In Part 2 of our focus this month on Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians, entitled ‘Awkward Conversations’ host Matt Phillips is joined by special guest Richard Shorter, founder of non-perfectdad.co.uk, an expert in Sports Parenting & Business Leadership Conversations.

In this episode, Richard provides some fantastic tips on how to deal with the awkward conversations that can arise during clinical consultations in which children are accompanied by their parents or carers. The episode explores the power of asking permission, fencing the conversation, using whiteboards and card prompts, and de-escalation techniques to keep the child at the centre of care. Richard also discusses pre-consultation actions that can help pave the way for clearer communication in the consultation, including shaping the waiting-room, training for front desk, and many more.

  • 00:00:00 – Welcome to the STA Clinician Podcast
  • 00:02:46 – Introducing special guest Richard Shorter
  • 00:04:34 – The Story Behind Non-Perfect Dad
  • 00:10:51 – Handling Pressure Around Competitions for Young Athletes
  • 00:22:20 – How Asking Permission Builds Buy-In
  • 00:26:37 – Defusing Anger and De-escalation
  • 00:29:56 – Managing Parent Interruptions
  • 00:37:10 – Helping Shy Young People Speak
  • 00:41:11 – Shaping the Waiting Room Story
  • 00:48:01 – When Parents Compare Old Injuries
  • 00:56:12 – Honest Boundaries With Parents
  • 01:02:00 – How To Connect With Richard Shorter
  • 01:03:00 – Communication Skills for MSK Clinicians Part 3 & 4

Useful Links

Other Episodes In This Series

  • Part 1 – Motivational Interviewing for MSK Clinicians with guest Orla Adams – Available on YouTube & all popular Podcast Apps.
  • Part 3 – 8pm (UK time) Tues May 19th – Explaining Diagnoses with guest Ben Whybrow of the Clinical Communication Podcast
  • Part 4 – 8pm (UK time) Tues May 26th – Serena Simmons, founder of the psychologyschool.co, will be introducing the Psychological Patterning Process (PPP) – a structured way of recognising the patterns that sit underneath your client or patient’s behaviour, and understanding what to do next.

Want to join the live recordings?

Episodes of the STA Clinician Podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome – you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the ‘Sports Therapy Association Podcast’ on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.

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