Clinical decision making in spinal fusion for chronic low back pain. Results of a nationwide survey among spine surgeons.

ABSTRACT: Objectives To assess the use of prognostic patient factors and predictive tests in clinical decision making for spinal fusion in patients with chronic low back pain. Design and setting Nationwide survey among spine surgeons in the Netherlands. Participants Surgeon members of the Dutch Spine Society were questioned on their surgical treatment strategy for chronic low back pain. Primary and secondary outcome measures The surgeons' opinion on the use of prognostic patient factors and predictive tests for patient selection were addressed on Likert scales, and the degree of uniformity was assessed. In addition, the influence of surgeon-specific factors, such as clinical experience and training, on decision making was determined. Results The comments from 62 surgeons (70% response rate) were

SUBMITTER: Willems P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3278483 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature