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

• 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.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Behavior

Biopsychosocial model

Clinical recommendations

Education

Guideline adherence

Pain management

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)