Most clinicians are taught to ask questions like a robot, check boxes, and move on. But the real impact happens when you know how to connect.
This course teaches physical therapists how to conduct a high-trust, high-yield subjective interview using evidence-based communication tactics drawn from psychology, negotiation, and elite-level rehab.
Learn how to gather better information, build rapport, and influence behavior in even the most resistant or guarded patients—all before you ever lay a hand on them.
Build a powerful Therapeutic Alliance that drives outcomes more than the interventions themselves
Identify and adapt to various patient communication styles for better buy-in and fewer disconnects
Decode non-verbal leakages to uncover true concerns, hesitation, or trust gaps
Use tactical empathy strategies like mirroring, labeling, and calibrated questions to guide behavior
Perform efficient differential diagnosis by categorizing symptoms before the physical exam begins
How to use this course
Before we begin...
Mastering Your Evaluations: Pt. 1 - The Subjective Notes
Lesson 1.1: Why Do These Skills Matter?
Lesson 1.2: Goals of the Subjective
Lesson 1.3: Understanding the Patient
Lesson 1.4: Education and Influence
Lesson 2.1: Essential Soft Skills
Lesson 2.2 - Body Language
Lesson 2.3: Let's Practice!
Lesson 2.4: Tactical Empathy
Lesson 2.5: Active Listening
Lesson 2.6: Labeling
Lesson 2.7: Mirroring
Lesson 2.8: Calibrated Questions
Lesson 2.9: Let's Practice!
Lesson 2.10: Tough Patients
Lesson 3.1: Forming Your Hypothesis
Lesson 3.2: Subjective Pattern Recognition
Lesson 3.3: Mechanical Symptoms - Bone
Lesson 3.4: Mechanical Symptoms - Arthritis
Lesson 3.5: Mechanical Symptoms - Cartilage
Lesson 3.6: Contractile Symptoms
Lesson 3.7: Nervous Tissue
Lesson 3.8: Systemic Symptoms - Inflammatory
Lesson 3.9: Systemic Symptoms - Endocrine
Lesson 4.1: Closing Thoughts
Practice Identifying Techniques
Differential Diagnosis: Choose the answer that BEST fits the subjective reports/description.
This course treats the subjective interview like the diagnostic tool it truly is. You’ll learn how to:
Build rapport without faking it
Control the pace and tone of the conversation
Rapidly rule in or out complex pathologies
Improve adherence and outcomes by giving patients a sense of autonomy
You'll stop dreading difficult patients—and start leading them with calm clarity.
Physical therapists seeking to improve patient adherence and trust
New grads struggling to navigate unpredictable conversations
Residents and advanced clinicians aiming to improve diagnostic efficiency
Educators and mentors who want to teach better interview skills
Anyone tired of checklists collapsing when patients become complex
Communication techniques that actually change behavior
The ability to recognize key diagnostic patterns before touching the patient
More accurate exams, better buy-in, and fewer follow-up surprises
A patient-provider relationship built on trust, not transaction
Designed specifically for rehab professionals, this course provides a solid foundation in strength training concepts tailored to the rehab setting.
Learn the core principles of strength training and their direct applications in rehab. Understand how to integrate strength-building strategies into treatment plans, targeting specific impairments and optimizing patient outcomes across various stages of rehabilitation. Build a foundation in tissue healing to promote safe progression from early rehab to return-to-activity.
Master exercise prescription by focusing on specificity and appropriate dosage tailored for rehab. Discover techniques for adjusting exercise parameters to accommodate different stages of healing, injury types, and functional goals, ensuring exercises are safe and effective for each patient's unique recovery journey.
Explore vertical and horizontal periodization models and how they can be applied to rehab settings. Learn to design phased rehab programs that progressively build strength and functional capacity while minimizing the risk of re-injury. Apply these concepts through practical case studies to develop problem-solving skills and handle complex clinical scenarios.
