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- Title
A content analysis of the interventions for low back pain promoted on the websites of Australian pain clinics.
- Authors
Maher, Chris G.; Han, Christopher S.; Gilbert, Stephen E.; Nicholas, Michael K.
- Abstract
Background: The Internet is a widely used source of health information, yet the accuracy of online information can be low. This is the case for low back pain (LBP), where much of the information about LBP treatment is poor. Methods: This research conducted a content analysis to explore what pain treatments for LBP are presented to the public on websites of Australian pain clinics listed in the PainAustralia National Pain Services Directory. Websites providing information relevant to the treatment of LBP were included. Details of the treatments for LBP offered by each pain service were extracted. Results: In total, 173 pain services were included, with these services linking to 100 unique websites. Services were predominantly under private ownership and located in urban areas, with limited services in non-urban locations. Websites provided detail on a median of six (IQR 3–8) treatments, with detail on a higher number of treatments provided by services in the private sector. Physical, psychological and educational treatments were offered by the majority of pain services, whereas surgical and workplace-focused treatments were offered by relatively few services. Most services provided details on multidisciplinary care; however, interdisciplinary, coordinated care characterised by case-conferencing was infrequently mentioned. Conclusions: Most websites provided details on treatments that were largely in-line with recommended care for LBP, but some were not, especially in private clinics. However, whether the information provided online is a true reflection of the services offered in clinics remains to be investigated. Information online about how low back pain should be treated is often not comprehensive and of low quality. Websites of Australian pain services endorsed by PainAustralia often offer treatments recommended for low back pain, but there is little information on the importance of interdisciplinary care and fewer pain services in non-urban areas. Patients are likely being educated about guideline-endorsed care for low back pain, but patients in non-urban areas are likely to experience difficulty in accessing this.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIA; WORLD Wide Web; HEALTH information services; PHYSICAL therapy; PUBLIC buildings; PAIN clinics; CONTENT analysis; MARKETING; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; CHI-squared test; PAIN management; RURAL conditions; METROPOLITAN areas; DATA analysis software; SOCIAL support; LUMBAR pain; MEDICINE information services
- Publication
Australian Journal of Primary Health, 2024, Vol 30, Issue 2, p1
- ISSN
1448-7527
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1071/PY23164