Article

PURPOSE: To explore and describe what physiotherapists experience they need to
know about patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) to make decisions
about intervention. METHOD: Four focus groups containing a total of 21
physiotherapists were carried out in Sweden. Interviews were transcribed and
qualitative content analysis performed. The manifest content was coded and
categorised, and a theme emerged. Extracted symptoms and signs were linked to ICF
codes. RESULT: Physiotherapists' clinical reasoning represented a broad view on
low back pain (LBP) including codes from all ICF components. The participants
argued for individualisation of intervention to a specific patient's problems. A
theme of case complexity emerged, involving three levels: easy case,
characterised by impairment in body function with close relation to specific body
structures; complex case, characterised by impairments in body function,
particular mental functions, activity limitations and participation restrictions,
particular management of activity level and very complex case, characterised by
impairments in body function, activity limitations and participation
restrictions, and contextual factors, with help-seeking behaviour as a particular
feature. CONCLUSION: The physiotherapists' clinical reasoning reflected a broad
view on patients with NSLBP, with variations related to case complexity. The use
of ICF codes contributed to understanding that the physiotherapists applied a
broad perspective on NSLBP as a health condition as well as to knowledge about
how physiotherapists' understand patients with NSLBP. Physiotherapists' use of
the ICF in clinical practice might facilitate identification and assessment of
specific patient's back pain problem as they occur in daily life and therefore be
helpful in rehabilitation planning. Findings might also have an educational
value.

Langue : ANGLAIS