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Boyle EM, Evans K, Coates S, Fary RE, Bennell K, Sterling M, Rebbeck T, Beales DJ. Patient experiences of referral practices and primary care physiotherapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Physiother Theory Pract 2024; 40:1326-1342. [PMID: 36331383 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2141599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low back pain (LBP) clinical practice guidelines recommend referral for patients with persistent LBP however discordance persists between recommended care and implementation in practice. Understanding patient experiences of referral practices and physiotherapy care could be important for optimizing LBP management in primary care settings. PURPOSE This study explored referral experiences of people with nonspecific LBP in Australian primary care and their knowledge and experience of physiotherapy. METHODS An interpretive descriptive qualitative framework was used with 17 participants interviewed from community-based physiotherapy practices. RESULTS Four themes described the participants' experiences of referrals in primary care settings: 1) Referral practices ranged from formal to informal to non-existent; 2) Fragmented inter-and intra-professional LBP care management; 3) Patient perceived differences in the roles of physiotherapists and specialist physiotherapists; and 4) Patient nominated barriers and facilitators to optimal referral practices. CONCLUSION Physiotherapists support people with LBP to improve strength and function, whereas the specialist physiotherapist's role was seen as more holistic. Referral pathways that align to clinical guideline recommendations for non-surgical management and treatment remain underdeveloped. Improved referral pathways to clinicians such as physiotherapists with additional credentialed skills and competence in musculoskeletal care could improve people's experiences of care and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Boyle
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Curtin University, Kent Street Bentley, Kent Street Bentley, Perth, Australia
| | - Kerrie Evans
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Darlington Sydney, Australia
- Healthia Limited, Bowen Hills Queensland, Australia
| | - Sonia Coates
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Darlington Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn E Fary
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Curtin University, Kent Street Bentley, Kent Street Bentley, Perth, Australia
| | - Kim Bennell
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Parkville Carlton, Australia
| | - Michele Sterling
- RECOVER Injury Research Centre, NHMR Centre of Research Excellence in Road Traffic Injury recovery, The University of Queensland, Brisbane City Queensland, Australia
| | - Trudy Rebbeck
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Darlington Sydney, Australia
| | - Darren J Beales
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences Curtin University, Kent Street Bentley, Kent Street Bentley, Perth, Australia
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Enthoven P, Menning L, Öberg B, Schröder K, Fors M, Lindbäck Y, Abbott A. Physiotherapists' experiences of implementation of the BetterBack model of care for low back pain in primary care - a focus group interview study. Physiother Theory Pract 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38189338 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2023.2301436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The BetterBack model of care (MoC), a best practice physiotherapy MoC for low back pain (LBP), was implemented in Swedish primary care to improve management of patients with LBP and provide patients with support tools to better self-manage episodes of LBP. PURPOSE The objective was to describe how physiotherapists in primary care experienced the implementation of the BetterBack MoC for LBP. METHODS Focus group interviews were conducted with physiotherapists in 2018-2019, 14-18 months after the introduction of the BetterBack MoC. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Five focus group interviews with 23 (15 female and 8 male) physiotherapists, age range 24-61 years were analyzed. A supportive organization and adaptation to the local culture, combined with health care professionals' attitudes and collaboration between physiotherapists emerged as important factors for a successful implementation and for long-term sustainability of the MoC. Physiotherapists had differing opinions if the implementation led to change in clinical practice. Improved confidence in how to manage patients with LBP was expressed by physiotherapists. CONCLUSIONS Several barriers and facilitators influence the implementation of a best practice physiotherapy MoC for LBP in primary care, which need to be considered in future implementation and sustainability processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Enthoven
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Linnea Menning
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Öberg
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Karin Schröder
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Fors
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Activity and Health, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Lindbäck
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Allan Abbott
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Division of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Community Medicine, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Orthopaedics, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
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Patients' Perceptions and Outcome Measures after Undergoing the Enhanced Transtheoretical Model Intervention (ETMI) for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Mixed-Method Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19106106. [PMID: 35627641 PMCID: PMC9140490 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19106106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the outcome measures and perceptions of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) after being treated with the Enhanced Transtheoretical Model Intervention (ETMI). In this process evaluation mixed-methods study, 30 patients with CLBP electronically completed self-reported measures (function, pain, and fear-avoidance beliefs) before and after ETMI treatment. Subsequently, each patient participated in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically. Quantitative analysis showed significant improvements in function (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.001), and fear-avoidance beliefs (p < 0.001) after receiving ETMI treatment, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.234). Moreover, the average number of physiotherapy sessions was 2.6 ± 0.6 for the ETMI intervention, while the annual average number in Maccabi is estimated at 4.1 ± 1.5. Three main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: (1) communication between the patient and the practitioner; (2) psychosocial treatment elements, and (3) ETMI as a long-term solution for CLBP. The findings of the current study highlight patients’ perceived need for an open and sincere dialogue and for receiving reassurance and encouragement about their LBP. Notably, they had no problem with the fact that they did not receive passive treatment. Accordingly, together with the significant improvement in post-treatment outcome measures, patients perceived the ETMI method as a practical tool for self-managing their back problems in the long term.
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