Comparison of attitudes and beliefs of physical therapists and primary care physicians regarding low back pain management: A cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Ahmed Alhowimel ◽  
Faris Alodibi ◽  
Mazad Alotaibi ◽  
Dalyah Alamam ◽  
Julie Fritz

BACKGROUND: The first-line contact for patients seeking care for low back pain (LBP) can potentially change the disease course. The beliefs and attitudes of healthcare providers (HCPs) can influence LBP management. Although referring patients with LBP to physical therapy is common, the first-line contact for patients with LBP in Saudi Arabia is the primary care physician (PCP). Physical therapy will soon be integrated into primary care; therefore, it is rational to compare physical therapists’ (PTs) beliefs and attitudes regarding LBP with those of PCPs. OBJECTIVE: We compared PCPs’ and PTs’ attitudes and beliefs regarding LBP management. METHODS: We employed a cross-sectional, voluntary response sample research design using the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (PABS). Participants were PTs and PCPs practicing in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: In total, 153 participants completed the PABS (111 PTs and 52 PCPs). PCPs demonstrated significantly higher PABS biomedical subscale scores than did the PTs. CONCLUSIONS: HCPs in Saudi Arabia should receive additional training to adopt a biopsychosocial approach to managing LBP. In this study, the HCPs’ treatment recommendations may not correspond with contemporary clinical guidelines. Research to facilitate the implementation of optimal professional education and training to adopt a biopsychosocial approach is an urgent priority.

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 812
Author(s):  
Ahmed Alhowimel ◽  
Faris Alodaibi ◽  
Mazyad Alotaibi ◽  
Dalyah Alamam ◽  
Julie Fritz

Background and objectives: The use of appropriate outcome measures can help guide multidimensional low back pain (LBP) management, elucidate the efficacy/effectiveness of interventions, and inform clinicians when selected targets have been achieved and this can be used for educational or research purposes. Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the use, attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs regarding patient-reported outcome measures used by healthcare practitioners practising in Saudi Arabia who are frequently involved in the healthcare of individuals with LBP. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was undertaken using a web-based survey. An electronic invitation to participate was sent to primary care physicians and physical therapists practising in Saudi Arabia. The survey included three sections: demographic data, a list of the most commonly used patient-reported outcome measures with LBP patients, and statements regarding attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about outcome measures. Results: A total of 156 practitioners participated: 45 primary care physicians and 111 physical therapists. The numeric pain rating and visual analogue scales were the outcome measures most frequently reported as being often used by both primary care physicians and physical therapists. The majority of participants reported often using 1–2 patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). While most participants indicated that they were confident at selecting the most appropriate PROM, fewer were familiar with the concept of the minimally important clinical difference. A lack of Arabic versions of PROMs was reported as a barrier to using them to assess pain. Conclusions: This study shows that, although primary care physicians and physical therapists in Saudi Arabia frequently use patient-reported outcome measures in their clinical management of patients with LBP, there is a noticeable gap in the knowledge and use of the multidimensional outcome measures for LBP management among the participants. This highlights a need for professional training on the use of standardised outcome measures related to LBP.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurício O. Magalhães ◽  
Leonardo O. P. Costa ◽  
Cristina M. N. Cabral ◽  
Luciana A. C. Machado

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Alrwaily ◽  
Fahad Alanazi

Abstract Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are rapidly rising in Saudi Arabia and considered the 3rd reason for hospital visits across the country. Despite their prevalence, the adequacy of knowledge in MSK medicine has not been assessed. The purpose of this study is to assess MSK medicine knowledge amongst healthcare providers (orthopedists, primary care physicians, and physical therapists) and medical and physical therapy students and interns.Method: In this cross-sectional study, a web-based 25-question MSK test was given to licensed physical therapists and physicians; as well as final year physical therapy and medical students and interns in Saudi Arabia. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine MSK test scores differences amongst orthopedists, primary care physicians, and physical therapists; and amongst medical and physical therapy students and interns.Results: A total of 680 participants were included (response rate is 86.7%.) The overall MSK test score was 48.2%; and the passing rate was 14%. There was a significant score difference amongst orthopedists (88.8%), primary care physicians (53.6%), and physical therapists (46.7%); F(2,431) = 38.1, p < .001). There was significant score difference amongst physical therapy students (45.3%), physical therapy interns (42.6%), medical students (52.3%) and medical interns (67.4%); F(3,242) = 10.7, p < .001).Conclusion: Except for orthopedists, the MSK medicine knowledge appears inadequate amongst healthcare providers, medical and physical therapy students and interns in Saudi Arabia. To improve knowledge in MSK medicine, increasing contents of MSK medicine in undergraduate education and postgraduate training is necessary.


Author(s):  
Pedro Augusto Simões ◽  
Luiz Miguel Santiago ◽  
Beatriz Xavier ◽  
José Augusto Simões

IntroductionDeprescribing is the process of tapering or stopping medications aiming at improving patient outcomes and optimising current therapy. Some studies have tried to identify which patients will have inappropriate medication deprescribed, but none have found any association with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, number of prescribed medications or duration of medication. Our aim was to determine Portuguese elderly patients’ attitudes and beliefs regarding medication use and their willingness to have regular medications deprescribed.Material and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in triangulation in primary care centres from mainland Portugal and its autonomous regions. We used a random sample of 386 polymedicated older adult patients who answered the questionnaire between October 2018 and February 2019. For the quantitative analysis, we used sociodemographic characteristics, clinical profile and medication. For the qualitative analysis, we studied an included open question by coding participants’ answers; common codes were grouped together. A convergent mixed methods design was used.Results74.0% expressed the belief that medicines were generally beneficial. 19.9% reported a strong belief that medicines were harmful and 33.4% that they were overused. 61.8% were against the idea of deprescribing and 24.6% were in favour of deprescription. Those against the idea had a lower education level (p = 0.006) and a higher number of self-perceived morbidities (p = 0.001) than those not against it.ConclusionsMedication benefits were accepted by the majority of patients who also were against the idea of deprescribing. It is important that doctors are aware of this reality, namely in the primary care setting, addressing the patients’ fears and beliefs and making the deprescribing process possible.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1281
Author(s):  
Sultan M. Alshahrani ◽  
Khalid Orayj ◽  
Ali M. Alqahtani ◽  
Mubarak A. Algahtany

Pregabalin is a first-line therapy for neuropathic pain and for chronic pain. It has abuse potential. This study was conducted to assess community pharmacists’ perceptions towards pregabalin abuse and misuse in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, and identify predictors and associated factors. A cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire following a self-administrative study was conducted across community pharmacies in the Aseer region (Abha, Khamis Mushait, Mahayel, Sarat Abeeda, Ahad-Rufaida, and Bishah). A total of 206 respondents from community pharmacists participated in the study. Over the last six months, 136 respondents (66.0%) suspected pregabalin abuse in community pharmacies; male dominance in pregabalin abusers was also recorded (n = 165, 80.1%). Additionally, 40 (19.4%) respondents stated that a prescription was not issued for pregabalin demands. Over half (61.7%) of community pharmacists recorded an increased change in pregabalin abuse compared to the previous year. This is the first study to explore pharmacists’ perceptions in the community of the Aseer region towards customers’ misuse and abuse of pregabalin. Further monitoring and regulations on the prescribing and procurement of pregabalin are needed to avoid abuse.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. S55
Author(s):  
M. Alshehri ◽  
H. Alzahrani ◽  
M. Alotaibi ◽  
A. Alhowimel ◽  
O. Khoja

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