title: Adult learning theory and patient education for low back pain: a national survey of physical therapists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the content and features of the patient education program provided by physical therapists for the management of an acute nonspecific low back pain condition, and to compare study results with literature recommendations with a special focus on adult learning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred survey questionnaires were mailed to a national sample of physical therapists who were asked to complete a questionnaire based on a patient case study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred sixty-four completed surveys were returned, resulting in a 44.0% response rate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicated that the patient education program provided by physical therapists can be considered relevant to adult learning theories. Features of the program, such as promoting self-care, dispelling misconceptions, and developing a collaborative relationship between physical therapist and patient, can be considered beneficial for adult learning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific to an acute low back pain condition, physical therapists in the current study provided a patient education program which draws on principles from the professional, orthopaedic, and adult education literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614-0624, USA. breese@etsu.edu
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Breese
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: French
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States