A basketball player with a repeated ankle sprain returns for treatment and makes threats to leave if not helped. What would be the best response to this attention-seeking athlete?

A basketball player with a repeated ankle sprain returns for treatment and makes threats to leave if not helped. What would be the best response to this attention-seeking athlete?

• A. Set specific but reasonable time limits with the athlete per treatment session so the AT is not burned out by the patient.
• B. Agree to longer sessions to appease the patient
• C. Ignore the patient's behavior
• D. Refer to a psychologist for management of behavior

Answer: (A)

Managing attention-seeking behavior in rehabilitation hinges on clear boundaries and structured care. Setting specific but reasonable time limits for each treatment session creates a predictable, goal-directed encounter. This protects the clinician from being overwhelmed, signals to the athlete that care is finite and oriented toward progress, and helps prevent the patient from monopolizing sessions or using threats to gain more time. It also supports fair access for others and keeps the therapeutic relationship professional and consistent, which can reduce manipulation while still acknowledging the athlete’s concerns within those limits. Extending sessions to appease the athlete trains the behavior to expect more time for similar demands, which isn’t sustainable and can lead to burnout. Ignoring the behavior risks escalation and undermines safety and treatment objectives. Referring to a psychologist could be appropriate if the behavior becomes persistent or disrupts care, but establishing boundaries and a structured plan is an effective first step to address the issue directly.

Managing attention-seeking behavior in rehabilitation hinges on clear boundaries and structured care. Setting specific but reasonable time limits for each treatment session creates a predictable, goal-directed encounter. This protects the clinician from being overwhelmed, signals to the athlete that care is finite and oriented toward progress, and helps prevent the patient from monopolizing sessions or using threats to gain more time. It also supports fair access for others and keeps the therapeutic relationship professional and consistent, which can reduce manipulation while still acknowledging the athlete’s concerns within those limits. Extending sessions to appease the athlete trains the behavior to expect more time for similar demands, which isn’t sustainable and can lead to burnout. Ignoring the behavior risks escalation and undermines safety and treatment objectives. Referring to a psychologist could be appropriate if the behavior becomes persistent or disrupts care, but establishing boundaries and a structured plan is an effective first step to address the issue directly.