This project will be a quasi-experimental cross-sectional case-control design to explore differences in knowledge and beliefs in managing patients with LBP between physical therapists and physicians. Subjects will be invited to participate in the study, which will involve completing an education and experience survey and an examination that assesses their level of knowledge in managing nonspecific LBP.
Physical therapists and family practice physicians will be invited to participate in this study through air mail. Individuals will be contacted based upon current professional air mail distribution lists that will be purchased through the Private Practice section of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Family …show more content…
The examination developed by Buchbinder et al5 consists of 11 questions. Five questions assess participant knowledge about the management of LBP, 4 questions assess attitudes toward patients with LBP, and 2 questions assess the usefulness of clinical practice guidelines. The questions will be phrased as statements and responses were on a 5-point Likert scale that included “strongly agree”, “agree”, “uncertain”, “disagree”, and “strongly disagree”. For questions on knowledge, the “correct” responses will be based on the most recent systematic reviews of the evidence for treatment of patients with LBP. The percentage of respondents who answer knowledge questions correctly will be determined by adding those who answered either “agree” and “strongly agree” or “disagree” and “strongly disagree” depending on the wording of the question. A response of “uncertain” will be coded as being incorrect. For questions concerning attitudes and guidelines, a response of either “agree” and “strongly agree” will be considered to be correct and the percentage of correct responses will determined in the same way. Correct responses will graded in the same manner as Buchbinder et …show more content…
In accordance with these instructions, subjects will then complete the examination that assesses their level of knowledge in managing nonspecific LBP.
Administration of the LBP knowledge examination will be preceded by a demographic survey that queries physical therapists and physicians with respect to their school, experience, licensure status, board certification, practice environment, etc. It is expected that examinees will require approximately 20 minutes to complete the entire
Physical therapists and family practice physicians will be invited to participate in this study through air mail. Individuals will be contacted based upon current professional air mail distribution lists that will be purchased through the Private Practice section of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Academy of Family …show more content…
The examination developed by Buchbinder et al5 consists of 11 questions. Five questions assess participant knowledge about the management of LBP, 4 questions assess attitudes toward patients with LBP, and 2 questions assess the usefulness of clinical practice guidelines. The questions will be phrased as statements and responses were on a 5-point Likert scale that included “strongly agree”, “agree”, “uncertain”, “disagree”, and “strongly disagree”. For questions on knowledge, the “correct” responses will be based on the most recent systematic reviews of the evidence for treatment of patients with LBP. The percentage of respondents who answer knowledge questions correctly will be determined by adding those who answered either “agree” and “strongly agree” or “disagree” and “strongly disagree” depending on the wording of the question. A response of “uncertain” will be coded as being incorrect. For questions concerning attitudes and guidelines, a response of either “agree” and “strongly agree” will be considered to be correct and the percentage of correct responses will determined in the same way. Correct responses will graded in the same manner as Buchbinder et …show more content…
In accordance with these instructions, subjects will then complete the examination that assesses their level of knowledge in managing nonspecific LBP.
Administration of the LBP knowledge examination will be preceded by a demographic survey that queries physical therapists and physicians with respect to their school, experience, licensure status, board certification, practice environment, etc. It is expected that examinees will require approximately 20 minutes to complete the entire