title: How do low back pain patients conceptualize their expectations regarding treatment? Content analysis of interviews.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how low back pain (LBP) patients conceptualize the construct of expectations regarding treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was nested within a mixed-method randomized clinical trial comparing three primary care interventions for LBP. A total of 77 participants with LBP lasting longer than 6 weeks were included; semi-structured interviews were conducted querying patients about their expectations for treatment. Also factors influencing their expectations were explored. Interviews were administered following enrollment into the study, but prior to study treatment. Two researchers independently conducted a content analysis using NVIVO 9 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LBP patients' expectations could be categorized in two main domains: outcome and process expectations, each with subdomains. Patients expressed expectations in all subdomains both as values (what they hoped) and probabilities (what they thought was likely). In multiple subdomains, there were differences in the nature (positive vs. negative) and frequency of value and probability expectations. Participants reported that multiple factors influenced their expectations of which past experience with treatment appeared to be of major influence on probability expectations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that LBP patients' expectations for treatment are multifaceted. Current measurement instruments do not cover all domains and subdomains of expectations. Therefore, we recommend the development of new or improved measures that make a distinction between value and probability expectations and assess process and/or outcome expectations covering multiple subdomains. Some of the influencing factors found in this study may be useful targets for altering patients' treatment expectations and improving health outcomes.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, Van den Boechorststraat 7, Room A-505, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, t.haanstra@vumc.nl.
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Haanstra
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Hanson
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Evans
authors: F A
authors: FA
authors: van Nes
authors: H C W
authors: HC
authors: De Vet
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Cuijpers
authors: R W J G
authors: RW
authors: Ostelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research
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