Confidence and knowledge of Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students in managing patellofemoral pain

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q1 REHABILITATION

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice Pub Date : 2025-03-08 DOI:10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103305

Natanael P. Batista , David M. Bazett-Jones , Marina C. Waiteman

{"title":"Confidence and knowledge of Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students in managing patellofemoral pain","authors":"Natanael P. Batista , David M. Bazett-Jones , Marina C. Waiteman","doi":"10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103305","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Previous research has explored clinicians' knowledge and confidence in managing patellofemoral pain (PFP), highlighting gaps in alignment with current evidence. However, there is limited research on Brazilian clinicians and physiotherapy students in this context.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To evaluate the knowledge and confidence of Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students in managing PFP and identify barriers to accessing scientific resources.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional online survey study.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We electronically recruited Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. The Qualtrics survey included Likert-based and open-ended questions on demographics, confidence in PFP management, and knowledge related to PFP diagnosis, risk factors, prognosis, and treatment. Responses were compared to current evidence, and between-group differences were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results/findings</h3><div>A total of 46 physiotherapists and 51 students participated. Most physiotherapists were confident in managing PFP, but students were not. While most physiotherapists (93.4%) and students (86.3%) correctly defined PFP, only physiotherapists aligned with evidence-based diagnostic criteria. Both groups identified quadriceps weakness as a PFP risk factor but incorrectly cited hip weakness and dynamic knee valgus. Both groups correctly endorsed hip and knee exercises, physical activity modification, and load management as treatment strategies; however, 63.1% of physiotherapists incorrectly recommend knee brace for pain relief. Participants reported barriers to accessing scientific resources, including language, access difficulties, and searching knowledge gaps.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Brazilian physiotherapists reported high confidence and accurate knowledge in managing PFP, but still held inaccurate beliefs about its risk factors and prognosis. Physiotherapy students demonstrated a need for further education. Important barriers limit their ability to stay informed on current evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56036,"journal":{"name":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","volume":"77 ","pages":"Article 103305"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Musculoskeletal Science and Practice","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468781225000530","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"REHABILITATION","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Previous research has explored clinicians' knowledge and confidence in managing patellofemoral pain (PFP), highlighting gaps in alignment with current evidence. However, there is limited research on Brazilian clinicians and physiotherapy students in this context.

Objectives

To evaluate the knowledge and confidence of Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students in managing PFP and identify barriers to accessing scientific resources.

Design

Cross-sectional online survey study.

Method

We electronically recruited Brazilian physiotherapists and physiotherapy students. The Qualtrics survey included Likert-based and open-ended questions on demographics, confidence in PFP management, and knowledge related to PFP diagnosis, risk factors, prognosis, and treatment. Responses were compared to current evidence, and between-group differences were analyzed.

Results/findings

A total of 46 physiotherapists and 51 students participated. Most physiotherapists were confident in managing PFP, but students were not. While most physiotherapists (93.4%) and students (86.3%) correctly defined PFP, only physiotherapists aligned with evidence-based diagnostic criteria. Both groups identified quadriceps weakness as a PFP risk factor but incorrectly cited hip weakness and dynamic knee valgus. Both groups correctly endorsed hip and knee exercises, physical activity modification, and load management as treatment strategies; however, 63.1% of physiotherapists incorrectly recommend knee brace for pain relief. Participants reported barriers to accessing scientific resources, including language, access difficulties, and searching knowledge gaps.

Conclusions

Brazilian physiotherapists reported high confidence and accurate knowledge in managing PFP, but still held inaccurate beliefs about its risk factors and prognosis. Physiotherapy students demonstrated a need for further education. Important barriers limit their ability to stay informed on current evidence.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice Health Professions-Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

CiteScore

4.10

自引率

8.70%

发文量

152

审稿时长

48 days

期刊介绍： Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, international journal of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, is a peer-reviewed international journal (previously Manual Therapy), publishing high quality original research, review and Masterclass articles that contribute to improving the clinical understanding of appropriate care processes for musculoskeletal disorders. The journal publishes articles that influence or add to the body of evidence on diagnostic and therapeutic processes, patient centered care, guidelines for musculoskeletal therapeutics and theoretical models that support developments in assessment, diagnosis, clinical reasoning and interventions.