Physiotherapists partially recognised cognitive , psychological and social factors in people with LBP .
Physiotherapists expressed a preference for dealing with the more mechanical aspects of LBP , and some stigmatised the behaviours suggestive of cognitive , psychological and social contributions to LBP .
Physiotherapists perceived that neither their initial training , nor currently available professional development training , instilled them with the requisite skills and confidence to successfully address and treat the multidimensional pain presentations seen in LBP .
QUESTION What are physiotherapists ' perceptions about identifying and managing the cognitive , psychological and social factors that may act as barriers to recovery for people with low back pain ( LBP ) ?
How does the self-reported clinical management of patients with low back pain relate to the attitudes and beliefs of health care practitioners? A survey of UK general practitioners and physiotherapists
& NA ; Guidelines for the management of low back pain ( LBP ) have existed for many years , but adherence to these by health care practitioners ( HCPs ) remains suboptimal . The aim of this study was to measure the attitudes , beliefs and reported clinical behaviour of UK physiotherapists ( PTs ) and general practitioners ( GPs ) about LBP and to explore the associations between these . A cross‐sectional postal survey of GPs ( n = 2000 ) and PTs ( n = 2000 ) was conducted that included the  Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale ( PABT.PT )  , and a vignette of a  patient with non‐specific LBP ( NSLBP )  with questions asking about recommendations for work , activity and bedrest . Data from 1022 respondents ( 442 GPs and 580 PTs ) who had recently treated patients with LBP were analysed . Although the majority of HCPs reported providing advice for the vignette patient that was broadly in line with guideline recommendations , 28 % reported they would advise this patient to remain off work . Work advice was significantly related to the PABS.PT scores with higher biomedical ( F1,986 = 77.5 , p < 0.0001 ) and lower behavioural ( F1,981 = 31.9 , p < 0.001 ) scores associated with advice to remain off work . We have demonstrated that the attitudes and reported practice behaviour of UK GPs and PTs for patients with NSLBP are diverse . Many HCPs held the belief that LBP necessitates some avoidance of activities and work . The attitudes and beliefs of these HCPs were associated with their self‐reported clinical behaviour regarding advice about work . Future studies need to investigate whether approaches aim ed at modifying these HCP factors can lead to improved patient outcomes
Physiotherapists partially recognised cognitive , psychological and social factors in people with LBP .
Physiotherapists expressed a preference for dealing with the more mechanical aspects of LBP , and some stigmatised the behaviours suggestive of cognitive , psychological and social contributions to LBP .
Physiotherapists perceived that neither their initial training , nor currently available professional development training , instilled them with the requisite skills and confidence to successfully address and treat the multidimensional pain presentations seen in LBP .
QUESTION What are physiotherapists ' perceptions about identifying and managing the cognitive , psychological and social factors that may act as barriers to recovery for people with low back pain ( LBP ) ?