Improving primary care management of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a priority. A pilot cluster RCT tested prognostic stratified care for patients with common MSK pain presentations, including low back pain, in 8 UK general practices (4 stratified care; 4 usual care) with 524 patients. GPs in stratified care practices were asked to use i) the Keele STarT MSK tool for risk-stratification and ii) matched treatment options for patients at low-, medium- and high-risk of persistent pain. A linked qualitative process evaluation explored patients' and GPs' views and experiences of stratified care. Individual ‘stimulated-recall’ interviews with patients and GPs in the stratified care arm (Background
Methods
The Keele STarT Back approach is effective for stratifying patients with low back pain in primary care, but a similar approach has not been tested with a broader range of patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. We report a feasibility and pilot trial examining the feasibility of a future main trial of a primary care based, risk-stratification (STarT MSK) approach for patients with back, neck, knee, shoulder or multi-site pain. A pragmatic, two-parallel arm, cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) in 8 GP practices (4 stratified care involving use of the Keele STarT MSK tool and matched treatment options: 4 usual care). Following screening, adults with one of the five most common MSK pain presentations were invited to take part in data collection over 6 months. Feasibility outcomes included exploration of selection bias, recruitment and follow-up rates, clinician engagement with using the Keele STarT MSK tool and matching patients to treatments.Background and aims
Methods
Sciatica is common and associated with significant impacts for the individual, health care and society. The SCOPiC randomised controlled trial (RCT) is investigating whether stratified primary care for sciatica is more effective and cost-effective than usual, non-stratified primary care. Stratified care involves subgrouping patients to one of three groups based on a combination of prognostic and clinical indicators. Patients in one of these groups are ‘fast-tracked’ with an MRI scan to spinal specialist opinion. Our aim was to understand the perspectives of clinicians on the acceptability of this ‘fast-track’ pathway. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, spinal specialist physiotherapists and spinal surgeons (Background
Methods
Population ageing will facilitate an increase in health problems common in older adults, such as musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal conditions are the fourth largest contributor to disease burden in older adults; affecting quality of life, physical activity, mental wellbeing and independence. Therefore primary care health services must provide appropriate and efficacious management and treatment. However there are a number of complexities specific to older adults that are essential to address. In order to identify these complexities, a review of the background literature was undertaken in addition to a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) session. The PPIE group consisted of eight older adults who experience chronic musculoskeletal pain. This session was used to discuss and explore what factors are important to consider in GP consultations for musculoskeletal pain for older adults, in addition to those identified through background literature. A number of factors were highlighted through these methods, including the difference in mood and aspirations for older adults; taking a holistic approach; the impact of comorbidities; whether the GP is listening and ‘on the same wavelength’, and older adults' expectations regarding their pain and the consultation.Purpose of Study and Background
Methods and Results
Over two-thirds of pregnant women experience low back pain (LBP) that interferes with everyday activities, work and sleep. Acupuncture appears a safe, promising intervention but there are no high quality trial data, regarding its clinical or cost-effectiveness in comparison to standard care. EASE Back was a feasibility and pilot RCT designed to inform a full trial evaluating the addition of acupuncture to standard care for pregnancy-related LBP. In preparation for the pilot trial, phase 1 of EASE Back consisted of semi-structured interviews exploring the views of pregnant women, midwives and physiotherapists about pregnancy-related LBP, use of acupuncture, and participation in clinical trials. Transcript data were anonymised and analysed using thematic analysis. Three members of the team independently coded a sample of transcripts to develop the coding framework.Purpose and background
Methods
