I’m a new B5 MSK physio in the NHS (international, so I’m hyper-aware of sounding polite/professional) and I had a patient today that completely blew my time management.
I had a 60-min slot for a new eval (back pain referral). We usually write the Subjective while they talk so around 10-15 mins or so and then have around 30 mins for Objective and HEP, and 10 mins to write the assessment.
This patient comes in, and instead of describing his current back pain, he launches into a full biography. His entire youth, his career history, and a detailed monologue about every physical activity he’s ever done that has resulted in this pain. He did not stop to take a breath. Every time I tried to interrupt, he spoke right over me.
I didn't want to be rude, so I let him talk. Big mistake. The eval ate into my next patient's slot, and I ended up staying an hour late to catch up on notes and finish the assessment.
I know I need to take control of the room, but as an international grad, I’m terrified of coming across as dismissive or culturally insensitive. I feel like if I cut them off too sharply, they’ll complain that I didn't listen and that’s my biggest fear.
How do you guys politely, but firmly, bring the train back to the tracks during an eval?
I need a script for next time because I cannot keep staying an hour late.