[Second opinion on spine surgery : Indication rarely confirmed and conservative treatment options are worthwhile].

Background: Second opinion (SO) on spine surgery was recently implemented as a statutory right in Germany. Prior to this, one health insurer did offer SO to its policy holders including advice on additional conservative treatment options.

Objectives: Which treatment recommendations did 522 patients receive in an interdisciplinary multimodal assessment (IMA) as part of a SO by 4 teams comprising physician, physio- and psychotherapist and what were the long-term consequences?

Methods: Second opinions under a selective contract between insurer and back pain centers were evaluated based on patient-related anamnesis and interdisciplinary multimodal clinical findings including treatment recommendations and patient reports after about 2 years.

[Less surgery and lower cost due to back pain in a care program with an interdisciplinary second opinion procedure : A controlled non-randomized intervention study based on claims data].

Background: There is no evidence of effectiveness for interdisciplinary second opinion procedures (ISOP) for recommended back surgery (BS). Since 2015, AOK Nordost has been offering the care program RückenSPEZIAL comprising a preliminary examination, ISOP, and optional interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMPT). The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of RückenSPEZIAL to reduce BS and back pain-related costs (BPRC) compared to patients who likewise received a recommendation for back surgery but not RückenSPEZIAL.

[Treatment effects and cost-effectiveness of interdisciplinary multimodal pain treatment of patients with back pain : A controlled observational intervention study based on claims data and survey data of participants].

Background: Persons insured by AOK Nordost statutory health insurance (SHI) and on sick leave underwent a 20-day program of interdisciplinary multimodal pain therapy (IMST) following an initial assessment (IA). We evaluated its effectiveness regarding sick leave, utilization/costs of SHI services, and patient-reported characteristics of pain.

Materials And Methods: Participants with >14 days of IMST in 2013-2015 and with data necessary for comparison (intervention group, IG) were matched 1:1 in 2 steps.

[Interdisciplinary multimodal assessment and risk-tailored pathways for patients with back pain : Prospective evaluation of an integrated healthcare delivery project].

Background: Back pain is prevalent in the population, sometimes recurrent and may result in everyday and work disabilities. It is often a reason for seeking healthcare support. Analyzing the need of treatment and chronification-risk tailored intervention is a particular demand in healthcare delivery.

Evidence-based quality indicators for stroke rehabilitation.

Background And Purpose: Previous stroke performance measures consider aspects of postacute treatment, but there are only few specific quality indicators or standards for poststroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to develop a set of indicators for measuring the quality of postacute stroke rehabilitation in inpatient and outpatient facilities using a standardized evidence-based approach.

Methods: Quality indicators were developed between January 2009 and February 2010 by an interdisciplinary board of healthcare professionals from rehabilitation centers cooperating in the Berlin Stroke Alliance.