How do low back pain patients conceptualize their expectations regarding treatment? Content analysis of interviews

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to gain insight into how low back pain (LBP) patients conceptualize the construct of expectations regarding treatment. Methods This study was nested within a mixed-method randomized clinical trial comparing three primary care interventions for LBP. A total of 77 participants with LBP lasting longer than 6 weeks were included; semi-structured interviews were conducted querying patients about their expectations for treatment. Also factors influencing their expectations were explored. Interviews were administered following enrollment into the study, but prior to study treatment. Two researchers independently conducted a content analysis using NVIVO 9 software. Results LBP patients' expectations could be categorized in two main domains: outcome and process expectations, each with subdomains. Patients expressed expectations in all subdomains both as values (what they hoped) and probabilities (what they thought was likely). In multiple subdomains, there were differences in the nature (positive vs. negative) and frequency of value and probability expectations. Participants reported that multiple factors influenced their expectations of which past experience with treatment appeared to be of major influence on probability expectations. Conclusion and recommendations This study showed that LBP patients' expectations for treatment are multifaceted. Current measurement instruments do not cover all domains and subdomains of expectations. Therefore, we recommend the development of new or improved measures that make a distinction between value and probability expectations and assess process and/or outcome expectations covering multiple subdomains. Some of the influencing factors found in this study may be useful targets for altering patients' treatment expectations and improving health outcomes.

New perspectives on patient expectations of treatment outcomes: results from qualitative interviews with patients seeking complementary and alternative medicine treatments for chronic low back pain

“…Our findings are consistent with those of Haanstra et al, who found that patients talked about both “values (what they hoped) and probabilities (what they thought likely)” [30]. …”

“I know it’s changed”: a mixed-methods study of the meaning of Global Perceived Effect in chronic neck pain patients

“…Two authors (R.E., M.M.) performed a template style content analysis of the interviews [19][20][21][22]. First, the transcribed texts were independently reviewed to gain a general understanding of the data and establish preliminary codes [10,[19][20][21]23].…”

Socio-Cultural Factors and Experience of Chronic Low Back Pain: a Spanish and Brazilian Patients’ Perspective. A Qualitative Study

“…Designing studies that reflect the perspective of a patient with LBP would considerable help in understanding the suffering associated with the disease [ 14 ], and the implications it has on the patient’s life [ 21 – 23 ]. Moreover, these studies would assist professionals in the decision-making process to treat LBP [ 24 – 26 ], and in understanding the patient’s expectations regarding their treatment [ 4 , 27 – 29 ], and their respective recovery [ 16 , 30 – 31 ]. Also, the effect of disability associated with LBP [ 32 ], and the relevance of factors, such as culture, beliefs and the patients’ daily social environment could be ascertained [ 3 , 12 , 19 ].…”