Short Project Description

Physiotherapy follow-up for patients not eligible for spine surgery. In the treatment processes for low back pain, severe cases are evaluated for surgery. However, many of these patients will not benefit from surgery and are advised to continue conservative treatment. Little is known about this group of non-elective patients and their physiotherapists. Hence, the PhD study aims to understand better how patients with low back pain who are not eligible for surgery can utilise physiotherapy services. The study will improve knowledge of how physiotherapists can work evidence-based to make decisions for treatment and follow-up of patients. Patient experiences of the clinical and social context of the follow-up and treatment after the evaluation for surgery will be addressed. In addition, our study will improve knowledge about the biopsychosocial characteristics of this patient group. Regarding methods, participant observation of clinical meetings, patient interviews and focus group interviews with physiotherapists will be applied.