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The Physician/Patient Encounter from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Perspective

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Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) offers benefit in rehabilitation, particularly with pain problems. Its conceptual basis and certain of its techniques fit well with the type of occupational rehabilitation that encourages patient involvement and comprehensive attention to impediments to reaching functional goals. The physician-patient encounter remains a pivotal force from the onset of illness or injury through rehabilitation and resolution. Communications within these encounters have been studied and linked to patient attitudes, perceptions, and health- related outcomes. There appears to be potentially useful conjunction between CBT principles and parameters of interest in the physician-patient encounter. Scientific attention to this conjunction is largely lacking. However, suggestions are offered that may enable physicians and other health care providers to apply CBT early in the course of illness, interact more effectively in a multi disciplinary team using CBT, or make more fruitful referrals to CBT practitioners.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

    Sam Moon

  2. Vanderbilt Medical School, Nashville, Tennessee

    Judy Liu

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  1. Sam Moon
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  2. Judy Liu
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Moon, S., Liu, J. The Physician/Patient Encounter from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Perspective. J Occup Rehabil 8, 153–172 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023019823895

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