Éducation thérapeutique et lombalgie chronique

Abstract

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has never been evaluated for patients with chronic low back pain. However, many publications have shown that multidisciplinary approaches are effective. There is no specific international guideline. However, NICE has suggested to take into account patients’ expectations and preferences. TPE establishes a thorough evaluation during an educational diagnosis. Therefore, an appropriate treatment program, including pain-coping strategies, may be proposed to each patient. Indeed, patients need to be active and should be involved as much as possible in a shared medical decision. This may be a major condition of success. Many efficient tools are available, such as information, re-learning, re-formulation, activity-exposure and problem solving. Therefore, educational objectives are to make the patient more active and self-dependent. Different modalities are available: individual or collective education, training workshops focused on one specific objective, relaxation, medication and self-management.