National Recommendations and the Actual Rehabilitation Provided for Low Back Pain Patients

Concordance Between the National Recommendations and the Actual Rehabilitation Provided for Low Back Pain Patients Referred to Primary Care Rehabilitation. A Survey of Public and Private Health Care Providers in Denmark

Purpose and background:

The purpose of the study is to investigate physiotherapeutic courses of rehabilitation in the primary sector for low back pain patients. This is done by identifying both how physiotherapeutic rehabilitation is organized in the primary sector and further what different types of physiotherapeutic interventions are offered for this patient group. Furthermore the study aims to evaluate to what extent existing physiotherapeutic rehabilitation practice adheres with the national and international guidelines and recommendations for low back pain rehabilitation.

Methods:

A quantitative survey is carried out, which includes development and validation of a questionnaire for the purpose, and this is subsequently distributed electronically to private and public providers of physiotherapy rehabilitation in all 19 municipalities in Central Denmark Region. Approximately 500 physiotherapists will be asked to participate in the survey in the period February to March 2018.

Inclusion Criteria:

• physical therapists working with low back pain rehabilitation in the primary sector in Central Denmark Region

Exclusion Criteria:

• physical therapists that have less than 1 consultation per week with low back pain patients.