Benefit of Integrated Care for Lower Back Pain

[admin]

Researchers in the Netherlands set out to evaluate the cost effectiveness, cost utility, and cost-benefit of an integrated care programme compared with usual care for patients with chronic low back pain.

The British Medical Journal just reported the following results.

Integrated care consisted of a workplace intervention based on participatory ergonomics, with involvement of a supervisor, and a graded activity programme based on cognitive behavioural principles. Usual care was provided by general practitioners and occupational physicians according to Dutch guidelines.

The results showed people with chronic low back pain can be treated for substantially less cost by using an integrated approach to care instead of traditional medical care.

In full detail:

Patients allocated to usual care were referred to their occupational physician and general practitioner with a letter containing the advice to treat them according to the Dutch guidelines for patients with low back pain.10 11 These guidelines are evidence based and provide recommendations for the management of patients with low back pain.

Patients allocated to integrated care were referred to a clinical occupational physician who was responsible for the coordination of the care and for communication with the other healthcare professionals in the team. The intervention consisted of a workplace intervention protocol and a graded activity protocol. The workplace intervention protocol, based on participatory ergonomics, was a stepwise process involving the participant and supervisor and aimed to formulate a consensus based plan for adaptations at work to facilitate return to work.12 13 14 Graded activity was a time contingent programme based on cognitive behavioural principles.15 16 17 The integrated care team consisted of a medical specialist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, and clinical occupational physician. The primary aim of integrated care was to restore occupational functioning and to achieve lasting return to work for patients in their own job or similar work.

[victoria stiles]

Lower back pain usually begins when one exerts an abnormally high amount of pressure on the soft tissues, bones, and muscles of the spine. Thanks for sharing about it.

[Back Pain Doctor]

I kind of agree with you victoria.