Communication techniques for improved acceptance and adherence with therapeutic footwear.
OBJECTIVE
Clients' acceptance and adherence with orthoses can be influenced by a clinician's communication skills. In this clinical note, we describe two communication techniques, in the context of therapeutic footwear.


METHODS
Person-centred communication involves engaging with and listening to the attitudes of the client towards their condition, as well as discussing acceptance and expectations, in a structured consultation. Building a relationship is crucial and requires clients to feel heard and understood. An important influence on the acceptance and adherence is that a client makes a conscious decision to receive their device. This active receipt can be facilitated through shared decision making, wherein clinicians give clear, relevant and meaningful examples, based on clinical evidence, and ensure this is understood.


CONCLUSIONS
Two communication techniques for clinicians providing therapeutic footwear are described. These can be adapted for use with provision of other assistive technologies to improve client acceptance and adherence. Clinical relevance Small changes in how clinicians communicate to their clients in daily practice can have a big influence on the subsequent acceptance and adherence with therapeutic footwear and indeed other prescribed assistive technologies.
1 Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, Almelo and Hengelo, The Netherlands.
Jaap J
JJ
van Netten
2 National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics, Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Anthony
A
Francis
3 Northern Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Ashley
A
Morphet
4 Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia.
Lauren V
LV
Fortington
5 University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Klaas
K
Postema
6 School of Health Science, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
Anita
A
Williams
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D061826:Foot Orthoses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations
Health communication; education; illness perceptions; patient acceptance of healthcare; patient adherence; therapeutic footwear