Perceptions and beliefs of medical doctors and patients about imaging tests for diagnosis of low back pain: a qualitative study

• Grant number: 21/11986-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Crystian Bitencourt Soares de Oliveira
• Grantee: Mariana Moraes Barbosa
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Low back pain affects about 80% of individuals throughout their lives, leading the world ranking of years lived with disability and ninth in the world ranking of disability-adjusted for years lived. Although the use of lumbar imaging exams for diagnosis of low back pain is considered low-value care (that is, use of unnecessary/ineffective/harmful strategies), they are still frequently requested. In Brazil, the requests for imaging exams are responsible for the highest proportions of health care spending related to low back pain. Although studies have been conducted around the world investigating factors that may be associated with requesting images for people with low back pain, the opinions and perceptions of health care professionals and people with low back pain about this practice are still unknown in Brazil. Objectives: to investigate the opinions and perceptions of medical doctors and people with low back pain about imaging for the non-specific low back pain diagnosis, with the aim of reducing the economic impact generated by the practice. Methods: People with low back pain and health professionals who serve this population in the city of Presidente Prudente, SP, will participate in this study. Sociodemographic data will be collected from all participants, as well as professional background (for example, years of experience, specialty) for medical doctors and clinical aspects (such as pain intensity and disability) for people with low back pain. The interviews will be conducted in person using a set of questions, to investigate opinions and perceptions about imaging exams, the reasons why they are requested and how often they are requested. The interview guide including relevant questions to patients and medical doctors were created based on the literature in order to collect information to answer the objective of the study. Interview data will be recorded and later transcribed directly into Microsoft Word. The collected information will be coded into fragments and grouped into themes using thematic analysis methods.(AU)