When Patients Are Complex, Get Simple

Where does your mind go when you have that complex patient.  The one with pages of medical history.  Who has a pre-written timeline for you.  Or who is undergoing testing for multiple other conditions?One of my clinicians at PelvicSanity was asking me about a patient like this.  And she was genuinely complex!I think often our assumption is a complex patient requires complex treatment.  We have to get everything 'right' - the right interventions, the right referral at exactly the right time.  Or that maybe we're not even the 'right' person to be helping!But in reality, it's usually the opposite.  When the patient is complex, we get simple.  Go back to basics. 1)  Get a Clear Picture - These folks often have so much going on their recollections aren't always accurate.  Have them bring you more information - a bladder/bowel diary, tracking their cycle, a symptom log.  Something to help hone in exactly what is going on.  (By the way, this will be helpful for any other provider they are seeing as well!).2)  Get the Biggest Bang for your Buck - I always am looking for an intervention that has positive impact on multiple symptoms.  This is why breathing is such a good go-to.  Going out for a gentle walk can kill multiple birds with one stone.  Improving sleep.  Get creative, and lean into what you already know and what works with these folks.3)  Vagus Nerve Treatment - This is always a go-to intervention for me, because this checks so many different boxes.  It's connected to gut health.  To mood.  To breathing.  To stress.  To heart rate variability.  To a feeling of safety to tolerate other treatments.  Vagus Nerve Masterclass - Doors Open Tomorrow! (Tues, 4/23)If you haven't already, make sure you're on the wait list for the Vagus Nerve Masterclass (www.pelvicptrising.com/vagus) - doors open tomorrow, and it's going to be amazing!  Bite-sized, super-practical and only $47, you will learn practical, hands-on techniques for treating the vagus nerve.About UsNicole and Jesse Cozean founded Pelvic PT Rising to provide clinical and business resources to physical therapists to change the way we treat pelvic health.   PelvicSanity Physical Therapy (www.pelvicsanity.com) together in 2016.  It grew quickly into one of the largest cash-based physical therapy practices in the country.Through Pelvic PT Rising, Nicole has created clinical courses (www.pelvicptrising.com/clinical) to help pelvic health providers gain confidence in their skills and provide frameworks to get better patient outcomes.  Together, Jesse and Nicole have helped 500+ pelvic practices start and grow through the Pelvic PT Rising Business Programs (www.pelvicptrising.com/business) to build a practice that works for them!  Get in Touch!Learn more at www.pelvicptrising.com, follow Nicole @nicolecozeandpt (www.instagram.com/nicolecozeandpt) or reach out via email ([email protected]).Check out our Clinical Courses, Business Resources and learn more about us at Pelvic PT Rising...Let's Continue to Rise!