The management of chronic neck pain in general practice. A retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the management in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain in general practice.


METHODS
A descriptive, questionnaire-based retrospective study.


METHODS
General practices in the Netherlands.


METHODS
517 patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.


METHODS
Nature and frequency of diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions and referrals by the general practitioner (GP).


RESULTS
Forty-four per cent visited the GP for neck pain in the previous year. Of the patients who did visit the GP in the previous year, 32% did not receive a diagnostic modality, 31% did not receive therapy and 43% were not referred. The most frequently applied diagnostic and therapeutic modalities were physical examination (66%) and pain medication (58%), respectively. The GPs most frequently referred to a physiotherapist (51%).


CONCLUSIONS
Once neck pain has become chronic, the minority (44%) of patients do seek help from their GP on a yearly base. In spite of the fact that the patients' conditions are non-specific and chronic, GPs still find indications for further diagnostics in two-thirds of patients. The GPs were rather consistent in their management, as the nature of the diagnostic/therapeutic modalities and referrals was similar in more than 50% of the patients.
Borghouts
J
J
Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine (EMGO), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Janssen
H
H
Koes
B
B
Muris
J
J
Metsemakers
J
J
Bouter
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires