To explore whether participating in the BEEP trial training programme (ISRCTN93634563) increased physiotherapists' self-confidence, and changed their intended clinical behaviour, regarding exercise for knee pain in older adults.
Before/after training programme evaluation. Physiotherapists were asked to complete a questionnaire before the BEEP trial training programme, immediately afterwards, and 12-18 months later (post-intervention delivery in the BEEP trial). The questionnaire included a case vignette and associated clinical management questions. Questionnaire responses were compared over time and between physiotherapists trained to deliver each intervention within the BEEP trial.
Primary care.
53 physiotherapists who completed the BEEP trial training programme.
NA MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1. Self-confidence in the diagnosis and management of knee pain in older adults, 2. intended clinical behaviour measured by a case vignette and associated clinical management questions.
52 (98%) physiotherapists returned the pre-training questionnaire, 44 (85%) and 39 (74%) returned the post-training and post-intervention questionnaires respectively. Post-training, self-confidence in managing older adults with knee pain increased, and intended clinical behaviour regarding exercise for knee pain in older adults appeared more in line with clinical guidelines. However, not all positive changes were maintained in the longer-term.
Participating in the BEEP trial training programme increased physiotherapists' self-confidence and changed their intended clinical behaviour regarding exercise for knee pain but by 12-18 months later, some of these positive changes were lost. This suggests that brief training programmes are useful, but additional strategies are likely to be needed to successfully maintain changes in clinical behaviour over time.