Confidence
What can we do to build
confidence in our pts?
Confidence
If they think they can, they will; if they
think they can’t, they won’t
Circular in nature (low to high; activity
dependent)
Low confidence, low commitment
High confidence, high commitment
Upward Spiral
Prime rehab.
I will recover
I may recover pretty well Good rehab.
Better rehab.
I may be able to recover
I don’t think I will recover
Worse rehab.
Full recovery is a long shot Poor rehab.
I will never recover fully
Failed rehab.
Downward Spiral
4 Levels of Confidence
Program
Adherence
Convincing them the are capable of adhering &
completing
Physical
Return to Activity
Belief they can return to activity & even improve
Program Confidence
What can we do to ↑ Program
confidence?
Adherence Confidence
What can we do to ↑ Adherence
confidence?
Physical Confidence
What can we do to ↑ Physical
confidence?
Point out healing progress
Highlight + responses to demands of
rehab
Return to Activity Confidence
What can we do to ↑ RTA confidence?
Keep motivation up, anxiety down &
stay focused
Realistic attitude about progress
Strategies for teaching
+ thinking skills
Walk Strong
People express what they are thinking &
feeling in their bodies
Talk Strong
If talk is negative, their thoughts & feelings
are negative
Strategies for teaching
+ thinking skills
I will recover fully from
Rehab Litany my injury
Should be a routine part I always think & talk +ly
of daily rehab session about my rehab
I give my best effort @
every PT session
I expect to feel
discomfort & that’s ok
I am confident, relaxed &
focused during PT
I am getting healthier &
stronger every day
I am excited about RTA
Strategies for teaching
+ thinking skills
Thought stopping
Make pt aware of –
thinking & talking
Teach them to
replace w/+ thinking
& talking
Strategies for teaching
+ thinking skills
Sometimes
Negative thinking can be a + thing
It shows the pt cares
Give up negative thinking – dwelling on
injury & - aspects of rehab
vs
Fire up negative thinking – typified by
frustration & impatience with rehab; direct
anger & use it to your advantage