title: Improving the coordination of care for low back pain patients by creating better links between acute and community services.
abstract: This paper reports on the development of a care-pathway to improve service linkages between the acute setting and community health services in the treatment of low back pain. The pathway was informed by two processes: (1) a literature review based on best-practice guidelines in the assessment, treatment and continuity of care for low back pain patients; and (2) consultation with staff and key stakeholders. Stakeholders from both the acute and community sectors comprised the Working Group, who identified central areas of concern to be addressed in the care-pathway, with the goal of preventing chronicity of low back pain and reducing emergency department presentations. The main outcomes achieved include: the development of a new care-coordinator role, which would support a greater focus on integration between acute and community sectors for low back pain patients; identifying the need to screen at-risk patients; implementation of the SCTT (Service Coordination Tool Templates) tool as a system of referral across the acute and community settings; and agreement on the need to develop an evidence-based self-management program to be offered to low back pain patients. The benefits and challenges of implementing this care pathway are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia. petra.staiger@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Petra K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Staiger
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serlachius
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: Sharron
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003153:Community Health Services; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care