Comparing physical therapy students' attitudes and beliefs regarding chronic low back pain and knee osteoarthritis: an international multi-institutional comparison between 2013 and 2020 academic years

Wouter Munneke, Christophe Demoulin, Nathalie Roussel, Marijke Leysen, C Paul Van Wilgen, Laurent Pitance, Roland R Reezigt, Lennard P Voogt, Wim Dankaerts, Lieven Danneels, Albère J A Köke, Wilfried Cools, Margot De Kooning, Jo Nijs

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: In 2013, physical therapy students demonstrated low guideline-adherent recommendations regarding chronic low back pain (CLBP) for spinal pathology, activity, and work.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the differences in physical therapy students' attitudes, beliefs, and adherence to guideline recommendations regarding CLBP and knee osteoarthritis between 2013 and 2020.

METHODS: In 2013 and 2020, second and fourth-year physical therapy students were recruited from 6 Belgian and 2 Dutch institutions. Attitudes and beliefs regarding CLBP and knee OA were evaluated using the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS-PT), the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS), and a questionnaire regarding therapeutic exercise and knee osteoarthritis. A clinical vignette was used to measure guideline-adherent recommendations regarding spinal pathology, activity, and work.

RESULTS: In 2013, 927 second-year and 695 fourth-year students; in 2020, 695 second-year and 489 fourth-year students; were recruited to participate in the study. Compared to 2013, students had less biomedical and stronger biopsychosocial attitudes and beliefs regarding CLBP, more guideline-adherent recommendations for activity, and more biopsychosocial beliefs regarding the benefits of exercise for patients with knee osteoarthritis in both the second and fourth year. Only fourth-year students in 2020 scored significantly better on HC-PAIRS and guideline-adherent recommendation relating to spinal pathology. No differences were found regarding work recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS: Between 2013 and 2020, physical therapy students made a positive shift towards a more biopsychosocial approach to CLBP and knee osteoarthritis management. Guideline-adherent recommendations for CLBP concerning activity improved, however, concerning work and spinal pathology, it remained low.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100592
Number of pages <span style="color:red"p> <font size="1.5"> ✽ </span> </font>9
JournalBrazilian Journal of Physical Therapy
Volume28
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Feb 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank all institutions for their participation in this study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Associação Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação em Fisioterapia

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