scholarly journals A Qualitative Investigation of Physical Therapists' Experiences and Feelings of Managing Patients With Nonspecific Low Back Pain

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 266-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Jeffrey ◽  
Nadine E. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pain Beliefs ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Therapist Communication ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

Background Physical therapists' management of patients with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) has been found to be associated with their beliefs and attitudes toward NSLBP, as well as with guideline recommendations. Greater knowledge of physical therapists' experiences and feelings of treating patients with NSLBP may help to explain these associations and increase our understanding of some of the challenges physical therapists face when treating patients with NSLBP in clinical practice. Objectives The objective of this study was to understand more about how the personal experiences and feelings of physical therapists might influence their decision making when treating patients with NSLBP. Design This was a qualitative study using a phenomenological hermeneutical approach and practitioner-as-researcher model. Methods Eleven semistructured interviews with physical therapists were conducted and analyzed using the hermeneutical circle to identify key themes relating to their experiences and feelings in treating patients with NSLBP. Results Three linked themes emerged: (1) physical therapists believe that NSLBP has an underlying mechanical and recurring nature, (2) physical therapists' attitude toward managing NSLBP is to empower patients to exercise and self-manage their pain and functional problems, and (3) physical therapists experience feelings of tension between the advice and treatment they feel is best for their patient and the patient's own beliefs and attitudes. Conclusions The experiences and feelings of physical therapists treating patients with NSLBP include conflict among their pain beliefs, attitudes, and working partnerships with patients. Treatment decisions may be influenced when physical therapists modify their beliefs and attitudes to reduce this sense of conflict. Improving physical therapist communication skills may help decrease feelings of conflict, enhance working relationships, and encourage a more consistent approach toward patients with NSLBP.

scholarly journals Predictors of Physical Therapy Clinic Performance in the Treatment of Patients With Low Back Pain Syndromes

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 989-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Resnik ◽  
Dawei Liu ◽  
Vince Mor ◽  
Dennis L Hart
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Therapist Experience ◽  
Performance Group ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Physical Therapist Assistants

Background and Purpose Little is known about organizational and service delivery factors related to quality of care in physical therapy. This study sought to identify characteristics related to differences in practice outcomes and service utilization. Subjects The sample comprised 114 outpatient clinics and 1,058 therapists who treated 16,281 patients with low back pain syndromes during the period 2000–2001. Clinics participated with the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc (FOTO) database. Methods Hierarchical linear models were used to risk adjust treatment outcomes and number of visits per treatment episode. Aggregated residual scores from these models were used to classify each clinic into 1 of 3 categories in each of 3 types of performance groups: (1) effectiveness, (2) utilization, and (3) overall performance (ie, composite measure of effectiveness and utilization). Relationships between clinic classification and the following independent variables were examined by multinomial logistic regression: years of therapist experience, number of physical therapists, ratio of physical therapists to physical therapist assistants, proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes, number of new patients per physical therapist per month, utilization of physical therapist assistants, and setting. Results Clinics that were lower utilizers of physical therapist assistants were 6.6 times more likely to be classified into the high effectiveness group compared with the low effectiveness group, 6.7 times more likely to be classified in the low utilization group compared with the high utilization group, and 12.4 times more likely to be classified in the best performance group compared with the worst performance group. Serving a higher proportion of patients with low back pain syndromes was associated with an increased likelihood of being classified in the lowest or middle group. Years of physical therapist experience was inversely associated with being classified in the middle utilization group compared with the highest utilization group. Discussion and Conclusion These findings suggest that, in the treatment of patients with low back pain syndromes, clinics that are low utilizers of physical therapist assistants are more likely to provide superior care (ie, better patient outcomes and lower service use).

scholarly journals FREQUENCY OF WORK RELATED LOW BACK PAIN AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Saima Javed ◽  
Anum Jawaid Sultan ◽  
M. Usman Khan ◽  
Maria Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Specialty Area ◽  
Work Related

To find out the frequency of work, related to Low Back Pain (LBP) among physical therapist of tertiary care hospital of Karachi. To analyze the effects of physical activity level, sub-specialty areas and Body Mass Index (BMI) on Work Related Low Back Pain (WRLBP) as well. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. The study included 265 Physical Therapist working in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Karachi. Data was collected throughpre-tested, structured and self-administered questionnaire and then,wasanalyzed on SPSS version 17. This study reported that prevalence of WRLBP was 66.4%. The rate was higher in femalephysiotherapist, that is, 42.6%. Data revealed that, 69% of respondents experienced WRLBP within 2 years of their practices. Moreover, the manual therapy was found to be the most common cause for WRLBP. No significant association was found between BMIand physical activitylevel of physical therapist, but interestingly, it was found that sub-specialty area of work was correlated with WRLBP. The rate of WRLBP has been found to be high in physical therapists due to their profession. It is therefore, required to build up an effective ergonomic strategy, strengthen training for prevention at undergraduate level in order to reduce and prevent WRLBP.

scholarly journals Physical Therapists' Evaluation of the Trunk Flexors in Patients With Low Back Pain.

