Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition with substantial associated disability and costs, best understood using a biopsychosocial approach. Research demonstrates LBP beliefs are important, with biomedical beliefs influencing practitioner's management. LBP beliefs can be inconsistent amongst medical students. The aim of this study was to investigate graduate medical student's beliefs of LBP and what influences them. A cross sectional study of phase one and phase three students at the University of Warwick was conducted. Participants were recruited via voluntary response sampling. A survey investigated LBP beliefs, utilising the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and Health Care Providers’ Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS). Qualitative data was collected on what influences beliefs about the causes and management of LBP, which was analysed descriptively using thematic analysis. Fifty-seven students completed the questionnaire. Median BBQ and HC-PAIRS scores were consistent between both year groups. Three main themes emerged from the qualitative data: Sources of influence, influence of personal experience and influence of medical education. Participants discussed single or multiple sources influencing their beliefs. Another main theme was the influence of experiencing LBP personally or through discussions with others. The final main theme described the influence of medical education.Purposes and background
Method and results
