Voices of the BCA is a member spotlight series sharing the perspectives, experiences and insights of chiropractors across the UK.
In this edition, we hear from Sam Tiley, a chiropractor who works alongside Premiership rugby teams, as he reflects on patient communication techniques and the perception of musculoskeletal health in the UK – and what needs to change to improve the lives of patients.
What was the hardest part of being a chiropractor or chiropractic student that people outside the profession rarely see?
The hardest part is the misinformation that some patients are exposed to, especially when it impacts their treatment. I have experienced situations where patients who are making improvements and their quality of life is improving, until they suddenly withdraw from their treatment. When I reach out to them, they explain that a medical professional or manual therapist has told them that chiropractors are too dangerous and to stop care immediately.
This is incredibly frustrating as a clinician, especially when the patient ceases all manual therapy and goes back to relying on prescription medication. In these situations, you do feel somewhat powerless because, although we can go through the evidence and try to rebuild trust and rapport, the damage is often already done.
What is a small communication habit that has made the biggest difference to your patient relationships?
The biggest adaption I have made to my communication is active listening during my initial consultation.
When I open the consultation, I give patients an opportunity to tell me their story. At this point, I put my pen down and face the patient while slightly opening the physical space between us.
Allowing them to fully explain their story does take some time but it’s extremely valuable.
After they finish talking, I’m able to explain back to them my understanding of what they’ve told me and start asking my questions about their presentation and history.
Being able to process the information and then repeat it back to them shows that I have indeed not just written down notes but actually understood their position. This often is a very different experience for the patient than compared to, say, a GP appointment, which can sometimes feel rushed.
Ensuring the patient feels heard and valued has enhanced my rapport with patients from day one. As a result, I’ve seen a massive increase in patient buy-in and outcomes.
If you could change one thing about how musculoskeletal health is perceived in the UK, what would it be and why?
I encounter a large volume of patients who have suffered from pain and dysfunction for years. Many of these patients are on a long-term pain medication to try and minimise their symptoms, as they’re told that there is nothing else that can be done to help them. This is particularly common in patients who have been told or believe that their complaint is due to arthritis, as the common misconception is that it’s a one-way street, and there is no way to reduce symptoms.
I would love for more of the population to have access to, and trust in, manual therapists like chiropractors to explore treatments that improve function and quality of life.
There must be thousands of people in the country who have lost hope in improving their conditions and it will be great when we’re finally able to help more of them.
Voices of the BCA is a fortnightly series where BCA members speak in their own words about practice, patients, and the profession they've chosen. If you are a BCA member and you’d like to participate, contact katrin.mahfuz@chiropractic-uk.co.uk.