Chronic Pain Management Approaches among Spanish Physiotherapists: Influences, Practices, Barriers, and Challenges

This study evaluated Spanish physiotherapists’ orientations toward biopsychosocial and biomedical approaches in chronic pain management through a cross-sectional survey of 447 registered professionals. Validated questionnaires assessed knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Multivariate analysis of cova...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Díaz-Fernández, Angeles, Cortés-Pérez, Irene, Obrero-Gaitán, Esteban, Ortega-Martínez, Ana Raquel, Osuna-Pérez, María Catalina, Zagalaz-Anula, Noelia, Lomas-Vega, Rafael
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Murcia
Repositorio:RUJA. Repositorio Institucional de la Producción Científica de la Universidad de Jaén
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:ruja________::2d927736c5680f937dfc674688412dcd
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14090903
https://hdl.handle.net/10953/7695
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:chronic pain
physiotherapy
biopsychosocial
barriers and facilitators
615.8
Descripción
Sumario:This study evaluated Spanish physiotherapists’ orientations toward biopsychosocial and biomedical approaches in chronic pain management through a cross-sectional survey of 447 registered professionals. Validated questionnaires assessed knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) identified influential factors and ordinal regression determined the frequency of biopsychosocial application. Content analysis of open-ended responses explored barriers to biopsychosocial implementation. Over 50% of physiotherapists favored the biopsychosocial model, influenced by interdisciplinary work settings, advanced pain knowledge, and specific training. Comprehensive pain knowledge significantly impacted both biomedical and biopsychosocial orientations inversely. The biomedical approach was more prevalent among those with lower education levels and less pain knowledge, particularly at the beginning or over 20 years into their careers. Despite the theoretical preference for biopsychosocial among Spanish physiotherapists, practical application was infrequent, with only 9.8% always using it and 40.7% frequently. Self-reported confidence and skills were crucial determinants of biopsychosocial implementation frequency. Significant barriers included inadequate psychological skills (63.6%), coordination challenges (47.6%), time constraints (43.6%), patient misconceptions (34.2%), and systemic issues. These findings align with international research, highlighting the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Addressing these challenges through targeted training and systemic reforms is crucial for improving chronic pain management globally.