title: Inter-Professional Practices of Private-Sector Physiotherapists for Low Back Pain Management: Who, How, and When?
abstract: Purpose:Although there have been increasing demands for health care providers to take part in inter-professional practices in recent years, very little attention has been paid to the actualization of such practices in the private sector. This study describes private-sector physiotherapists' inter-professional practices regarding low back pain (LBP) management and identifies organizational and provider-level variables associated with the intensity of such practices.Method:A total of 327 randomly selected physiotherapists were surveyed in the province of Quebec. Data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression analyses.Results:Physiotherapists reported frequent interactions with other physiotherapists (daily/weekly for 52.6%), family physicians (51.0%), and physiotherapy (PT) assistants (45.2%), but infrequent interactions with psychologists (3.6%), neurosurgeons (0.9%), and chiropractors (0.3%). Frequently reported means of interactions were written and oral messages sent through clients (55.1% and 24.1%, respectively), face-to-face unplanned discussions (41.9%), and faxed or mailed letters (23.2%). Variables associated with the intensity of inter-professional practices (mean of 6.7 [SD1.7] out of 10 on the Intensity of Interprofessional Practices Questionnaire for Private Sector Physiotherapists) were related to physiotherapists' clientele, social activities with other providers, and perceptions of inter-professional practices as well as organizational models, vision, and provision of PT training.Conclusions:There is room to improve inter-professional practices with private-sector physiotherapists involved in managing LBP. Targets for action include physiotherapists and their workplaces.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration; Université Laval.
authors.forename: Kadija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Perreault
authors.affiliation: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration; Université Laval; Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec City.
authors.forename: Clermont E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dionne
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University; Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux, Montreal.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossignol
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poitras
authors.affiliation: Université Laval; Institut universitaire de formation et de recherche en soins, UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morin
keywords: inter-professional relations; low back pain; private sector; survey