Patients' perceptions of self-management of chronic low back pain: evidence for enhancing patient education and support

Objectives To explore the extent to which physiotherapy facilitated chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients to self-manage following discharge. and to explore patients' perceptions of their need For self-management interventions or support and their preferences ill terms of delivery.

Design Qualitative study Using semi-structured interviews to explore patients' perceptions of various aspects of physiotherapy management of CLBP.

Setting Physiotherapy departments in one geographical area of the UK National Health Service.

Participants Twenty-five people who had received physiotherapy For CLBP within the previous 6 months.

Results Adoption of self-management strategies was not achieved consistently in this group of participants. There was a strongly perceived need for self-management support following discharge from physiotherapy. Exercises were reportedd, the most common self-management strategy ill Use. However. it was common for participants to perceive that physiotherapy had little influence on their CLBP management following, discharge.

Conclusions These results suggest that CLBP patients could be better facilitated to manage their condition. Providing self-management education in addition to the patient information and education provided traditionally, and providing self-management support ill the form of direct access and/or review appointments or telephone calls is worthy of further investigation in this patient group. (C) 2008 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.