Chronic low back pain: barriers and enablers of exercise-based clinicians to implementing evidence-based practice

INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of years lived with disability. Exercise, integrated with a biopsychosocial framework, is a first-line treatment for CLBP. Exercise physiologists and physiotherapists are allied health clinicians trained to provide exercise treatment through evidence-based practice (EBP). Research indicates the implementation of EBP remains low, impacting the quality of care provided to patients, which can perpetuate the impacts of CLBP. Given the role of exercise physiologists and physiotherapists in CLBP treatment, it is necessary to investigate their perceived barriers and enablers to implementing best quality care through EBP. METHODS Participants completed a pre-interview questionnaire, which gathered data about demographics, further education, biomedical/biopsychosocial beliefs and two patient vignettes. This data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Semi-structured interviews investigated participants’ barriers and enablers to implementing EBP. This data was analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Exercise physiologists and physiotherapists misunderstand the definition of EBP. Barriers and enablers existed at clinician-patient, workplace, and system levels, often overlapping. Barriers comprised of unpacking inaccurate messages from other healthcare professionals, patient expectations and beliefs, profit-focused business models, insufficient clinician education, and inadequate funding. Enablers encompassed upskilling with further education, a collaborative community, clinician autonomy, extended consultations, and support from other healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS Multi-level barriers and enablers affect exercise physiologists and physiotherapists use of EBP. Similar barriers and enablers between professions suggest systemic influences outweigh profession-specific influences. To improve the implementation of EBP, both clinician factors and deeper systemic factors must be addressed.