TO ESTABLISH THE VIEWS OF PATIENTS SEEN IN A TRIAGE CLINIC FOR LOW-BACK PAIN PROBLEMS TO IDENTIFY IF THERE IS ANY NEED TO PROVIDE ENCOURAGMENT OR SUPPORT IN THE POST TREATMENT PHASE

Abstract

Introduction: The delivery of healthcare in the 21st Century is based on evidence based practice with an increasing call to listen to the voice of the patient this research was conducted to identify patient views on this topic.

Methodology and Results: A cross sectional descriptive postal survey on patients with mechanical low back pain from 2006. Analysis was conducted statistical for quantitative data and thematic analysis (Burnard 1991) on qualitative data.

The reality of living with back pain was considered and patients were asked to rate the interference in aspects of Activities of daily living (ADL). They were then asked which type of support or encouragement they would find useful and how this should be provided. The effect of living with back pain was evaluated using PPMCC in relation to limitation to ADL against age, gender and exercise with no statistical significance demonstrated. However comparison was conducted with employment as a variable against pain on average day (r = −0.155 n=135) satisfaction (r= −0.153 n =132) expressed need for support (r = −1.05 n = 114). The question as to what style of support was clearly defined by the patients this was graphically analysed, demonstrating times and locations they would prefer.

Conclusion: There is opportunity to use this data as part of the recommendations in current discussions with PCT colleagues on the local spinal pathway. The re-shaping of services will then include expressed views and preferences of patients.