Case Report: Using a Remote Presence Robot to Improve Access to Physical Therapy for People with Chronic Back Disorders in an Underserved Community.

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the delivery of an inter-professional (IP) spinal triage management approach to chronic back disorders using remote presence robotic technology as an innovative form of telerehabilitation in a northern Saskatchewan community. The IP team, consisting of a local nurse practitioner (NP) and a physical therapist in an urban centre, completed a comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal assessment of, and one follow-up visit with, a post-surgical spinal patient. Treatment included detailed education regarding self-management after spinal surgery, provision and progression of home exercises, and reassurance.

Factors Associated with Reduced Perceived Access to Physiotherapy Services among People with Low Back Disorders.

To explore which socio-demographic, clinical, and other factors are associated with reduced perceived access to physiotherapy among people with low back disorders. A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate perceived access to physiotherapy services in a convenience sample of 111 people with low back disorders presenting to a spinal triage service. Participants were asked whether they felt that they had reduced access to physiotherapy as a result of cost, wait time, or location.

Advancing Interprofessional Primary Health Care Services in Rural Settings for People with Chronic Low Back Disorders: Protocol of a Community-Based Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic low back disorders (CLBDs) are a substantial burden on individuals and societies, and impact up to 20% of Canadians. Rural and remote residents are approximately 30% more likely to have CLBDs. Reduced access to appropriate team-based health services, including physical therapy, is a key factor that may magnify the impact of CLBD on pain, physical function, overall quality of life, health-related system costs, and individual costs.

Biopsychosocial predictors of short-term success among people with low back pain referred to a physiotherapy spinal triage service.

Background: A spinal triage assessment service may impact a wide range of patient outcomes. Investigating potential predictors of success or improvement may reveal why some people improve and some do not, as well as help to begin to explain potential mechanisms for improvements. The objective of this study was to determine which factors were associated with improved short-term self-reported pain, function, general health status, and satisfaction in people undergoing a spinal triage assessment performed by physiotherapists.

A spinal triage programme delivered by physiotherapists in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeons.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of participants in a physiotherapist spinal triage programme, compare the profiles of patients for whom surgery was and was not recommended by a surgeon, and determine the surgical yield among those referred to surgeons.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing charts of people who used the service over a 3-year period (2003-2006). Data from up to1,096 people were used in the analysis; complete data were available for 299 people.