Designing an online resource for people with low back pain: health-care provider perspectives
Mandy Nielsen A B , Gwendolen Jull A and Paul W. Hodges A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A The University of Queensland, Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: a.nielsen@uq.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(2) 159-166 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14131
Submitted: 28 August 2014 Accepted: 4 December 2014 Published: 24 February 2015
Abstract
People with low back pain (LBP) seek education and information from the Internet. Existing LBP websites are often of poor quality, and disparities have been identified between patient and health-care provider evaluations of LBP websites. This study aimed to identify health-care provider perspectives on desirable content for a proposed LBP website and how this information should be presented. It complements an earlier study of LBP patient (consumer) perspectives. A qualitative descriptive study, encompassing focus groups and telephone interviews, was conducted with 42 health-care professionals practising in the LBP field. Four categories of information were identified: explaining LBP; treatment and management options; myth-busting information; and communication with health-care professionals. Presentation preferences included: use of visual media; interactivity; and useability and readability. Comparison with the consumer study identified differences with regard to: depth and breadth of diagnostic and treatment information; provision of lay person experiences and stories; and capacity for consumer-to-consumer interaction online. Views of both consumers and health-care providers are critical when developing an online LBP resource. Failure to address the needs of both stakeholder groups diminishes the potential of the resource to improve consumer outcomes.
Additional keywords: health information, Internet, patient education.
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