Kinésithérapeute et psychologue : travailler ensemble dans le cadre d'un SESSD

The specific patient-caregiver relationship established between the home care motor disability patient and the physiotherapist exposes the latter to major emotional stress. This is because of the suffering of the object of care, the disabled body. In addition, the physiotherapy session is a prime moment for the patient to express intimate expectations. The psychologist can help the physiotherapist analyze the affects inherent in this specific healthcare relationship. A better understanding of the elements involved can be helpful in pursuing the process of effective rehabilitation while preserving the emotional stability of the physiotherapist and the patient from the potential negative effects of their special relationship. Elements involved include attachment in the patient-caregiver relationship, projection, desire for reparation, effects of representations, possible guilt feeling, the need for recognition. Collaborative work between the physiotherapist and the psychologist is presented in two clinical cases of cerebral palsy children. The exchange of view points between the physiotherapist and the psychologist illustrate the feed-in feedback aspects of thought and action in an interdisciplinary approach to care.