'Overhaul Medicare and perhaps train us better': a qualitative study of primary care general practitioners' perspectives on how to implement the low back pain clinical care standards.

Abstract

Introduction: In September 2022, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare released the Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standards ('Care Standard'). We aimed to explore general practitioners' (GPs') perspectives on how the Care Standard can be implemented, with a view to identifying what strategies could be used to do so.

Methods: This qualitative study is underpinned by a critical realist philosophy. We interviewed 16 GPs across Australia with experience working with patients who present with low back pain (LBP). Interview questions were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, and interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: We identified three themes: theme 1-'I have my own guidelines and ways of doing things'-guidelines and standards are not relevant for experienced GPs' captures the perceived unnecessariness of seeking advice from guidelines and standards for LBP; theme 2-I agree with the standards but the system, clinicians and patients hinder my ability to enact them-reports factors impacting the will and ability of clinicians to implement the standards in practice; theme 3-Change the system and train us better-discusses potential strategies to implement the Care Standard: changing funding and infrastructure (eg, improving GPs' reimbursement for time spent, investing in publicly funded allied health services); offering training and education (eg, continuing professional development courses, improving communication training in undergraduate courses), developing stakeholder relationships (eg, primary health networks, Health Pathways), supporting clinicians through interactive assistance (eg, reminders, embedding assessment tools in existing systems), engaging/educating patients and using evaluative strategies such as auditing.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the multidimensional nature of the challenges GPs face, and the strategies they suggest, calls for a multimodal and integrated approach to implementing the Care Standards, including system changes.