The Efficacy of a 6-month Pain Mentoring Program on Pain Knowledge, Beliefs, and Confidence within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: Pain complaints are one of the primary reasons patients seek musculoskeletal care in the U. S. Veterans Health Administration. While research surrounding the pain experience has rapidly evolved, practicing clinicians often struggle to keep up with evidence-based recommendations and guidelines. The purpose of this project was to explore the efficacy of a 6-month education and mentoring program on physical therapist (PT) and PT assistant pain knowledge and confidence in providing evidence-based pain care. Materials and Methods: A 6-month education and mentoring program occurred across three sites with a focus on biopsychosocial pain care principles and treatment based on the mechanism-based classifications of pain. Data collection occurred at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to include pain knowledge (revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire [rNPQ]), health-care attitudes and beliefs (Health Care Providers Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale [HC-PAIRS]), self-reported confidence addressing program objectives and self-reported satisfaction in assessing and treating patients with persistent pain. Results and Conclusion: Physical therapy professionals (n = 15) demonstrated improved scores on rNPQ and HC-PAIRS with medium effect size at 3 months (d = 0.57; d = 0.73) and 6 months (d = 0.71; d = 0.59). Self-reported confidence addressing program objectives demonstrated improvement across all 13 objectives from baseline to 3 months (0.8 mean diff) and 6 months (1.2 mean diff). The findings from this project support the efficacy of a 6-month education and mentorship program for improving pain knowledge, health-care attitudes and beliefs, and self-rated confidence and satisfaction in treating patients experiencing persistent pain among practicing physical therapy professionals.