Research project: Exploring communication and clinical decision-making in consultations between physiotherapists and people with back pain
Previous research has suggested that the patient−therapist relationship is more important to success than treatment techniques. This research builds upon this work and investigates how clinical decisions are made by physiotherapists and patients with back pain, in a series of studies addressing the question: 'What communication and clinical decision−making takes place in consultations between physiotherapists and people with back pain?'In the first study patients with back pain are visited at home to find out what they expect from attending the out−patient department at Southampton. Their initial consultation is then observed and staff are interviewed about what they think they said to patients, and patients are asked about what they think they heard.In the second study, a series of physiotherapy assessment and treatment sessions are observed, recording conversations, body language and how decisions were made about patients’ care. The final study is a pilot randomized controlled trial, evaluating whether some educational workshops for physiotherapists can improved patients’ involvement in decision-making and the outcome of physiotherapy care.