Are patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) useful in low back pain? Experiences of physiotherapists in primary health care in Sweden

Abstract

BackgroundPhysiotherapists in primary health care are required to use patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) to manage patients with low back pain (LBP). ObjectiveOur aim was to explore and describe how physiotherapists in primary care managing patients with LBP, experience the use of PROMs with a focus on facilitating and hindering factors. MethodsWe undertook a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. Fifteen physiotherapists (9 female and 6 male) were included. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed by inductive manifest content analysis. ResultsOur findings resulted in eight main categories: PROMs give structure and increase patient involvement; Patients' motivations to use PROMs; Time and the physiotherapist's clinical priorities; Physiotherapists' routines steer their use of PROMs; Physiotherapists' competences in using PROMs; Organizations and managers steer the use of PROMs; Prerequisites for future use of PROMs; Using PROMs develops the physiotherapy profession. ConclusionOur findings show that using PROMs gives structure and increases patient involvement, but the patient's motivation to use PROMs needs to be taken into consideration. Time and routines influence the use of PROMs and these factors depend on organizational and managerial levels. Using PROMs is believed to help develop the physiotherapy profession. Prerequisites for future use, such as digitalization and increased competence, need to be fulfilled. Future studies should focus on increasing physiotherapists' knowledge about relevant PROMs, and study implementation in clinical practice, thereby improving the physiotherapy profession's quality of care.