Sport Psychology in Sport Medicine A Needs Assessment
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Authors
Cantor, Michelle
Issue Date
1998
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
It is generally agreed that physical healing from an injury, particularly a sports-related injury, goes hand in hand with psychological healing from the injury. In order to determine a role for psychological strategies in rehabilitation regimens, and whether health care professionals, are aware of the role of the sports psychology consultant, a group of physicians and chiropractors were asked to participate in a survey. This survey- a needs assessment instrument- was designed to study the use of psychology in sports injury and rehabilitation.
Two orthopedic surgeons and two chiropractors were interviewed to obtain data about their patient population and types of sports injury seen. The participants were also interviewed with respect to their patients' adherence to rehabilitation and completion time for rehabilitation. Finally, all four participants were asked to till out questionnaires designed to assess their knowledge of and attitudes toward psychological strategies and techniques that may be useful in successful rehabilitation from sports injury.
Results showed that all participants felt that using a positive and sincere communication style and setting realistic goals are extremely important. The attitudes of orthopedic surgeons were compared to those of chiropractors. The latter felt that teaching muscular relaxation techniques, emotional control strategies and use of mental imagery were also important. This view was not shared by the orthopedist's.
Clearly, both the orthopedist and chiropractors felt there was a role for sports psychology. Their view was-the use of sports psychology should be determined by the clients' needs, notably when symptoms transcended the purely physical.