The impact of a brief online education intervention on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of qualified physiotherapists about chronic low back pain: Pre- and post-intervention survey

Abstract

Background: A shift from biomedical towards biopsychosocial approaches is increasingly recommended in literature for the management of non-specific low back pain (LBP). The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of clinicians may, however, serve as a barrier to effective management. Objectives: Our study investigated the impact of an online education programme on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists about chronic LBP. Method: Qualified physiotherapists (n = 536) attended a webinar series based on risk stratification and the biopsychosocial model of care for LBP. Participants completed the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists and Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire before and after. Data were compared using descriptive analysis, dependent t-tests and Pearson correlation analyses. Results: Post-intervention, biomedical orientation decreased significantly (53.74 ± 12.80 to 43.04 ± 11.63; p < 0.001), while biopsychosocial orientation increased (35.52 ± 4.65 to 39.62 ± 4.70; p < 0.001). Pain neurophysiology knowledge improved significantly (NPQ: 10.19 ± 1.78 to 11.04 ± 1.64; p < 0.001). Improvements in the biopsychosocial orientation of participants were found to correlate with a notable reduction in biomedical orientation post-intervention (r = −0.234, p = 0.000). There was also a significant positive correlation between improvements in biopsychosocial beliefs and pain neurophysiology knowledge post-intervention (r = 0.152, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Online educational interventions may enhance physiotherapists’ knowledge and shift attitudes and beliefs towards a biopsychosocial treatment orientation for LBP. Clinical implications: Incorporating concise, theory-informed online educational modules into continuing professional development may bridge knowledge gaps and facilitate the translation of biopsychosocial pain management strategies into routine physiotherapy practice.