I have had an awesome week at work, it is such a pleasure to
go to work each day to be greeted by these two beautiful smiles:
However, I have been a bit perplexed about how my Haitian
patients have been receiving my treatments.
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I have fleeting moments of immense job satisfaction when I
feel like the best physio in the world EVER!!
Another patient delighted and excited about the outcome
of their treatment. My ego swells (albeit momentarily!) and I love
my work more than anything in the world!
But I get to thinking about the outcome of applying the same
treatment technique to a patient with the same pain or disability at home. The
positive outcomes here are so much more positive! It doesn't quite equate.
Somewhat a paradox.
I interrogate my translator Andrew, assuming that I am being
told what I want to hear in order not to disrespect or disappoint me. I can see
the objective improvements, and Andrew assures me that all subjective reports
of improvement are genuine!
Maybe Andrew is also too nice to tell me otherwise?!!
Why is it that basic physiotherapy management works better
here?
It got me to thinking about assumptions and expectations of
intervention.
Perhaps if you expect less, or don't know what to expect,
you get a more positive outcome.
Perhaps the awareness and belief in physiotherapy is yet
underdeveloped so that the "magic wand" phenomenon doesn't yet
exist.
Perhaps people are so unaccustomed to professional help that
any little difference creates a much more pronounced physical and psychological
benefit.
Has anybody got any thoughts on this?
As Jo Ann Roberts (one of the founders of the Global Therapy
Group) informed me when I raised this perplexing matter: "they
listen to us, do what we ask and actually get better". What a delightful
way to work!
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