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

Authors

• Jarallah M. Albahlal, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Ali A. Alhandi, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Khalid A. Aldihan, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Odai H. Alsultan, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Faisal A. Alhusain, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hanadi M. Alqahtani, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Sami I. Aleissa, From the College of Medicine (Albahlal, Aldihan, Alsultan, Alhusain), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of 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.

Article Type

Brief Report

First Page

838

Last Page

841

Recommended Citation

Albahlal, Jarallah M.; Alhandi, Ali A.; Aldihan, Khalid A.; Alsultan, Odai H.; Alhusain, Faisal A.; Alqahtani, Hanadi M.; and Aleissa, Sami I. (2018) "Primary healthcare physicians’ adherence to acute lower back pain referral guidelines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 39: Iss. 8, Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2018.8.22539