Use of low-back pain guidelines by occupational therapists: A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators

Objective: Identify barriers and facilitators related to the use of low-back pain guidelines as perceived by occupational therapists (OTs). Methods and participants: A qualitative approach was used. Nine OTs with varied characteristics were randomly selected. Participants were asked to use the guidelines with at least two clients. Semi-structured interviews were done to identify barriers and facilitators related to use. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed. Results: Participants agreed with the guidelines, found them compatible with their current practice, and believed using them would help in preventing persistent disability. Some questioned if their work organization, based on group therapy, would limit their use of the guidelines. Because of the guidelines' biopsychosocial perspective, they anticipated problems regarding client expectations and collaboration with other health professionals. Conclusions: Participating OTs raised few barriers related to them. Barriers were mostly related to client expectations, work organization and peers. It appears the guidelines would be easily implemented by OTs, but environmental elements could limit this.