A National Study of Opioid Knowledge of Physical Therapy Professionals

Authors

Shelene Thomas, Augustana UniversityFollow
John Kiesel, Indiana State UniversityFollow
Steven G. Kinney, Indiana State UniversityFollow
Isain Zapata, Rocky Vista UniversityFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Deaths from opioid overdoses persist as the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Musculoskeletal pain remains the primary symptom for opioid prescription. Physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) provide non-prescription pain management strategies to people with musculoskeletal pain. Currently, there lacks research quantifying opioid overdose management knowledge possessed by PTs, PTAs, and their respective students. The purpose of this study was to quantify opioid overdose knowledge by PTs, PTAs, and their respective students, collectively termed physical therapy professionals (PTP). Methods: The electronic survey included several demographic characteristics and the opioid overdose knowledge scale (OOKS) open from February to June 2022 in a snowball sample design. Descriptive statistics, means, frequencies and Spearman's rho’s correlations evaluated association of demographic characteristics to total mean scores of OOKS. Results: Of the 534 participants who completed the survey, OOKS score ranged from 30.63 to 32.56/out of 45. PTP who obtained additional training (n=368) in the opioid crisis within the past three years demonstrated significantly more knowledge Conclusions: This study quantifies opioid overdose knowledge of PTP at one point in time. The current study supports the notion that PTP with additional, specific opioid overdose training possess more knowledge of opioid overdose management. While additional training resulted in increased knowledge regarding managing an overdose, the majority of practicing PTs lack competency in this knowledge.

Author Bio(s)

Shelene Thomas, PT, DPT, EdD, FNAP is a Program Director of Augustana University Colorado based program. She is an APTA Geriatric Certified Specialist and serves the profession as a Commissioner for the Commission of Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) on the Candidacy Panel.

John Kiesel, PT, DPT, PhD-C is an Associate Professor and Director of Curriculum and Success at Indiana State University. He is Board certified in Orthopedics.

Steven Kinney PT, DPT, FAAOMPT is a practicing PT at Hackensack Meridian Health - Palisades Medical Center and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. Steven adjuncts for Baylor University in their Hybrid DPT program.

Isain Zapata, PhD is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Rocky Vista University, in Englewood, CO. He is a lead data analysis and biostatistician and is also the Assistant Director of Research in the Colorado Campus.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements: Maranda Birmingham, Clare McConahay, Kathryn Tiemessen, and Daya Wagh for their assistance with the data collection. Alice Davis for connecting the authors together across programs. Justin Phillips and Kourtnaye Sturgeon for their support from Overdose Lifeline, Inc.

Recommended Citation

Thomas S, Kiesel J, Kinney SG, Zapata I. A National Study of Opioid Knowledge of Physical Therapy Professionals. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Jul 28;23(3), Article 27.