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Rone-Adams ◽  
Eric Shamus ◽  
Melissa Hileman
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Chief Complaint ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Single Blind ◽  
Flexor Strength

Study Design: This study utilized a single blind design in the observation of 20 initial low back evaluations performed by physical therapists. The physical therapists were blinded to what the researchers were observing. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether or not physical therapists were quantifying the strength of trunk flexors when the patient’s chief complaint was low back pain. Background: The literature has shown that there is a relationship between back pain and decreased strength in the abdominal muscles. Therefore, it appears important for physical therapists to evaluate the abdominal muscles in patients with low back pain. Methods and Measures: Twenty physical therapists participated in the study. The researchers observed if trunk flexor strength was quantified during the initial evaluation of 20 patients with low back pain. Following the observation, each physical therapist was given a questionnaire and asked to comment on their evaluation of the trunk flexors. Results: Of the evaluations that were observed, 15% of the physical therapists evaluated the trunk flexors and 85% did not. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that therapists did not consistently quantify abdominal strength when treating patients with low back pain.

scholarly journals Work-Related Low Back Pain Among Physical Therapists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 337-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Alghadir ◽  
Hamayun Zafar ◽  
Zaheen A. Iqbal ◽  
Einas Al-Eisa
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Physical Therapist ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Work Related

Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem. Professions like physical therapy (PT), involving frequent lifting, bending, or standing, are at risk for developing LBP. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of work-related LBP and factors associated with and consequences of work-related LBP among physical therapists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered online questionnaire (i.e., demographic data, history of LBP before and after working as a physical therapist, work setting, and effect on daily activities) was sent to 600 members of the Saudi PT association. Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test. Eighty-eight percent of potential respondents completed the questionnaire. Of these, 89.65% of the therapists reported LBP after beginning their PT practice, and 35.6% reported LBP at the time of this survey. Gender, PT specialty, and duration of contact with patients were all found to be related to LBP. The prevalence of work-related LBP among physical therapist in Riyadh was high, affecting patient care and daily activities of the therapists. Both primary and secondary prevention strategies (e.g., introduce ergonomics into PT curricula, reduce therapist stress, and promote teamwork) are needed to decrease LBP among therapists, so they can effectively care for patients.

Chronic low back pain beliefs and management practices in Africa: Time for a rethink?

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Ahenkorah ◽  
Fiona Moffatt ◽  
Claire Diver ◽  
Paapa Kwesi Ampiah
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pain Beliefs

Are Positive or Negative Pain Beliefs Stronger Predictors of Treatment Outcome in Patients with Low Back Pain? Findings from the OIOC Registry

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. S213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Wertli ◽  
Marco A. Campello ◽  
Ulrike Held ◽  
Angela Lis ◽  
Sherri Weiser
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pain Beliefs

scholarly journals Implementation of Clinical Guidelines on Physical Therapy for Patients With Low Back Pain: Randomized Trial Comparing Patient Outcomes After a Standard and Active Implementation Strategy

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 544-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geertruida E Bekkering ◽  
Maurits W van Tulder ◽  
Erik JM Hendriks ◽  
Marc A Koopmanschap ◽  
Dirk L Knol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Active Strategy ◽  
Active Implementation

Abstract Background and Purpose. An active strategy was developed for the implementation of the clinical guidelines on physical therapy for patients with low back pain. The effect of this strategy on patients' physical functioning, coping strategy, and beliefs regarding their low back pain was studied. Subjects. One hundred thirteen primary care physical therapists treated a total of 500 patients. Methods. The physical therapists were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The control group received the guidelines by mail (standard passive method of dissemination). The intervention group, in contrast, received an additional active training strategy consisting of 2 sessions with education, group discussion, role playing, feedback, and reminders. Patients with low back pain, treated by the participating therapists, completed questionnaires on physical functioning, pain, sick leave, coping, and beliefs. Results. Physical functioning and pain in the 2 groups improved substantially in the first 12 weeks. Multilevel longitudinal analysis showed no differences between the 2 groups on any outcome measure during follow-up. Discussion and Conclusion. The authors found no additional benefit to applying an active strategy to implement the physical therapy guidelines for patients with low back pain. Active implementation strategies are not recommended if patient outcomes are to be improved.

scholarly journals Factors that impact functional performance of elderly with low back pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Pereira Guerra ◽  
Rosângela Corrêa Dias ◽  
Leani Souza Máximo Pereira ◽  
Luciana de Oliveira Assis ◽  
Marcella Guimarães Assis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Pain Beliefs

Abstract Introduction: Low back pain is a common condition among older adults and an important cause of disability. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between functional performance of older adults with low back pain and the following variables: sociodemographic and clinical factors, self-perceived health and back pain beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study that used data from the Back Complaints in the Elders international consortium. Information about sociodemographic factors (sex, age, marital status, formal education), clinical factors (intensity and frequency of pain, comorbidities), self-perceived health, back pain beliefs and functional performance (measured by the disability component of the Late Life Function and Disability Instrument - LLFDI) were collected through self-report. 191 older adults above 60 years with a new episode of back complaints who did not have any cognitive disorder, visual or hearing impairment, or motor disabilities participated in the study. A bivariate analysis was conducted between each independent variable and each outcome. Associations with p < 0.20 were selected for the multiple linear regression analysis, which was carried out for each LLFDI domain. Results: The multiple regression coefficients of determination were significant despite the modest magnitude. The variables related to functional performance were back beliefs, self-perceived health, formal education, pain frequency and marital status. Conclusion: These results may contribute to the expansion of health professionals’ work in the therapeutic approach of low back pain, broadening its focus beyond clinical aspects in order to value beliefs of older adults and their self-perceived health.

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