Do medical student attitudes towards patients with chronic low back pain improve during training?: a cross-sectional study

Morris, H. , Ryan, C., Lauchlan, D. and Field, M. (2012) Do medical student attitudes towards patients with chronic low back pain improve during training?: a cross-sectional study. BMC Medical Education, 12(1), p. 10. (doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-12-10)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-12-10

Abstract

<p><b>Background:</b> Health care professionals with positive attitudes towards the functional abilities of patients with low back pain are more likely to encourage activity and avoidance of rest as per recommended guidelines. This study investigated whether medical student training fosters positive attitudes towards patients with back pain and their ability to function.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> First (n = 202) and final (n = 146) year medical students at the University of Glasgow completed the Health Care Professionals' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) questionnaire. This measures attitudes of clinicians towards the functional ability of patients with back pain. A group of first (n = 62) and final year (n = 61) business students acted as non-health care controls. Attitudes were compared using two-way ANOVA with year of study and discipline of degree as independent variables.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Both year of study [F(1,465) = 39.5, p < 0.01] and discipline of degree [F(1,465) = 43.6, p < 0.01] had significant effects on total HC-PAIRS scores and there was a significant interaction effect [F(1,465) = 9.5, p < 0.01]. Medical students commenced their course with more positive attitudes than non-health care students (65.7 vs. 69.2 respectively; p < 0.01) - lower scores translating into more positive attitudes. In their final year, the difference between the two student groups had widened (56.4 vs. 65.3; p < 0.01).</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Undergraduate medical training promotes positive attitudes towards the functional ability of patients with back pain, suggesting that students may be more likely to develop an evidence-based approach to this patient group after qualification. Some adjustments to training may be warranted to encourage a more positive shift in attitudes.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Field, Dr Max and Morris, Dr Hayley
Authors: Morris, H., Ryan, C., Lauchlan, D., and Field, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
Journal Name:BMC Medical Education
ISSN:1472-6920
Published Online:19 March 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 The Authors
First Published:First published in BMC Medical Education 12(1):10
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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