5 Important Messages for Patients When Planning a Discharge

Patient education should not stop on the last visit, in fact, it's more important than ever. Here are five important messages I convey as discharge planning looms. Most patients expect more things to do just because it's the last visit, this shouldn't be practiced. If you do, how can you monitor how they affect the patient?

1.  Is there anything else you would like us to address?

• You'd be surprised how often patients who come for HA do not tell you about their lower back, knee pain, etc. because they thought it was not relevant at the time.

• This is also a way to lead into message #2.

2.  As NYS is DA, you do not need a prescription to come back and see us

• Patients are relieved and more likely to use your services in therapy again, or refer their friends and family when you tell them they can skip the rest/meds route and go directly to you.

3.  Keep up with your HEP (especially if MDT based)

• For how long? Only as long as you want to remain better.

• I always tell patients if they come back with the same complaints, and there was no trauma or accident, I will first happily greet them, then lecture them for not keeping up with their homework.

4.  When to come back

• As our spine research shows, there are better outcomes during the acute phases of cervical and lumbar injury or onset. It is important to tell your patient when to make an appointment.

• My guidelines are if your symptoms or similar area complaints return, double down on your HEP, and if there is improvement, it is likely to get better on its own.

• If the symptoms worsen, or they persist longer than one week without change, call immediately and we’ll get to you ASAP.

5.  Email me or call with any questions

• Patients, feel reassured if you are still available to answer questions even after you are finished seeing them.

• I do state that it may take a day to get back to normal by the right method of patient communication. Most patients understand that but feel reassured that you are still there to help when needed.

Bonus point: As a therapy professional, planning a patient's discharge is a part of my responsibility. I also give patients the option to stay on for performance enhancement or personal training should they not want to use a local gym or fitness center. If they do, I have suggestions for different categories depending on their needs: yoga, pilates, personal training, etc.

What are some messages you convey upon discharge?

Click here for more information on Dr. Erson Religioso III.