Observational studyBMJ open2023
Exploring usual care for patients with low back pain in primary care: a cross-sectional study of general practitioners, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Observational study in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effect of exercise and manual therapy or kinesiotaping on sEMG and pain perception in chronic low back pain: a randomized trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Trial
- Change in Healthcare Use After a Self-Management Supportive Intervention for Low Back Pain-A Quasi-Experimental Study.European journal of pain (London, England) · 2025Article
- The role of preexisting analgesic use and self-efficacy for continued use of analgesics among patients with persistent low back pain.Chiropractic & manual therapies · 2025Article
- Patient Characteristics Are Associated With Differences in Perceptions of Reassurance After a Consultation for Low Back Pain: Analysis of an Observational Study in Primary Care.European journal of pain (London, England) · 2025Observational
- Clinical assessment and treatment of patients presenting with longstanding hip and groin pain in primary care: a survey study among physical therapists and general practitioners in Sweden.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2025Article
- Patient perspectives on low back pain treatment in primary care: a qualitative study of hopes, expectations, and experiences.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2024Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesTo explore the elements and composition of care provided by general practitioners (GPs), physiotherapists (PTs) and chiropractors (DCs) to patients with low back pain (LBP).
designObservational study.
settingPrimary care setting, Denmark.
participantsPrimary care clinicians (GPs, PTs and DCs) in the Region of Southern Denmark were invited to register consecutive adult patient visits with LBP as the primary complaint. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinicians reported care elements provided to patients with LBP. Elements varied due to professional differences (eg, prescriptive rights). Data were descriptively analysed, on group and individual levels, for frequency and combination of care elements, and practice patterns were explored with latent class analysis.
resultsThe clinicians (33 GPs, 67 PTs and 43 DCs with a median experience of 15 years and 59% were females) registered 3500 patient visits. On average, the visits involved patients aged 51 years, and 51% were with females. The frequencies of common care elements across professions were information (42%-56% of visits between professions) and advice (56%-81%), while other common elements for GPs were pain medication (40%) and referrals to PTs (36%), for PTs, use of exercises (81%) and for DCs, use of manual therapy (96%). Substantial variation was observed within professions and distinct practice patterns, with different focuses of attention to information and advice versus exercise and manual therapy, were identified for PTs and DCs.
conclusionsThese data indicate substantial variation in the care elements provided by GPs, PTs and DCs to LBP patients. The compositions of care and practice patterns identified challenge the understanding of usual care as a uniform concept and professions as homogeneous groups. Strategic use of particular care elements in different parts of treatment courses is indicated. Longitudinal data and qualitative enquiry are needed to assess if or how care is tailored to individual patients.
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