Perception of Patients With Low back Pain Regarding Information Provided by Health Professionals

Background & Aims

Background: The main guidelines for the management of chronic low back pain emphasize the importance of education and appropriate guidance for coping with and controlling symptoms. However, few studies have investigated patient perceptions regarding the information they receive from health professionals. Objective: To investigate the perception of individuals with chronic low back pain regarding the information provided by health professionals about their health condition and advice for dealing with pain.

Methods

Method: The present investigation was a qualitative study with an interpretative description methodology based on semi-structured interviews. Patients with low back pain (> 3 months), who were on a wait list at the Physiotherapy Outpatient Clinic of the State University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, were invited to participate in the research. Fifteen patients (4 male, 11 female) between 33 and 70 years of age participated in face-to-face interviews following a semi-structured script. The interview transcripts were subjected to an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Results: Two central themes emerged. First, information regarding the health condition (i.e., chronic low back pain). Patients usually received information about diagnosis focusing on structural and biomechanical changes, but considered the explanations superficial and insufficient. Prognosis was insufficiently discussed and the reports were controversial (while some professionals reassure patients, informing them that the condition is not serious and that it is possible to control the symptoms, others emphasized that it will not improve and suggested the possibility of permanent disability). Second, advice to control pain. The advice received was conflicting because, although patients received encouragement to engage in physical activity and exercise, they were also advised to take postural care and avoid specific activities and/or movements, reinforcing the risk for worsening symptoms.

Conclusions

Conclusion: Information received by patients was insufficient and still based on a biomedical model, disregarding the multi-dimensional nature of chronic pain. Advice was conflicting, given that patients received recommendations for physical activity and, at the same time, guidance to avoid movement(s), postures, and loads.

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Presenting Author

Micheline Henrique Araujo da Luz Koerich

Poster Authors

Micheline Koerich

PhD

Santa Catarina State University

Lead Author

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