Education matters when it comes to pain: a cross-sectional study of self-reported pain competencies among physiotherapists

The increasing burden of chronic pain raises demands for improved competencies for physiotherapists. Research suggests that postgraduate training and improved prelicensure pain curriculum might enhance physiotherapists skills in the management of people with chronic pain. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine self-reported pain competences among physiotherapists, and to look for potential impact of experience and education. Competencies were evaluated using an online questionnaire based on The European Diploma in Pain Physiotherapy curriculum (EDPP) using the approach of Bloom's taxonomy. Questions reflected all sections of the curriculum for the EDPP. Total score of the EDPP-questionnaire was used as the primary outcome. Responses were grouped by years of professional experience (<2, 2-7, >7 years) and level of education (entry-level, professional courses, MSc-level or higher). The validity of the hypothesis was analyzed using a two-factor ANOVA. 369 physiotherapists were eligible for analysis. A large main effect of education was found, ω² = 0.149 (95 % CI: 0.085-0.215), p < 0.001. Additionally, a small, but significant main effect of experience was found as well, ω² = 0.018 (95 % CI: 0.00-0.050), p = 0.008. We conclude that physiotherapists with post-graduate education are more likely to report higher levels of pain competencies, independently of how long they have worked as physiotherapists. We speculate that this may relate to their scholarly achievements, e.g., critical thinking skills, rather than more pain education alone.