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It’s been over 3 years since @osmanahmed & I started Patient Voices, a @BJSM_BMJ series focused on people’s experiences with #sportandexercisemedicine in their own words. I realized that we recently crossed the 20-story mark! Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
Pro footballer Jermain Defoe turned his veteran eye to the impact of changes in sport science, culture, & age on staying competitive.
His advice:
Trust the player.
Care should be customized, comprehensive, & responsive to change.
Don’t rush the rehab.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/24/1554
His advice:
Trust the player.
Care should be customized, comprehensive, & responsive to change.
Don’t rush the rehab.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/24/1554
Stefano Della Villa shared his journey from #SEM MD to patient after triple cervical fusion surgery.
His advice:
Be precise in treatment planning.
Clearly communicate the post-op process.
Start rehab at the right time to optimize surgical outcomes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/24/1565
His advice:
Be precise in treatment planning.
Clearly communicate the post-op process.
Start rehab at the right time to optimize surgical outcomes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/24/1565
Can’t imagine playing sport post total hip replacement? #TeamGB CP footballer Martin Sinclair has done it. Twice.
His advice:
Prioritize the patient's RTPlay opinion.
Encourage a positive patient mindset & patient support network.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/20/1321
His advice:
Prioritize the patient's RTPlay opinion.
Encourage a positive patient mindset & patient support network.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/20/1321
Rower Lindsay Woodford shares how overtraining led to her nickname, The Dormouse.
Her advice:
Think of overtraining syndrome earlier.
GPs: refer elite athletes to sport specialists (eg MD,PT) faster.
Include sport psychology in the rehab process.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/2/125
Her advice:
Think of overtraining syndrome earlier.
GPs: refer elite athletes to sport specialists (eg MD,PT) faster.
Include sport psychology in the rehab process.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/2/125
The Olympics & #Crohn's? High jumper @AlyxTreasure talks about how she's made it work.
Her advice:
Talk it out: no interprofessional siloes.
Take a wholistic approach to symptoms & a person-centred approach to management.
Advocate. For yourself & others.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/6/365
Her advice:
Talk it out: no interprofessional siloes.
Take a wholistic approach to symptoms & a person-centred approach to management.
Advocate. For yourself & others.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/6/365
Wilson Du (IG: renalwarrior2016) shares how #endstagerenaldisease led him to get #physically active.
His advice:
Communicate & understand your patients.
Tailor your information to the specific patient.
See the person, not just the patient.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/8/495
His advice:
Communicate & understand your patients.
Tailor your information to the specific patient.
See the person, not just the patient.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/8/495
For Peter Steiner, runner’s colitis turned out to be cancer—but that was just the beginning.
His advice:
Exercise is beneficial for people w/ cancer.
Set up cancer treatment informed exercise plans.
Post-colorectal surgery RTPerformance is possible.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/5/311
His advice:
Exercise is beneficial for people w/ cancer.
Set up cancer treatment informed exercise plans.
Post-colorectal surgery RTPerformance is possible.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/5/311
The end of a career-especially before you're ready-is hard. Judoka Patrick Dawson shares his transition.
His advice:
Be aware & help prepare athletes for the mental/emotional impact of injury.
Promote a culture of openness re: mental pressure on athletes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/755
His advice:
Be aware & help prepare athletes for the mental/emotional impact of injury.
Promote a culture of openness re: mental pressure on athletes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/755
Chiara Gusmini's story of chronic pain management illustrates how HCPs can be part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
Her advice:
Trust your patients.
Exercise is effective for chronic pain.
Prescribe pharmaceuticals wisely.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/753
Her advice:
Trust your patients.
Exercise is effective for chronic pain.
Prescribe pharmaceuticals wisely.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/12/753
Rohit Malyala used powerlifting to push through fear after a diagnosis of scoliosis.
Their advice:
Intense exercise can help build resilience against fragility.
Educate patients:
--association b/t anxiety & pain.
--spinal curve doesn't = quality of life.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/15/943
Their advice:
Intense exercise can help build resilience against fragility.
Educate patients:
--association b/t anxiety & pain.
--spinal curve doesn't = quality of life.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/15/943
Kids have stories, too. Julie Berg submitted the story of an anonymous young athlete's journey through ACL injury.
Their advice:
Never forget the patient's perspective.
Patient satisfaction should be the aim.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/9/560
Their advice:
Never forget the patient's perspective.
Patient satisfaction should be the aim.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/9/560
Footballer Christopher Luff’s story highlights how self-advocacy, evidence-based education, finding community, and financial privilege all played a role in his 9-month post-concussion journey back to sport.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1438
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1438
Physiotherapist Louise Grant’s familial & professional experience informed her own total hip replacement journey.
Her advice:
Good communication b/t the surgeon & rehab team is essential.
Healing isn't a race. Encourage patience in your patients.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/03/26/bjsports-2019-101899
Her advice:
Good communication b/t the surgeon & rehab team is essential.
