objective measurements to allow the therapist to make skilled assessments and draw clinical conclusions in order to direct a patient’s plan of care. A thorough and skilled evaluation is essential to a successful treatment program.”
8.Once therapy begins is communication with the surgeon necessary?
” Communication between therapist and surgeon is helpful but not always necessary. If issues or problems were to arise then it becomes essential for therapist and surgeon to communicate. At the start of care, the therapist will have written instructions for the patient’s diagnosis and surgery. Further information isn’t always necessary, but it is good to send written reports to the surgeon upon follow up visits so he can be informed about the therapy progress.”
9.Do athletes and regular patients go through similar treatments?
” Athletes and regular patients have the same fundamental goals in therapy. Beyond that , athletes may receive more sport specific training and agility type treatments in order to prepare for a high level of functioning. These extra therapeutic interventions may take time as well.”
10. Do you think surgeons can improve patient’s experience by improving methods used in surgery?
” Improved surgical interventions can definitely improve patient’s PT outcomes. Thankfully, new and improved surgical techniques are always developing and improving and PT’s need to stay up to date on these improvements.”