Implementation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain—experiences and perspectives of rehabilitation team members

Abstract

Study rationale Low back pain is a common condition and one of the leading reasons for years of chronic disability. Rehabilitation has been shown to be effective on low back pain, because it is based on the complex and multifactorial mechanisms that low back pain entails. Aim The aim of this study was to describe and interpret rehabilitation team members' experiences and perspectives regarding an integrated rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain. Methods and Materials This qualitative study used the Interpretive Description methodology. Data consisted of participant observation of 28 rehabilitation team members and four semi‐structured focus group interviews with 20 of the 28 participants. The COREQ checklist was used to consolidate the findings in the study. Results The results represented an insight into rehabilitation team members' experiences and perspectives regarding the implementation of an integrated rehabilitation program for patients with chronic low back pain. The significance of the rehabilitation team members' expectations was underlined as they initially had positive expectations but along the implementing of the program found their expectations challenged. The challenges they experienced were related to their professional competence, the incongruity of the two programs being compared, and to their utilization of quick fixes. Conclusion This Interpretive Description study provides insight into the complexity and challenges related to implementation practice. It identifies important elements when implementing a new rehabilitation intervention in clinical practice and emphasizes the importance of expectations among rehabilitation team members in the implementation process. There should be a specific focus on the importance of involving rehabilitation team members when new interventions are to be implemented, as participation contributes to increased positivity in relation to new initiatives.