Abstract
Keywords: Low back pain; feasibility study; general practice; recruitment; retention; medical informatics app;
evidence-based-treatment
Background:
We plan to compare satisfaction with a standard website versus satisfaction with a participatory driven webapplication in a future randomised controlled trial (RCT). The web-application may facilitate the delivery of
evidence-based advice and information to patients with low back pain (LBP) in general practice.
Research questions:
The aim was to conduct the main trial in a miniature setting with the purpose to report on the lessons learned
from recruitment and report on reasons for loss to follow-up.
Method:
This is a feasibility study intended to inform the RCT. The GP invited adult patient with non-specific LBP to
participate by handing out an envelope with a link to the project homepage. Patients were told that the
purpose was to test the setup of the study, including the randomisation module and data collection. Patients
were informed that the research team needed their phone number to discuss any challenges with access to
the website or with using online information to read about their LBP and finally to fill out online questionnaires.
Results:
We recruited 12 women and 8 men from two general practices with each practice recruiting for three months.
Reasons for dropping out: loss of envelope, forgot about the study, had become pain-free and the trial was not
relevant to them, and the login procedures was too demanding. Full follow-up data was available in only three
patients (15%).
Conclusions:
Based on the high loss to follow-up, we do not consider it feasible to conduct the full-scale RCT as planned.
Points for discussion:
Modifying inclusion criteria to patients expressing an interest in using online health information may improve
follow-up rates
Letting patients respond with their immediate satisfaction directly after inclusion in the general practice may
ensure follow-up data
The web-application can be included in a larger multi-faceted intervention, making the combined intervention
seem more relevant to study participants
evidence-based-treatment
Background:
We plan to compare satisfaction with a standard website versus satisfaction with a participatory driven webapplication in a future randomised controlled trial (RCT). The web-application may facilitate the delivery of
evidence-based advice and information to patients with low back pain (LBP) in general practice.
Research questions:
The aim was to conduct the main trial in a miniature setting with the purpose to report on the lessons learned
from recruitment and report on reasons for loss to follow-up.
Method:
This is a feasibility study intended to inform the RCT. The GP invited adult patient with non-specific LBP to
participate by handing out an envelope with a link to the project homepage. Patients were told that the
purpose was to test the setup of the study, including the randomisation module and data collection. Patients
were informed that the research team needed their phone number to discuss any challenges with access to
the website or with using online information to read about their LBP and finally to fill out online questionnaires.
Results:
We recruited 12 women and 8 men from two general practices with each practice recruiting for three months.
Reasons for dropping out: loss of envelope, forgot about the study, had become pain-free and the trial was not
relevant to them, and the login procedures was too demanding. Full follow-up data was available in only three
patients (15%).
Conclusions:
Based on the high loss to follow-up, we do not consider it feasible to conduct the full-scale RCT as planned.
Points for discussion:
Modifying inclusion criteria to patients expressing an interest in using online health information may improve
follow-up rates
Letting patients respond with their immediate satisfaction directly after inclusion in the general practice may
ensure follow-up data
The web-application can be included in a larger multi-faceted intervention, making the combined intervention
seem more relevant to study participants
Original language | English |
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Publication date | Oct 2020 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2020 |
Event | 90th EGPRN MEETING Virtual Conference: European General Practice Research Network - Duration: 16 Oct 2020 → 17 Oct 2020 |
Conference
Conference | 90th EGPRN MEETING Virtual Conference |
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Period | 16/10/20 → 17/10/20 |
Keywords
- physiotherapy