Improving Communication Between Physical Therapists and Doctors to Enhance Patient Care

The Impact of Poor Communication on Patient Outcomes

Lack of communication between physical therapists and physicians can lead to fragmented care, patient dissatisfaction, and diminished patient role in the care process, according to the American Gastroenterological Association 1
The growing time pressure in healthcare settings has led providers to rely more on technology than face-to-face communication, making it challenging to fully understand and address patient needs, as reported by the American Gastroenterological Association 2

Use information checklists to refine communication between healthcare professionals involved in patient treatment, ensuring all essential information is accurately provided, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 3
Different disciplines involved in communication, including physical therapists, physicians, sports physicians, and orthopedic surgeons, benefit from structured information exchange, according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine 3

Move from doctor-centered to patient-centered care models that are "respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs and values", as suggested by the American Gastroenterological Association 4
Allow patients to fully express their concerns without interruption—research shows patients who are allowed to complete their concerns only speak for an average of 32 seconds, according to the American College of Cardiology 5
Use open-ended questions like "what else?" to improve physician-patient communications and gather complete information that can be shared across the care team, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 5

Develop formal processes for communication during key transition points in care, such as initial referral, treatment phase, and guidance phase, as suggested by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 3

Develop communication skills training programs for both physical therapists and physicians that focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, according to the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Use telehealth platforms to facilitate communication when face-to-face meetings aren't possible, as recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Establish clear protocols for urgent communication when immediate physician input is needed for physical therapy care, as suggested by the American Society of Clinical Oncology 6

Implement efficient communication protocols that respect the limited time of both physical therapists and physicians, according to the American Gastroenterological Association 1
Establish accountability measures to ensure communication protocols are consistently followed, as recommended by the British Journal of Sports Medicine 3

The American Gastroenterological Association proposes using the "I'm Late" mnemonic (Impression, Minute of silence, Listen, Acknowledge, Touch, Empathize) as a framework for effective communication between healthcare providers 7, 11

The American College of Physicians recommends avoiding using personal email accounts for professional communications; instead, use encrypted messages over secure network connections 9
The American College of Physicians suggests recognizing that electronic communication merely supplements face-to-face encounters and should not replace direct professional interaction 8