The study authors administered a survey to patients including 19 items. The patients all had low back pain and/or low back pain symptoms and were referred for an elective surgical assessment. There were 80 patients who completed the survey.
Here are five things to know:
1. Most of the patients, 72.5 percent, requested to see a surgeon within three months of referral.
2. Eighty-eight percent of the patients said they would undergo a screening from a non-physician to identify whether they would be a candidate for surgery.
3. Around half of the respondents said they’d drive more than 50 miles for the non-physician assessment.
4. Forty-six percent of the patients said they would pay out-of-pocket for the non-physician assessment; another 25.6 percent were unsure.
5. Seventy percent of the patients said they’d still want to see a surgeon if the non-physician said they weren’t a surgical candidate. The patients expressed concern about whether surgeons and non-physicians would agree about their status as a surgical candidate.
More articles on spine surgery:
4 things to know about lumbar spinal decompression in older patients
5 key points on pedicle screw placement during scoliosis correction with CT
5 key notes on the frailty index to predict cervical spinal fusion complications
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
