PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy · Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT | Physical Therapy Podcast

Getting Patient Buy-In When They Don’t Want Help

·33 min·3 clips

What do you do when a patient doesn't want your help in physical therapy?

This episode of the PT Pintcast explores strategies for physical therapists to engage patients who are hesitant or resistant to care. Host Jimmy McKay interviews Dr. Sidney Stoddard, an expert who has developed a practical framework for this common clinical challenge. Dr. Stoddard draws from years of experience working on acute care hospital floors and in educational settings. The conversation focuses on navigating the tension when clinicians must motivate movement for patients who are tired, frustrated, and eager to leave the hospital. Dr. Stoddard introduces a specific framework designed to be used immediately by PTs in these situations. He discusses moving past the inherent pressure and stress clinicians feel when facing patient resistance. The episode aims to provide actionable methods for building trust and driving outcomes even when patients initially do not want help. A key insight is the shift from a mindset of "fixing" a patient to one of collaborative partnership. Dr. Stoddard emphasizes understanding the patient's perspective and their immediate goals, such as simply wanting to go home. The framework likely involves reframing the clinician's approach to align with the patient's own motivations. Practical communication techniques for de-escalating frustration and fostering buy-in are central to the discussion. The episode suggests that effective strategies can transform a resistant interaction into a productive therapeutic alliance. The tone is conversational and educational, blending personal anecdote with professional methodology. The style is practical and solution-oriented, offering direct clinical application. This episode is ideal for physical therapists and clinicians working in acute care or any setting where patient motivation is a barrier. Listeners seeking abstract theory rather than immediate clinical tools might find it less relevant.

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