Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29751801›Full record

Trial reportBMC health services research2018

Effectiveness of a multifaceted implementation strategy compared to usual care on low back pain guideline adherence among general practitioners.

Arnela Suman, Frederieke G Schaafsma, Peter M van de Ven, Pauline Slottje, Rachelle Buchbinder, Maurits W van Tulder, Johannes R Anema

Abstract readComparative StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC health services research, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 24 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
24citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

24 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Models of care for managing non-specific low back pain.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Defining and measuring imaging appropriateness in low back pain studies: a scoping review.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2020
    Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Arnela SumanDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-0656-490X
Frederieke G SchaafsmaDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Research Centre for Insurance Medicine, Collaboration between AMC-UMCG-UWV-VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. f.schaafsma@vumc.nl.
Peter M van de VenDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pauline SlottjeDepartment of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, Academic Network of General Practice (ANH), Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Rachelle BuchbinderMonash Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Cabrini Institute and Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Maurits W van TulderDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Movement Science research institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Johannes R AnemaDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, VU University medical centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Research Centre for Insurance Medicine, Collaboration between AMC-UMCG-UWV-VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Funding

ZonMw 837003005
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTo improve patient care, and to reduce unnecessary referrals for diagnostic imaging and medical specialist care for low back pain, an evidence-based guideline for low back pain was developed in the Netherlands in 2010. The current study evaluated the effect of a multifaceted implementation strategy on guideline adherence among Dutch general practitioners.

methodsThe implementation strategy included a multidisciplinary training, provision of educational material and an interactive website for healthcare professionals, supported by a multimedia eHealth intervention for patients with low back pain. Adherence was measured using performance indicators based on 3 months data extracted from the contacts with patients with low back pain recorded in the electronic medical records of participating general practitioners. Performance indicators were compared between two groups: a usual care group and an implementation group. Performance indicators were referrals to consultations with medical specialists, to diagnostic imaging, and to psychosocial and/or occupational physician consultations, and inquiries about psychosocial and occupational risk factors.

resultsThe electronic medical records of 5130 patient contacts for LBP were analysed; 2453 patient contacts in the usual care group and 2677 patient contacts in the implementation group. Overall, rates of referral and of recorded inquiries regarding psychosocial and occupational risk factors remained low in both groups over time. The only statistically significant difference found was a reduction in the number of referrals to neurologists in the implementation group (from 100 (7%) to 50 (4%)) compared to the usual care group (from 48 (4%) to 50 (4%), (p < 0.01)). There were no other between-group differences in referrals.

conclusionIn the short term, the strategy did not result in improved guideline adherence among general practitioners, and it is not recommended for widespread use. However, baseline referral rates in participating practices were already low, possibly leaving only little room for improvement. Inquiries for psychosocial and occupational risk factors remained low and this leaves room for improvement.

trial registrationThis trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR4329 . Registration date: December 20th, 2013.

Indexed as

Controlled Before-After StudiesDiagnostic ImagingFemaleGeneral PracticeGeneral PractitionersGuideline AdherenceHumansInservice TrainingLow Back PainMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsOccupational DiseasesOccupational HealthPractice Guidelines as TopicReferral and ConsultationGuidelinesHealth plan implementationLow back painPrimary health careReferral and consultation

Identifiers

PMID29751801
PMCPMC5948840

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.