Interdisciplinary Practice Models for Older Adults With Back Pain
Interdisciplinary Practice Models for Older Adults With Back Pain: A Qualitative Evaluation
SOURCE: Gerontologist. 2017 (Jan 11) [Epub]
Stacie A. Salsbury, PhD, RN, Christine M. Goertz, DC, PhD,
Robert D. Vining, DC, Maria A. Hondras, DC, MPH, PhD,
Andrew A. Andresen, MD, Cynthia R. Long, PhD,
Kevin J. Lyons, PhD, Lisa Z. Killinger, DC and
Robert B. Wallace, MD, MS
Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research,
Palmer College of Chiropractic,
Davenport, Iowa.
PURPOSE: Older adults seek health care for low back pain from multiple providers who may not coordinate their treatments. This study evaluated the perceived feasibility of a patient-centered practice model for back pain, including facilitators for interprofessional collaboration between family medicine physicians and doctors of chiropractic.
DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative evaluation was a component of a randomized controlled trial of 3 interdisciplinary models for back pain management: usual medical care; concurrent medical and chiropractic care; and collaborative medical and chiropractic care with interprofessional education, clinical record exchange, and team-based case management. Data collection included clinician interviews, chart abstractions, and fieldnotes analyzed with qualitative content analysis. An organizational-level framework for dissemination of health care interventions identified norms/attitudes, organizational structures and processes, resources, networks-linkages, and change agents that supported model implementation.
RESULTS: Clinicians interviewed included 13 family medicine residents and 6 chiropractors. Clinicians were receptive to interprofessional education, noting the experience introduced them to new colleagues and the treatment approaches of the cooperating profession. Clinicians exchanged high volumes of clinical records, but found the logistics cumbersome. Team-based case management enhanced information flow, social support, and interaction between individual patients and the collaborating providers. Older patients were viewed positively as change agents for interprofessional collaboration between these provider groups.
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