None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
People with LBP are often anxious, catastrophise about the consequences of LBP, and are fearful of movement and re-injury. Increased fear is associated with more time off work, and the progression of an acute episode of LBP to chronic disability. Health Care Practitioner (HCP) attitudes and beliefs are associated with the attitudes and beliefs of their patients. Numerous guidelines have been developed to try and improve the management of LBP and prevent progression to disability. When these guidelines are followed patients have better outcomes at lower cost. However, the development and implementation of these guidelines has not decreased the financial and social burden of LBP. Although this may be due to a number of factors, the attitudes and beliefs of both HCPs and their patients, and the interaction between these two groups, are important contributors. The Fear Reduction Exercised Early (FREE) approach will communicate current best practice to GPs and their patients by using a novel information package. This aims to influence the attitudes and beliefs of both GPs and their patients, providing them with a consistent framework upon which to achieve optimal management of LBP. This trial will test the acceptability and utility of the FREE approach amongst a cohort of General Practitioners.
Interventions
General Practitioners (GPs) will be instructed about current best practice for acute Low Back Pain (LBP) using a novel approach. The approach aims to assist GPs to identify and address attitudes and beliefs which may be barriers to recovery from acute LBP, explain back pain to their patients, and to provide patients with a framework which enables them to resume normal employment and activities of daily living.
GPs will be instructed about the approach during a 4 hour interactive workshop. The
General Practitioners (GPs) will be instructed about current best practice for acute Low Back Pain (LBP) using a novel approach. The approach aims to assist GPs to identify and address attitudes and beliefs which may be barriers to recovery from acute LBP, explain back pain to their patients, and to provide patients with a framework which enables them to resume normal employment and activities of daily living. GPs will be instructed about the approach during a 4 hour interactive workshop. The workshop will be supported by a booklet, a website, and a module within their electronic patient management system. The workshop will be delivered at baseline. Subsequently, GPs will receive ongoing support to use the approach via the booklet, the website. A member of the research team will visit the practices monthly during the three month duration of the trial. GPs will also be able to contact the research team as required via email and telephone. GPs will also be provided with a novel information booklet to provide to their patients. This booklet outlines current best practice for acute LBP, supports recommendations from the GP booklet, and addresses commonly held beliefs. It encourages an active approach to managing LBP. The booklet will also be supported by a website. GPs will try to use the intervention with patients experiencing acute low back pain for the three month duration of the trial.
Sponsors
Ben Darlow
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
0 to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
General Practitioner Practice at one of two Student Health medical practices
Exclusion criteria
General Practitioners who are not expected to be employed at the Student Health medical practice for the 3 month duration of the trial
Outcome results
None listed