None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The recently released NHMRC-endorsed evidence-based clinical practice guideline for acute low-back pain management provides an opportunity to assess the effects of a tailored implementation strategy for use in general medical practice. This trial will assess the effectiveness of the implementation strategy both at the general practitioner and patient level and also assess the cost effectiveness of the strategy. Successful implementation of these guidelines will reduce the morbidity and cost of acute low-back pain. The trial will contribute to our knowledge about implementation strategies attempting to change clinical practice behaviour.
Interventions
Intervention: tailored implementation strategy (face-to-face education sessions, printed educational materials and patient education) for a clinical practice guideline. Delivered over a two month time period.
Sponsors
Institute of Health Services Research, Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
General practices will be included if:1. The practice manager agrees to the practice being involved in the C-RCT.2. At least one GP, and no objection from the remaining GPs, within the practice provide written informed consent.3. Practice GPs do not work in more than one practice.4. Practice support staff are willing to facilitate patient recruitment. Patients will be included if:1. They attend the participating practices for acute non-specific LBP (duration of less than three months).2. Provide written informed consent.3. Are able to write and understand English.
Exclusion criteria
General practices will be excluded if:1. Any of the GPs at the practice participated in focus groups during part one of this study.Patients will be excluded if:1. Radicular pain is present.2. They have had previous spinal surgery.3. “Red flags” are present, alerting the possibility of serious conditions such as malignancy, infection and fracture.4. Pregnancy.
Outcome results
None listed