“I want to walk to the park again” tells you a lot about a patient’s goal. Patient-facing language —Patientensprache in German— connects symptoms, movement and everyday life. These questions and explanations help you practise conversations your patients can understand and take part in.
Connect symptoms with daily activities
Start with an open question, then focus on a specific activity. You learn what concerns the person and the words they use to describe it.
„Was führt Sie heute zu uns?“
„Bei welcher Bewegung spüren Sie die Beschwerden?“
„Was fällt Ihnen im Alltag schwer?“
„Was möchten Sie wieder leichter tun können?“
Ask about the reason for attending, listen and follow up on one point. You might return to an activity such as standing up or climbing stairs. Give the patient space to explain their goal in their own words.
Explain the term through the movement
Connect terminology with something the person can see or do. Depending on the joint, explain Flexion as Beugen, bending, and Extension as Strecken, straightening. For Beweglichkeit, explain how far that joint can move.
„Damit meine ich, wie weit Sie das Gelenk bewegen können.“
„Ich zeige Ihnen zuerst die Bewegung.“
„Danach probieren Sie sie aus, und ich begleite Sie.“
These examples practise explanations. Choose the actual movement according to your assessment and agreed treatment plan. Repeat an explanation using different words to develop flexibility when speaking.
Check understanding and summarise the goal
Summarise a point from the response and invite confirmation. You show that you are listening and create a shared basis for continuing the conversation.
„Habe ich Sie richtig verstanden: Treppensteigen fällt Ihnen schwer?“
„Welchen Schritt möchten Sie noch einmal erklärt bekommen?“
„Wir halten fest, welches Alltagsziel wir gemeinsam besprochen haben.“
For language practice, a partner plays the patient, answers freely and asks about a term. Explain it and return to the agreed goal. You practise questions, explanations and listening together in a realistic exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Which questions help in an initial physiotherapy conversation?
Open questions about the reason for attending, the affected movement, a daily activity and the person’s goal.
How can I explain professional terminology to a patient?
Connect the term with an understandable description of a movement or activity and ask which step the person would like explained in more detail.