Determining the Impact of a New Physiotherapist-led Primary Care Model for Low Back Pain

"Assessment and screening: taking a history; screening for red flags, comorbidities, and risk factors of ongoing pain and disability; physical examination.~Brief individualized intervention at the first visit: effective communication, cognitive reassurance, a few exercises, and advice/strategies to stay active.~Health services navigation: PT assistance with navigating healthcare services based on the assessment findings. First, red-flags requiring emergency or urgent referrals. Next, comorbid conditions that would benefit from care from other healthcare providers. Finally, referral to PT (if appropriate).~Providing additional physiotherapy care to people with an unmet need: Additional physiotherapy care will be provided to patients who have an identified need for physiotherapy but no physiotherapy coverage through private or government health insurance plans."

The physician led primary care intervention will be unstandardized to best reflect standard clinical practice in Canada.