Figure 1.
This flow chart indicates the study recruitment process.
Note that some physicians registered and attended but were not included in the analyses as they did not consent to their data being used. These participants were still eligible for their maximum continuing education points if they submitted their pre and post course questionnaires.
Figure 2.
The framework involved in developing and implementing the gPEP intervention is described in this schematic.
The Western Australian Spinal Pain Model of Care (MOC) is a policy document which describes a framework on which evidence can be implemented into policy and practice to ensure consumers with spinal pain receive the ‘right’ care, at the ‘right’ time, from the ‘right’ team and in the ‘right’ place. The Spinal Pain MOC addresses key gaps in policy and practice. Starting with the Model of Care, key stakeholders interested in spinal pain collaborated to apply for grant funding. Key recommendations from the MOC informed the focus of the educational content for gPEP, and the content was peer reviewed (including GP network engagement) and accredited through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) for Continuing Professional Development points. The intervention was then implemented and the effectiveness evaluated.
Figure 3.
The interprofessional model of low back pain education for primary care physicians, is shown.
Physicians' evidence base knowledge and skills and clinical practice behaviours were measured at baseline (upper dotted line) and at 8 weeks post intervention (lower dotted line). Five modules were presented over a single day. Each of 5 modules was presented with a short evidence based lecture of 15–20 minutes duration and was accompanied by a related case study integrating and applying the relevant clinical knowledge and skills. Each case study was designed to facilitate interprofessional engagement between both PCPs and the educational team, so participant groups were limited in size (typically n≤12) with each comprising a micro-interprofessional team (pain medicine specialist, clinical psychologist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist). The horizontal arrows indicate the integration of evidence base between and across all modules. Case studies targeted clinical practice related to each module, but also included other modular information, as appropriate.
Table 1.
The demographic and clinical practice characteristics of primary care physicians (PCPs) participating in gPEP†.
Table 2.
Primary care physicians' beliefs regarding low back pain and associated disability.
Table 3.
Comparison data for primary care physicians' evidence-based self-reported knowledge and skills.
Table 4.
Comparison data for primary care physicians' frequency of recommendations for low back pain management.
Table 5.
Comparison of primary care physicians' recommendations for acute non specific low back pain management.
Table 6.
Comparison of HC-PAIRS total scores (pre-intervention), between participants classified as ‘guideline consistent’ and ‘guideline inconsistent’.