I’m sure you would be familiar with this scenario. A 52-year-old with knee osteoarthritis nods along as you explain their exercise programme. They seem engaged, ask good questions, and leave with what appears to be a solid understanding of...
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Here’s what decades of psychological research tells us about human behaviour: the moment someone feels their autonomy is threatened, their brain activates the same neural pathways associated with physical pain. It’s called psychological reactance, and it explains why that...
Picture this: Sarah, a 52-year-old office manager with osteoarthritis, sits across from you nodding enthusiastically. You’ve just set the perfect SMART goal together—walk 30 minutes daily for 8 weeks to improve joint mobility. It’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and...
Here’s a revelation that might change how you approach your next consultation: what your patients believe about their pain matters as much as what they feel. In fact, according to groundbreaking research by J.P. Caneiro, Samantha Bunzli, and Peter...
Picture this: You’ve just finished explaining a perfectly sound treatment plan. Your client nods politely, thanks you, and leaves. Two weeks later, they return having done nothing. Sound familiar? Or perhaps you’ve faced the client who outright challenges your...
In my previous piece on patient adherence, we explored Michael Pantalon’s six-question framework for helping patients persuade themselves to change. Today, I want to dive deeper into four specific questions from William Miller and Stephen Rollnick’s motivational interviewing work...
Picture this: Sarah, a 28-year-old with cystic fibrosis, sits across from you looking frustrated. Despite your detailed explanations about the importance of her airway clearance routine, she’s been skipping sessions. Again. Or consider David, recovering from knee surgery, who...
Introduction The tone of communication holds a paramount importance. The initial interaction between a clinician and a client can significantly influence the therapeutic relationship. The tone of voice, often a subtle yet potent tool, can lay the groundwork for...
In the words of Charles Duhigg, author of “The Power of Habit,” willpower operates much like a muscle: it can be fortified through practice yet is susceptible to fatigue. This dual nature of willpower—being both a learnable skill and...
