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Title: Primary healthcare physicians' adherence to acute lower back pain referral guidelines in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Author: Albahlal JM, Alhandi AA, Aldihan KA, Alsultan OH, Alhusain FA, Alqahtani HM, Aleissa SI. Journal: Saudi Med J; 2018 Aug; 39(8):838-841. PubMed ID: 30106424. Abstract: To assess the primary healthcare physicians' adherence to referral guidelines for acute low back pain and if there is any association with experience level. Methods: A cross-sectional study held in Tertiary care hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Questionnaires were distributed in-person between October 2017 and January 2018 among 100 primary healthcare physicians, with a 79% response rate. Results: The distribution between male to female was 43%-57%. Twenty-five percent of physicians encounter 1-5 patients weekly, while 28% encounter more than 15 patients. The physicians included had a higher than expected adherence to referral guidelines with percentages ranging between 63-94% referral rates for back pain related red flags. A trend was noted where there was an increase in referral decisions with increased experience when encountering red flags. More experienced physicians were more likely to refer when encountering; pain worse after prolonged sitting, limited mobility, and pain worse while coughing or sneezing (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: Primary healthcare physicians working in one health system in Riyadh had a higher than expected adherence to referral guidelines for back pain related red flags.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]