RBWH Emergency Department (ED) has more than 400,000 people present every year, with acute low-back pain being the fifth most common reason for visits. This project, led by Jamieson Trauma Institute (JTI) Principal Research Fellow Dr Panagiotis Barlas, will investigate treatment alignment with guidelines to explore patients’ experiences when dealing with acute low-back pain.

Despite being the fifth most common cause for RBWH ED visits, the extent to which low-back-pain patients receive and apply guideline-aligned treatment is unknown. This study addresses this gap by engaging with patients to explore their experiences and understanding of information provided, assessing treatment alignment with guidelines. The findings will identify areas for improvement in communication and information provision.

By gathering insights into the experiences and understanding of low-back-pain patients regarding ED care and treatment advice alignment with guidelines, the study will bridge existing gaps in communication. Recommendations for enhanced communication strategies and additional resources will contribute to better alignment with treatment guidelines, potentially reducing the need for low-back-pain patients to return to the ED. Ultimately, these findings can lead to improved alignment with current guidelines, empowering patients with the knowledge and resources for effective self-managed care.