Background: Patients assessed at the clinic are classified and managed according to the guidelines from The Royal College of General Practitioners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in initial assessment findings between patients with ‘simple’ LBP and those with probable ‘Nerve Root Pain’ (NRP).

Methods: All 1949 new patients attending over two years were assessed using a range of valid and reliable questionnaires to establish generic health status (Short-Form 36; SF36), self reported disability (Oswestry Disability Index; ODI) and psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS). The spinal examination was carried out by a Senior Physiotherapist and patients were triaged into the various categories of back pain. Differences between groups were assessed for the questionnaire scores and physical examination findings (SLR and lumbar flexion) using Chi-Square Analysis and unrelated T-Tests.

Results: 908 patients were classified as having ‘Simple’ LBP and 302 were classified as having probable ‘Nerve Root Pain’. A significant difference was detected between the two groups for the mean ODI scores (mean difference: −8.73; 95% CI –11.3 to –6.2; P< 0.001). (mean ODI of 36.73 % (SD 18.88%) for ‘Simple LBP’ and 45.46% (SD 22%) for NRP group. Significant differences were also detected for the SF36-Physical Component scores, lumbar flexion and SLR.

Conclusion: The ODI was found to be the strongest discriminator between the two groups. These findings support the inclusion of this condition specific outcome measure in the triage of back pain patients, as it appears to be sensitive to those patients with ‘NRP’.

An initial report from an acute back pain screening clinic, the first of its kind in Ireland, run by two Chartered Physiotherapists under the supervision of a Consultant Spinal Surgeon. Patients are referred directly from their Primary Care Practitioners and the A& E Department. The objectives of the clinic are to fast track patients with spinal pathology requiring specialist treatment, identify patients requiring other treatments/ interventions and ultimately to attempt to prevent the development of the chronic back pain syndrome. Since March 2001, approximately 800 patients with acute low back pain of duration greater than 6 weeks and less than 1 year have been seen at this clinic. 30% were referred for formal physiotherapy, 11% to the orthopaedic spinal clinic, 1% to the specialist pain clinic and 30% were discharged following simple advice and education.

Study Objective: To assess patient and General Practitioner satisfaction with this service.

Design: A validated patient satisfaction questionnaire for back pain was administered to 100 consecutive patients who had attended the clinic at least 6 months previously. 70 General Practitioners who had utilised the service were asked to complete a further questionnaire.

Results: The response rate was 73% from the patients and 66% from GP’s. Patients reported satisfaction with the treatment, advice and information received at the clinic but felt more investigations were warranted. GP’s were pleased with the accessibility of the service but expressed reservations about the quality of correspondence from the clinic.

Conclusions: The back pain screening clinic represents an important development in the services available for those with acute low back pain as demonstrated by the satisfaction of both those referring to and attending the clinic.