Consensus for a primary care clinical decision‐making tool for assessing, diagnosing, and managing low back pain in Alberta, Canada

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a common condition causing disability and high healthcare costs. Alberta faces challenges with unnecessary referrals to specialists and long wait times. A province‐wide standardized clinical care pathway based on evidence‐based best practices can improve efficiency, reduce wait times, and enhance patient outcomes. Implementing such pathways has shown success in other areas of healthcare in Alberta. This study developed a clinical decision‐making pathway to standardize care and minimize uncertainty in assessment, diagnosis, and management.MethodsA systematic rapid review identified existing tools and evidence that could support a comprehensive LBP clinical decision‐making tool. Forty‐seven healthcare professionals participated in four rounds of a modified Delphi approach to reach consensus on the assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients presenting to primary care with LBP in Alberta, Canada. This project was a collaborative effort between Alberta Health Services’ Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network (BJHSCN) and the Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute (ABJHI).ResultsA province‐wide expert panel consisting of professionals from different health disciplines and regions collaborated to develop an LBP clinical decision‐making tool. This tool presents clinical care pathways for acute, subacute, and chronic LBP. It also provides guidance for history‐taking, physical examination, patient education, and management.ConclusionsThis clinical decision‐making tool will help to standardize care, provide guidance on the diagnosis and management of LBP, and assist in clinical decision‐making for primary care providers in both public and private sectors.