Article

The importance of the biopsychosocial model in assessment and
management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions is recognized. Physical
therapists have been encouraged to develop psychologically informed practice.
Little is known about the process of physical therapists' learning and delivering
of psychological interventions within the practice context. OBJECTIVE: The aim of
this study was to investigate physical therapists' experiences and perspectives
of a cognitive-behavioral-informed training and intervention process as part of a
randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving adults with painful knee
osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A qualitative design was used. Participants were physical
therapists trained to deliver pain coping skills training (PCST). METHODS: Eight
physical therapists trained to deliver PCST were interviewed by telephone at 4
time points during the 12-month RCT period. Interviews were audiorecorded,
transcribed verbatim into computer-readable files, and analyzed using Framework
Analysis. RESULTS: Thematic categories identified were: training, experience
delivering PCST, impact on general clinical practice, and perspectives on PCST
and physical therapist practice. Physical therapists reported positive
experiences with PCST and program delivery. They thought that their participation
in the RCT had enhanced their general practice. Although some components of the
PCST program were familiar, the therapists found delivering the program was quite
different from regular practice. Physical therapists believed the PCST program, a
3- to 4-day workshop followed by formal mentoring and performance feedback from a
psychologist for 3 to 6 months and during the RCT, was critical to their ability
to effectively deliver the PCST intervention. They identified a number of
challenges in delivering PCST in their normal practice. CONCLUSION: Physical
therapists can be trained to confidently deliver a PCST program. The physical
therapists in this study believed that training enhanced their clinical practice.
Comprehensive training and mentoring by psychologists was crucial to ensure
treatment fidelity.

Langue : ANGLAIS