@misc{10481/102829,
year = {2025},
month = {3},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/102829},
abstract = {Introduction: Chronic neck pain is a prevalent condition that challenges physical
therapists (PTs) due to its multifactorial etiology. Differential diagnosis is crucial for
identifying the underlying causes and providing appropriate interventions. However,
the extent to which PTs apply and understand differential diagnostic criteria remains
unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of PTs in
France regarding the differential diagnosis of chronic neck pain. Materials and Methods:
An online questionnaire was designed to assess PTs’ beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and
clinical application of differential diagnostic criteria in chronic neck pain. The survey was
distributed nationwide and included questions regarding demographic data, theoretical
knowledge, practical application, and perceived barriers. A total of 80 responses were
collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results
revealed moderate levels of theoretical knowledge among participants, with 62% correctly
identifying key criteria for differential diagnosis. However, only 45% reported consistently
applying these criteria in clinical practice. Common barriers included time constraints
(70%), lack of access to advanced diagnostic tools (55%), and insufficient training (40%).
Attitudes towards the importance of differential diagnosis were predominantly positive,
with 85% recognizing its relevance for improving patient outcomes. Conclusions: This
study highlights a gap between PTs’ knowledge and the practical application of differential
diagnosis criteria in chronic neck pain. Addressing barriers such as training and resource
availability could enhance clinical practices. Future efforts should focus on integrating these
competencies into professional development programs to improve diagnostic accuracy and
patient care.},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {chronic neck pain},
keywords = {physical therapy},
keywords = {differential diagnosis},
title = {Beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of physical therapists towards differential diagnosis in chronic neck pain etiology},
doi = {10.3390/ hospitals2010007},
author = {Vigier Fretey, Camille Suzanne and Granados Santiago, María and Raya Benítez, Julia and Zamora Tortosa, Jesús and Heredia Ciuró, Alejandro and Valenza, Marie Carmen},
}