Asking for help can be hard, both in our personal lives and in physical therapy. I would even argue that it can be harder to ask for help in the work setting; this is a place where you want to be perceived as an expert, as someone in control, and as someone that others want to come to with their questions. But we are humans, subject to stress, and, as much as we may hate to admit it, we are not all-knowing. We all need help sometimes, whether it may be a question about a patient, or that we need to delegate a task.

Asking for Help Is Difficult

For all the reasons I touched on above, it can feel impossible to ask for help. Our pride gets in the way. While being confident and proud of yourself is unquestionably good, too much self-importance can hold you back. Pride is considered one of the deadly sins for a reason. Truth be told, there is even a piece of me that is struggling to write this because it feels like I am admitting to a whole group of my peers that there are things in the world of physical therapy that I don’t know. But ultimately I recognize the benefit of discussing this topic is more important than my own pride.

When we can’t let go of our ego enough to allow ourselves to ask for help, it can build a wall between us and our peers. Collaboration is good for everybody, and other physical therapists are usually the best resource for a PT.

Honesty with Peers

In my experience, having a colleague that acts as if they know it all is a turn-off. Being part of a team is a great feeling, but this overconfident persona can only interfere with that collaborative atmosphere. We all know that no one person can know everything, and no one therapist’s singular approach to a patient is the only way. Do you feel you can trust an individual that conducts themselves as if this were so?

Every physical therapist has unique patient experiences. Your colleagues and peers may have seen something you have not and could offer insight into something unfamiliar to you. Asking them for that information is not only the professional thing to do, it makes them feel good by boosting their self-confidence in their own knowledge. Then they will also be more likely to ask you for help when they have their own need or question. There is a clear benefit for the patient as well, and that’s truly the whole point.

All that being said, I have had some amazing supervisors over the years whose kindhearted leadership makes it easy to ask questions. These are the exemplary, yet unassuming physical therapists that I have been honored to learn from and strive to emulate. Use this resource; you will grow as a clinician, and you will grow as a person.

Honesty with Patients

It can be particularly difficult to not have an answer for a patient’s question. They came to you asking for help with their own need, and in this setting, we truly are the expert. But if they pose a question that you really don’t know the answer to, the best thing you can do is be upfront, say that you don’t know but you will find out. They may be disappointed not to get an answer in the moment, but at least they know that you will be honest with them. And when you follow-though with your promise to find an answer, you will be that much more trustworthy.

If you risk posing a guess or pretending you know, that patient may get conflicting information later on that will undermine not only your knowledge but their trust in you. Besides, pretending can add to your internal stress, and we know that’s not good for anybody.

Keep On Learning

As physical therapists, it is our responsibility to give our patients the best care, even when that means doing a little research. Many of us have continuing education requirements to maintain our license, but if something unfamiliar comes in the door, learn what you can about it. That can be in the form of pulling out the old textbooks, reading the research, or even a simple internet search. Or, of course, asking for help. It is what is best for your patients, and, again, you will grow as a clinician.

Throughout my career, I have made a few switches in the field in which I practice (such as pediatrics to outpatient orthopedics). This was a big shift in focus and required some time, effort, and commitment to get to the point of feeling confident in my work. If I was not willing to put in that time, do the research, or ask the questions, what would be the point? Now I know that I am competent in both areas of practice, and I can be proud of that, and of my hard work.

Conversely, I have had other therapists ask me for my input from my clinical background (maybe a pediatric patient, or maybe durable medical equipment needs). Let me tell you, it feels awesome to have the answers.

We can help guide each other through situations where we are not comfortable, and we all learn something new. Bottom line, we all win.

Helping Others

Most people like helping others. Usually, that is why we do what we do. It feels good to help people, and that certainly goes for our peers as well. As a bonus, it garners respect to be viewed as a therapist that will do whatever it takes to do the best for your patient. Being able to ask for help shows strength, not weakness. Working as a team helps build a natural support system and a sense of community- a huge bonus in a demanding job.