Reference no: EM133906563

Question

This article explores how therapeutic relationships form in remote, group-based physiotherapy sessions for patients with shoulder pain. As healthcare increasingly shifts to telehealth-especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic-understanding how clinicians build rapport with patients virtually has become more important. The study focuses on how these relationships influence treatment delivery, patient engagement, and overall satisfaction. The purpose of the study is to examine how patient-clinician relationships evolve in virtual group settings and how these relationships affect treatment processes and outcomes. A central concern was whether meaningful connections could still be developed despite the lack of face-to-face interaction, and what challenges clinicians face in trying to maintain strong relationships remotely. The key findings I found in this article is the researchers conducted interviews with 18 patients and 7 clinicians involved in remote group physiotherapy. From these discussions, six key themes emerged. Patients generally felt more confident and engaged when clinicians communicated clearly, demonstrated competence, and expressed empathy. Informal interactions, like casual conversation or checking in personally, helped deepen the relationship. These small gestures made patients feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns. Interestingly, technical issues during sessions became opportunities to build trust when clinicians responded with patience and support.