Authors' recommendations: The systematic review of scientific literature found a paucity of high quality evidence to inform the organisation of low back pain services in Scotland. Much of the published research on organisation of low back pain services makes no distinction between acute and chronic back pain, or indeed between back pain and musculoskeletal conditions. A further issue with research in this area is the lack of standardised patient-focused outcome measures and comparators. Consequently, this HTA cannot recommend a ‘model’ low back pain service to NHSScotland which brings together the four HTA dimensions of clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness, patient issues and organisational issues. However, there are a number of conclusions from the systematic review of the evidence which may be of benefit to NHS boards when developing services and determining which treatments to use.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/files/LBPSystematicReview.pdf

Year Published: 2008

URL for published report: http://www.nhshealthquality.org/nhsqis/controller?p_service=Content.show&p_applic=CCC&pContentID=4077

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Scotland

Organisation Name: Quality Improvement Scotland

Contact Address: Delta House, 50 West Nile Street Glasgow G1 2NP Scotland United Kingdom Tel: +44 141 225 6988; Fax: +44 141 221 3262

Contact Name: shtg.hcis@nhs.net

Contact Email: shtg.hcis@nhs.net

Copyright: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS)