Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
First-contact physiotherapists' perceived competency in a new model of care for low back pain patients: a mixed
Amélie Kechichian1,2,3, Elsa Viain2, Thomas Lathière1,2
1THEMAS Team, TIMC-IMAG Laboratory, UMR CNRS-UGA, Grenoble - France.
Background:
A new advanced practice model of care enables French physiotherapists to perform medical acts for low back pain (LBP) patients as first-contact physiotherapists (FCPs).
Objective:
The aim of this study is to determine the self-perceived competency of FCPs and to further explore factors underpinning this feeling.
Methods:
A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was conducted. A survey was used to self-assess the perceived competency of FCPs in performing medical tasks. Semi-structured interviews were then performed to explore determining factors of perceived competency. Inductive thematic analysis was performed.
Results:
Nine FCPs answered the survey and were interviewed (mean age 40.1, standard deviation [SD]: ±10.0). FCPs felt very competent with making medical diagnosis (3.44/4, SD: ±0.53), analgesic prescription (3.11, SD: ±0.78) and referring onward to physiotherapy (3.78, SD: ±0.55). They did not feel competent with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescription (2.78, SD: ±0.67) and issuing sick leave certificate (2.67, SD: ±1.0). The main identified influencing factors were previous FCPs' experience, training, knowledge, collaboration with family physicians, high responsibility and risk management associated with decision-making.
Conclusion:
French FCPs appeared to have the necessary skills to directly manage LBP patients without medical referral. Future training focusing on analgesic prescription and issuing sick leave certificate is however needed.
