Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess concordance in the assessment of back pain between general practitioners (GPs) in the south-east of Scotland and specialist neurosurgical consultants based at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Specialists agreed with the GP's working diagnosis of surgical pathology (or absence of a surgical diagnosis) in almost 85% of all patients referred to the specialists by the GPs for further management. Absence of surgical pathology was agreed on by the GPs and specialist back surgeons in 25% of all referrals. These figures indicate that modern back pain management needs to encompass specialists other than those simply offering surgical relief. The integrated care pathway tool offers an opportunity for a truly integrated approach to all stages of back pain management.
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