The Knowledge of Low Back Pain Management Between Physical Therapists and Family Practice Physicians

Department

Physical Therapy

Document Type

Article

Publication Source

Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy

Publication Date

2018-12

Volume

26

Issue

5

First Page

264

Last Page

271

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare knowledge in managing patients with low back pain (LBP) between physical therapists and family practice physicians.

Methods: Seventy-three physical therapists and 30 family practice physicians completed standardized examinations assessing knowledge, attitudes, the usefulness of clinical practiceguidelines, and management strategies for patients with LBP. Beliefs of physical therapistsand family practice physicians about LBP were compared using relative risks and independent t-tests.

Results: Scores related to knowledge, attitudes, and the usefulness of clinical practiceguidelines were generally similar between the groups. In addition, there was no difference between the groups for knowledge regarding optimal management strategies for patients with LBP. However, physical therapists were less likely to have difficulty assessing motivation levels of patients with LBP compared to family practice physicians (64.6% vs 26.7%; relative risk: 2.41 [95% confidence interval: 1.30–4.48] and physical therapists were less likely to agree that interventions by health care providers have little positive effect on the natural history of acute LBP (17.8% vs. 50.0%; relative risk: 0.36 [95% confidence interval: 0.19–0.66]).

Discussion: The results of this study may have implications for third-party payers and health care administrators regarding the utilization of physical therapists in the management of patients with LBP in expanded scopes of practice, including direct access and potential placement in primary care clinics.

Keywords

low back pain, direct access practice, management strategies

DOI

10.1080/10669817.2018.1500772

https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2018.1500772

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS