Primary healthcare physicians’ adherence to acute lower back pain referral guidelines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives:To assess the primary healthcare physicians’ adherence to referral guidelines for acute low back pain and if there is any association with experience level.Methods:A cross-sectional study held in Tertiary care hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires were distributed in-person between October 2017 and January 2018 among 100 primary healthcare physicians, with a 79% response rate.Results:The distribution between male to female was 43%-57%. Twenty-five percent of physicians encounter 1-5 patients weekly, while 28% encounter more than 15 patients. The physicians included had a higher than expected adherence to referral guidelines with percentages ranging between 63-94% referral rates for back pain related red flags. A trend was noted where there was an increase in referral decisions with increased experience when encountering red flags. More experienced physicians were more likely to refer when encountering; pain worse after prolonged sitting, limited mobility, and pain worse while coughing or sneezing (p<0.05).Conclusion:Primary healthcare physicians working in one health system in Riyadh had a higher than expected adherence to referral guidelines for back pain related red flags.

The regional and referral compliance of online healthcare systems by Indonesia National Health Insurance agency and health-seeking behavior in Indonesia

“…Ahbahlal et al. [ 9 ] assessed the primary healthcare physicians' adherence to referral guidelines for acute low back pain in Riyadh. Ahbahlal et al.…”

“…Ahbahlal et al. [ 9 ] found that the physicians who were working in one health system had a higher-than-expected adherence to the referral guidelines for back pain related red flags. Meanwhile, Rossem et al.…”

“…Overview of Indonesian healthcare and referral system Amoah and Philips [8] researched the compliance with the healthcare referral system in Ghana, and discovered that the knowledge, ability, and willingness of healthcare workers to adhere to the referral system were influenced by their immediate and distant social relations. Ahbahlal et al [9] assessed the primary healthcare physicians' adherence to referral guidelines for acute low back pain in Riyadh. Ahbahlal et al [9] found that the physicians who were working in one health system had a higher-than-expected adherence to the referral guidelines for back pain related red flags.…”

“…Ahbahlal et al [9] assessed the primary healthcare physicians' adherence to referral guidelines for acute low back pain in Riyadh. Ahbahlal et al [9] found that the physicians who were working in one health system had a higher-than-expected adherence to the referral guidelines for back pain related red flags. Meanwhile, Rossem et al [10] pointed out that the registration of the diagnosis bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a national database in countries with a referral-based health care system may not be accurate; thus, optimizing data collection and monitoring data entry is necessary.…”

Management of Low Back Pain in Primary Health-Care Settings: Physician’s Awareness and Practices Based on Red Flags

“…10 Primary care physicians play an important role in the diagnosis and management of LBP because they are the first physicians to have contact with patients and, thus, they can help reduce an unnecessary workload for the specialized services. 11 The southwest region of Saudi Arabia is a heavily populated region, and the health care there is stepping forward but not as in the capital and other industrial cities. This region has its own health problems that are distinctive from other regions in Saudi Arabia.…”