Could a simple educational intervention modify beliefs about whiplash? A preliminary study among professionals working in a rehabilitation ward.
Could a simple educational intervention modify beliefs about whiplash? A preliminary study among professionals working in a rehabilitation ward.


OBJECTIVE
Whiplash and its consequences remain an alarming clinical and social problem, and psychosocial factors could play a role. We aimed to translate and assess the effects on beliefs of an evidence-based educational booklet on whiplash-associated disorders among professionals who work in a rehabilitation ward.


METHODS
After translation/back-translation of the English version of The Whiplash Book, we undertook a before-and-after prospective study. The main outcome assessment was final score on the whiplash belief questionnaire (WBQ) involving nine questions assessing beliefs and attitudes about the consequences of whiplash rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from "completely agree" to "complete disagree." Final scores range from 9 to 45, low scores indicating positive beliefs. Demographic, educational and professional data, as well as personal medical history of neck pain, were recorded. Acceptability of the booklet was rated on a 10-point scale and by open questions.


RESULTS
Among the 50 professionals included in the study, 48 completed the questionnaire. Whiplash beliefs tended to be positive at first assessment (WBQ score 23.37+/-6.45). Reading the whiplash booklet significantly improved beliefs (14.27+/-4.39; P<0.05). Global evaluation of the booklet on a 10-point scale was good (8.13+/-1.05) as was acceptability (8.13+/-1.05).


CONCLUSIONS
After reading a booklet about whiplash translated into French, beliefs about the consequences of whiplash were changed for the better in this sample of French-speaking healthy professionals working in a rehabilitation ward. This simple educational intervention translated into French could be used for education and for ameliorating beliefs about the consequences of whiplash among health care professionals and the public.
Coudeyre
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Centre de médecine physique et réadaptation Notre-Dame, 4, avenue Joseph-Claussat, BP 86, 63404 Chamalières cedex, France. manucoudeyre@mageos.com
Demaille-Wlodyka
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S
Poizat
S
S
Burton
K
K
Hamonet
M A
MA
Revel
M
M
Poiraudeau
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010174:Pamphlets; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*