Clinical Communication

A cranial nerve examination can be part of a general neurological examination for some clinicians, but often not considered by others. Whilst resources and guides now exist online on how to perform a cranial nerve examination, less guidance is available on what to say to patients before, during and after performing one. Until now. Alan Taylor is a Specialist Physiotherapist in Vascular Flow Limitations, especially related to Cervical Spine Risk, as well as being an Associate Professor at The University of Nottingham. In this episode Ben & Alan Cover: (00:00:00) – Introduction (00:00:50) – What led to Alan Being Interested In Cranial Nerve Testing? (00:03:50) – Why Are Cranial Nerve Examinations Not Taught As Much At Undergraduate Level? (00:07:18) – How Accurate Are The Cranial Nerve Tests? (00:08:50) – How To Prepare Patients For A Cranial Nerve Examination? (00:10:54) – What To Say During Each Part Of A Cranial Nerve Examination? (00:20:49) – Can The Torch On A Mobile Phone Replace A Pen Torch? (00:22:57) – What Should We Say To Patients After The Cranial Nerve Examination? (00:29:40) – What Is It Like To Be An Expert Witness & Who Should Consider Doing It? (00:34:10) – Alan’s Hardest Clinical Conversation (00:39:20) – What Is The Story Of Alan & Rogers Not Country Music Band?   You can find Ben across Social Media: @BWhybrowPhysio   Alan’s Social Media: X/Twitter: @TaylorAlanJ Instagram: @alan_taylor_physio YouTube: @alantaylor1068   Alan’s Cranial Nerve Examination Paper Discussed: A Guide To Cranial Nerve Testing For Musculoskeletal Clinicians https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8725776/ Lawrence County Band: https://www.youtube.com/@Skiffleshow https://linktr.ee/lawrence_county?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYxduB4Kcna3j5NI8XIulc8pDwQqlZMuXOZIOK-WIG5gz0gJ2D89APPTG0_aem_84E4Qu8lQKBU2EoDXM5AJA

Trying to influence individual patient beliefs is tricky, but can be made even harder when someone else in their life is giving opposite information to you and having a greater influence. This episode talks through who else could influence a patients belief and how you could try to manage it. If you find this useful then do share & subscribe. For more follow @BWhybrowPhysio on X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or LinkedIn.

One of the hardest conversations in clinical practice is when the person in front of you holds the opposite belief to you as to how their problem should be managed, and they are not open to changing their mind. Engrained beliefs don't change suddenly, but how these conversations play out can be made more productive and collaborative for everyone involved. This episode discusses how to achieve this and important aspects to consider. Find this useful? Then please subscribe and share it with anyone you think would find it useful. You can find Ben on X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok & LinkedIn - @BWhybrowPhysio Thank you for listening.

Steroid injections have been available in healthcare for seventy years for various uses. But how should we discuss the risks and benefits of them for musculoskeletal pain with patients? How should we support someone who is really keen for one, but it’s not in their best interests? On this episode Ben is joined by Nick Livadas, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner & Lecturer at Teeside University for which he leads the Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy module.  They discuss; (00:00:00) – Introduction (00:01:25) – What Made Nick Interested In Steroid Injections? (00:04:30) – What Do Patients Usually Ask About Steroid Injections? (00:08:50) – Shared Decision Making With Steroid Injections (00:13:15) – How Have Patient Questions & Knowledge About Steroid Injections Changed Over Time? (00:13:40) – Should We Still Describe Steroid Injections As A “Window Of Opportunity”? (00:18:00) – How Should We Tell A Patient A Steroid Injection May Not Help Them? (00:19:40) – What Should We Say To Someone When The Benefit Of The Steroid Injection Lasts Longer Than Expected? (00:23:07) – How To Discuss The Risks Of Steroid Injections To Patients? (00:29:55) – How To Tell The Patient When A Steroid Injection Isn’t In Their Best Interests (00:36:10) – Are These Conversations Really The “Advanced” Part Of Being An APP? (00:38:50) – How To Support Those Who Are Afraid Of An Injection (00:41:48) – Nicks Hardest Conversations (And Helpful Strategies) (00:48:50) – The Time Limit Downside To Being An Advance Practitioner (00:54:04) – What Would Nick Change About Persistent Pain Management In Society? (00:56:23) – How NEMS was formed & What It Is (01:01:10) – How To Contact Nick & Further Courses   You Can Find Nick On; X & LinkedIn – @nicklivadas   His Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy Course at Teeside University is here: https://www.tees.ac.uk/parttime_courses/sport_&_exercise/ucpce_musculoskeletal_injection_therapy.cfm   You Can Find North-East Musculoskeletal Society (NEMS) at: X – @nemsoc16 Instagram – @nemsociety   You Can Find Ben on X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube & LinkedIn - @BWhybrowPhysio