Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Care
  • Year: 2021
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: spl

Development and evaluation of an animation learning tool to improve clinical decisions to identify red flags in low back pain among physiotherapy students

  • Author:
  • Sweni Shah1, Niki Patel1, Jinal Amin1, Nishith Patel2
  • Total Page Count: 1
  • Page Number: 32 to 32

1MPT Student, Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of physiotherapy, Gujrat, India

2Charotar University of Science and Technology, Changa, Anand, Gujarat, India

Online published on 14 October, 2021.

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 17.8%. Guide to Physiotherapist Practice states that “the initial patient examination is a comprehensive screening and specific testing process leading to diagnostic classification or, referral to other practitioner. Animation is intended to support a student ' cognitive process which will help in understanding the concepts.

To develop and evaluate an animation-based learning tool to improve knowledge and practice of red flag screening among undergraduate physiotherapy students in low back pain.

This study was a randomized control trial. In this study 110 participants of 3rd, 4th year of BPT, internee, 1st and 2nd year MPT from various physiotherapy colleges across Gujarat were participated with average age of 21 years. We have used clinical vignettes for data collection. We have developed an animated learning tool with the help of Plot agon and Kinemaster software based on current evidences for red flags screening in LBP. The animated video was shared with the students in the experimental group via Zoom Meeting. Students in control group had not received any learning material related to red flag screening in LBP management during the study period.

Out of five decisions only 2 decisions were correct that mean majority students were unfamiliar about the concept of red flags screening. After providing an intervention in form of animated videos related to red flags screening of LBP, we got 4 decisions correct out of five decisions. Our study suggests that an animation learning tool improves clinical decisions among physiotherapy students for identifying red flags in LBP.

The current study has provided an overview to improve clinical decision in identifying red flags in low back pain among physiotherapy students. Our data suggests that subjects in the experimental group score made better decision compared to control group.

Keywords

Low back pain, Clinical decision, Red flags, Animation learning tool, Physiotherapy students