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.

CHRONIC pain & psychology; PHYSICAL therapy students; LUMBAR pain; KNEE osteoarthritis; BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL model; COMPARATIVE studies; PHYSICAL activity; HEALTH attitudes; QUESTIONNAIRES; STUDENT attitudes; EXERCISE therapy; SPINE

BELGIUM; NETHERLANDS

• In 2020, students' beliefs regarding chronic pain were more biopsychosocial. • In 2020, students' guideline adherence was higher except for work, it remained low. • 4th year students have stronger biopsychosocial beliefs than 2nd year students. • Students' beliefs regarding chronic pain differed significantly between institutions. • Actions are needed to improve students' attitudes and beliefs regarding chronic pain. In 2013, physical therapy students demonstrated low guideline-adherent recommendations regarding chronic low back pain (CLBP) for spinal pathology, activity, and work. To assess the differences in physical therapy students' attitudes, beliefs, and adherence to guideline recommendations regarding CLBP and knee osteoarthritis between 2013 and 2020. 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. 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. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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