Psychologic aspects of athletic rehabilitation.

Physicians and sports medicine professionals are, by the interpersonal nature of their work, professional communicators. Communication, being multidimensional, requires attentiveness not only to proper outward health practices but also to the internal response of the patient. The format described here and outlined in Table 1 gives a practical model to use, so that as treatment proceeds, patients are influenced at the emotional level with calm, with direction, and with reassurance. Lastly, these guidelines should be used to revise or complement what is already being done. They are not meant to replace a program that is already established.