Healing isn't a race. Encourage patience in your patients.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/03/26/bjsports-2019-101899
Doug Bentall’s RED-S journey started at 48 years old with a renewed interest in cycling.
His advice:
Amateur cyclists, their coaches & HCPs must be aware of & educated about the sport's energy needs & the potential impact of relative energy deficiency.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/21/1303
His advice:
Amateur cyclists, their coaches & HCPs must be aware of & educated about the sport's energy needs & the potential impact of relative energy deficiency.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/21/1303
What does it take to be a multi-time Paralympian with a 20-plus year career? Bo Hedges shared the story of his longevity.
His advice:
Be open-minded & observant.
Disability is not a limitation to exercise.
Trial/error/adapt is part of the process. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/17/1062
His advice:
Be open-minded & observant.
Disability is not a limitation to exercise.
Trial/error/adapt is part of the process. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/17/1062
Melissa Romano took a tipped softball to the face. Her concussion recovery took 6 years.
Her advice:
Talk to & learn from people who've had concussions.
Know ALL the symptoms of concussion.
Use your clinical expertise to help patients set boundaries.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/06/bjsports-2019-101867
Her advice:
Talk to & learn from people who've had concussions.
Know ALL the symptoms of concussion.
Use your clinical expertise to help patients set boundaries.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/09/06/bjsports-2019-101867
For runner Mary Johnson, “Playing through pain” became an 18-month chronic pain odyssey.
Her advice:
Respect your patients’ knowledge & experience.
Educate & uphold your authority.
Don’t be an asshole.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/2/123
Her advice:
Respect your patients’ knowledge & experience.
Educate & uphold your authority.
Don’t be an asshole.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/55/2/123
Pro basketball player Emily Potter ( @empotter10) shared her RTPerformance process.
Her advice:
Physical issues are worse if your mental health is suffering.
Celebrate your patients' successes.
Cultivate a space where athletes can share their feelings.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/07/28/bjsports-2020-102431
Her advice:
Physical issues are worse if your mental health is suffering.
Celebrate your patients' successes.
Cultivate a space where athletes can share their feelings.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/07/28/bjsports-2020-102431
For footballer Frederikke Madsen, the mental toll of a career-ending injury was the hardest part of recovery.
Her advice:
Acknowledge the importance of mental health for injured athletes.
Provide psychological support to athletes w/career ending injuries.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1440
Her advice:
Acknowledge the importance of mental health for injured athletes.
Provide psychological support to athletes w/career ending injuries.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1440
For Michelle Dyer, recovery from a waterskiing injury was the challenge of a lifetime.
Her advice:
Take the time to rule out time-sensitive injuries.
Be cautious & conscientious with opioid prescriptions.
Team treatment approaches work-use them more!
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/22/1373
Her advice:
Take the time to rule out time-sensitive injuries.
Be cautious & conscientious with opioid prescriptions.
Team treatment approaches work-use them more!
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/22/1373
A brave athlete shared their story of sexual violence & HCPs' role.
Their advice:
Trust is critical to clinician-patient relationships & sexual violence survivors. Earn it.
Silence & inaction fuel sexual violence cycles; care & connection disrupt it.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/11/05/bjsports-2020-103301
Their advice:
Trust is critical to clinician-patient relationships & sexual violence survivors. Earn it.
Silence & inaction fuel sexual violence cycles; care & connection disrupt it.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/11/05/bjsports-2020-103301
Dawn Richards’ work as a patient advocate is a gift to all health care stakeholders.
Her advice:
Context matters. Ask for it.
Recognize work outside of the clinical/academic realm.
Affirm patients’ power.
Put yourself in patients’ shoes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1376
Her advice:
Context matters. Ask for it.
Recognize work outside of the clinical/academic realm.
Affirm patients’ power.
Put yourself in patients’ shoes.
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/23/1376
And so, that's where we're at. The journey of #PatientVoices for @osmanhahmed (I got the tag right this time Face with rolling eyes) & I was made possible through the indefatigable support of @KarimKhan_IMHA
& @tessajlrichards. We're grateful to you both.
& @tessajlrichards. We're grateful to you both.
Cheers to @LiamWest, @SteffanGriffin, @shereebekker, & Claire Langford for facilitating the evolution of this section, bumps, bruises, and all.
Being involved with this work @BJSM_BMJ has challenged me as a clinician, researcher, & editor. It's reminded me, YET AGAIN, that there are MANY systems of knowing, not just A system of knowing, which is critical to optimizing athlete health & performance. https://www.pantograph-punch.com/posts/dear-epidemiology
The praxis of #SEM-whatever your discipline or role-must be oriented around sport participants-PEOPLE- whatever their ages, stages, or fields of play. Thank you to our contributors for reminding me, inspiring me, & holding me accountable to that mission with your stories.
Onward.
Onward.
