The Beliefs of Third-Level Healthcare Students towards Low-Back Pain

Objectives. Beliefs held by healthcare providers are part of the complex recovery of a patient with low-back pain (LBP). The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes and beliefs of Irish university healthcare students towards LBP. Methods. Physiotherapy (n = 107), medicine (n = 63), nursing, and midwifery (n = 101) students completed the survey. Demographic data, LBP related beliefs [Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire physical subsection (FABQ-PA)] were collected. Results. Two hundred and seventy-one students responded (response rate 29%). Student physiotherapists had significantly lower FABQ (P < 0.001) scores than medical (95% CI [-5.492, -1.406]) and nursing students (95% CI [-7.718, -22.307]). Physiotherapy students had significantly higher BBQ scores (P < 0.0001) than medical (95% CI [1.490, 5.406]) and nursing students (95% CI [6.098, 11.283]). Beliefs of physiotherapy and medical students were significantly better among fourth-year year than first-year students (P < 0.0001) but were not significantly different for nursing students (P = 0.820 for FABQ and P = 0.810 for BBQ). Conclusions. Physiotherapy students had more positive beliefs towards LBP than medical and nursing students. Physiotherapy and medical students' beliefs towards LBP significantly improved over the course of their studies.