Improving Primary Care for Low Back Pain Patients by Advanced Practice Providers

Clinical teams do not consistently follow guidelines in assessing and treating acute low back pain. This activity will improve the knowledge of and communication among advanced practice providers and physical therapists, chiropractors, and other members of the performance/rehabilitation team.

Target Audience

The target audience for this training is practicing nurses, physician assistants, and other healthcare or academic professionals with an interest in improving primary care for low back pain patients.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to achieve each of the following objectives:

Title of the Training

Speaker

Objectives:

The Burden of Low Back Pain

Anthony Delitto

PhD, PT, FAPTA

  • Recognize the burden of low back pain on patients and society.

Guidelines for Low Back Pain

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Identify and recall the 3 do’s and 3 don’ts of LBP management according to the most current primary care guidelines.
  • Recognize the consequences of not following the guidelines.

Biopsychosocial Model

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Recognize how biopsychosocial factors can impact the management of LBP.
  • Identify psychological risk factors by using the STarT Back screening tool.

Classification System for Non-Pharmacological Management of Low Back Pain

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Apply a classification system and clinical decision algorithm to guide the choice of non-pharmacological interventions for LBP.

Guidelines for Pharmacological Management of Low Back Pain

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Identify the key first and second-line medications that are recommended by guidelines for acute and chronic LBP.

How to Manage Non-Responding Patients

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Identify those patients who are not responding as expected.
  • Apply management strategies that are matched to the different types of non-responders.

Appropriate Indications for Diagnostic Imaging

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Apply evidence-based recommendations for appropriate ordering of x-ray and MRI.
  • Recognize the different characteristics of back-related leg pain and how they affect decision-making about the need for diagnostic imaging.

Appropriate Indications for Specialty Referrals

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Apply key clinical findings to make appropriate referrals to medical specialists.
  • Differentiate between patients who require a surgical vs. non-surgical specialty referral.

Putting It All Together

Michael Schneider, DC, PhD

  • Classify patients into red, yellow and green light categories for managing LBP.
  • Apply the pharmacologcal and non-pharmacological guidelines mapped to each category.

 

 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 2.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 2.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 2.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/04/2024
Course expires: 
09/04/2025

Disclaimer Statement

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Faculty:

Planning Committee:

  • Grant Martsolf, PHD, MPH, RN, FAAN - Professor, UPMC Health Systems Chair in Nursing Science, Acute & Tertiary Care
  • Michael Schneider, DC, PhD - Director, Doctor of Chiropractic Program, Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh
  • Samannaaz Khoja, PT, PhD - Research Assistant Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh

Course Directors:

  • David Beck, EdD, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA - Vice Dean, SHRS; Associate Professor, Department of PA Studies, School of Health and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh
  • Joel Stevens, PhD, DC - Senior Implementation Scientist at the University of Pittsburgh Health Policy Institute.

Presenters (in alphabetical order):

  • Anthony Delitto, PhD, PT, FAPTA - Dean and Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh
  • Michael Schneider, DC, PhD - Director, Doctor of Chiropractic Program, Professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh

Disclosure Statement
No members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships with any proprietary entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients to disclose.

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 2.50 contact hours.

Physician Assistant (AAPA)
The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 2.50 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 2.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 2.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 2.50 Attendance
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