Related Experiment Videos
Implementing evidence-based guidelines for radiography in acute low back pain: a pilot study in a chiropractic
Carlo Ammendolia1, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, Victoria Pennick
1Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, and Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E9, Canada. cammendol@iwh.on.ca
Objective:
To evaluate the ability of a systematic educational intervention strategy to change the plain radiography ordering behavior of chiropractors toward evidence-based practice for patients with acute low back pain (LBP).
Design:
A quasi-experimental method was used comparing outcomes before and after the intervention with those of a control community.
Setting:
Two communities in southern Ontario.
Data Source:
Mailed survey data on the management of acute LBP. Outcome Measures Plain radiography use rates for acute LBP based on responses to mailed surveys.
Results:
Following the intervention, there was a 42% reduction in the self-report need for plain radiography for uncomplicated acute LBP (P <.025) and a 50% reduction for patients with acute LBP < 1 month (P <.025) in the intervention community. There was no significant change in the self-report need for plain radiography in the control community (P >.05).
Conclusions:
The educational intervention strategy used in this study appeared to have an effect in reducing the perceived need for plain radiography in acute LBP.