Physiotherapists' attitudes and beliefs about self-management as part of their management for low back pain.

Novel findings from this research demonstrate examples of attitudes and beliefs that determine when and how self-management for people with LBP is implemented. Due to these attitudes and beliefs, physiotherapists may not consistently provide supported self-management for people with LBP. Participants had good understanding of LBP but lacked a contemporary knowledge of the natural history and tended to apportion responsibility for persistent or recurrent episodes to the person with LBP. Physiotherapists should be encouraged to assimilate more contemporary research evidence into their expectations of recovery for LBP. Further education about the role of physiotherapists in supporting self-management, the core components of self-management, including engagement, and reflection upon individual unconscious bias should be encouraged.