Factors influencing physiotherapists' attitudes and beliefs toward chronic low back pain: Impact of a care network belonging

Objectives: To assess the attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists (PTs) regarding the management of chronic LBP and to investigate the factors which influence them. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the French Loire Valley region by a questionnaire sent to the private PTs between June and September 2014. Demographic data and modalities of practices were collected in association with the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (PABS) which is a specific self-administered questionnaire designed to assess the "biomedical" or "behavioral" (i.e., biopsychosocial) management orientation of PTs toward chronic LBP. Results: One hundred and sixty-eight of the 704 PTs entirely completed the questionnaire (63% of men, 58% >40 years of age) of whom 15 were involved in a LBP care network. A higher biomechanical score was observed with a higher age and lower with full-time employment, less than 20 years of length of practice and a recent LBP-specific training (p < 0.005). Belonging to a LBP care network was associated with a lower biomedical score (p < 0.01) and a higher biopsychosocial score (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Belonging to a LBP care network, which implies closer collaboration with multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams, was the most significant factor associated with higher biopsychosocial beliefs in PTs toward chronic LBP management.