Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Physical Therapists' Early Initiation of Patient Education in Acute Low Back Pain Patients

Authors

Karen Noiman, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Karen Noiman. 1998. Physical Therapists' Early Initiation of Patient Education in Acute Low Back Pain Patients. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (142)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/142.

Abstract

Purpose: To ascertain when physical therapists initiated patient education during the treatment of acute low back pain and to determine if they believed early education modified treatment outcomes.

Subjects: 400 surveys were mailed to 200 licensed physical therapists in New York and 200 licensed physical therapists in Florida.

Methods: A survey containing 16 questions on demographics and on experiences and beliefs of the physical therapists with regards to initiating patient education.

Results: Frequency distributions and percentages were calculated for all questions in the survey. An overwhelming number (84%) of physical therapists initiated patient education during the initial visit. Cross-Tab analysis revealed 61% of the physical therapists who initiated patient education during the first visit also reported the number of visits did not influence when they initiated patient education (p

Conclusion: Physical therapists are providing early initiation of patient education because they believe it is more effective for patient outcomes. Furthermore, early initiation of patient education is not influenced by the reforming health care system.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy