Table 4 Summary of panel’s agreement levels concerning the patient-practitioner relationship (Round 2; n = 23)
Rank | Sub-set | Statement | Mean (S.D.) | [95% CIs] | Agreement levels | Panel consensus | Percentage Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient-practitioner relationship (k = 19 statements) | |||||||
1.5 | Non-verbal behaviour | Using eye contact, smiling, caring expressions of support to convey empathy or compassion | 4.74 (± 0.45) | [4.54, 4.93] | 73.9% strongly agree 26.1% agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
1.5 | Using specific diagnostic approach | Providing a meaningful explanation of the patient’s LBP (i.e., cognitive reassurance) which is clear, understandable, and can be referred to after treatment | 4.74 (± 0.45) | [4.54, 4.93] | 73.9% strongly agree. 26.1% agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
3.5 | Person-centred care approach | Ensuring the patient feels listened to and heard (e.g., active listening or noting their responses) | 4.70 (± 0.56) | [4.45, 4.94] | 73.9% strongly agree 21.7% agree | Yes (95.7%) | 4.3% (unsure) |
3.5 | Person-centred care approach | Individualising the interaction style according to a patient’s preference (e.g., collaborative, or authoritative) | 4.70 (± 0.56) | [4.45, 4.94] | 73.9% strongly agree 21.7% agree | Yes (95.7%) | 4.3% (unsure) |
5 | Non-verbal behaviour | Being warm, friendly, and relaxed during the appointment | 4.65 (± 0.49) | [4.44, 4.86] | 65.2% strongly agree 34.8% agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
6.5* | Person-centred care approach | Compassionately expressing your understanding of how LBP affects them (e.g., 'I understand how frustrating it is not to be able to walk your dog/go dancing/garden' etc.) | 4.61 (± 0.50) | [4.39, 4.82] | 60.9% strongly agree 39.1% agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
6.5 | Person-centred care approach | Promoting the patient’s sense of relatedness and partnership with you (i.e., therapeutic alliance) | 4.61 (± 0.58) | [4.36, 4.86] | 65.2% strongly agree 30.4% agree | Yes (95.7%) | 4.3% (unsure) |
9* | Person-centred care approach | Confirming the patient not only heard but also understood the content of your communication | 4.57 (± 0.51) | [4.35, 4.78] | 56.5% strongly agree 43.5% Agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
9 | Non-verbal behaviour | Not rushing or interrupting the patient; giving them time to tell their story | 4.57 (± 0.59) | [4.31, 4.82] | 60.9% strongly agree 34.8% agree | Yes (95.7%) | 4.3% (unsure) |
9 | Person-centred care approach | Engaging in collaborative decision-making together (e.g., mutually agreed, and flexible goals) | 4.57 (± 0.66) | [4.28, 4.85] | 65.2% strongly agree 26.1% agree | Yes (91.3%) | 8.7% (unsure) |
12.5 | Person-centred care approach | Using verbal expressions of empathy, support, and language reciprocity (e.g., using the patient’s words) | 4.52 (± 0.51) | [4.30, 4.74] | 52.2% strongly agree 47.8% agree | Yes (100%) | 0% |
12.5 | Using specific diagnostic approach | Examining the patient fully using appropriate therapeutic ‘hands on’ touch during the clinical examination | 4.52 (± 0.59) | [4.27, 4.78] | 56.5% strongly agree 39.1% agree | Yes (95.6%) | 4.3% (unsure) |
12.5 | Non-verbal behaviour | Using affirmative head nodding, forward leaning, open body postures/orientations | 4.52 (± 0.67) | [4.23, 4.81] | 60.9% strongly agree 30.4% agree | Yes (91.3%) | 8.7% (unsure) |
12.5* | Person-centred care approach | Demonstrating you trust or respect the patient and their opinions | 4.52 (± 0.67) | [4.23, 4.81] | 60.9% strongly agree 30.4% agree | Yes (91.3%) | 8.7% (unsure) |
15 | Using specific diagnostic approach | Asking questions about the meaning of the patient’s symptoms (i.e., what symptoms indicate to them). (n = 22)a | 4.50 (± 0.60) | [4.24, 4.76] | 54.5% strongly agree 40.9% agree | Yes (95.4%) | 4.5% (unsure) |
16 | Using specific diagnostic approach | Providing a confident diagnosis (e.g., providing a diagram with simple explanations and/or notes) | 4.43 (± 0.73) | [4.12, 4.75] | 56.5% strongly agree 30.4% agree | Yes (86.9%) | 13.0% (unsure) |
17* | Using specific diagnostic approach | Explaining improvement(s) can be dynamic, and their condition/symptoms may change throughout treatment | 4.39 (± 0.72) | [4.08, 4.70] | 52.2% strongly agree 34.8% agree | Yes (87.0%) | 13.0% (unsure) |
18 | Person-centred care approach | Adopting psychosocial talk or partnership statements (e.g., we, us, together) | 4.22 (± 0.67) | [3.93, 4.51] | 34.8% strongly agree 52.2% agree | Yes (87.0%) | 13.0% (unsure) |
19 | Non-verbal behaviour | Applying different forms of touch (e.g., assistive touch, touch to prepare the patient, touch to provide information, touch to reassure the patient) | 3.96 (± 0.83) | [3.60, 4.31] | 26.1% strongly agree 47.8% agree | No (73.9%) | 21.7% (unsure) 4.3% disagree |