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Open Access 01-04-2020 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Research

Factors Influencing Primary Care Providers’ Unneeded Lumbar Spine MRI Orders for Acute, Uncomplicated Low-Back Pain: a Qualitative Study

Authors: Andrea L. Nevedal, PhD, Eleanor T. Lewis, PhD, Justina Wu, MPH, Josephine Jacobs, PhD, Jeffrey G. Jarvik, MD, Roger Chou, MD, Paul G. Barnett, PhD

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Issue 4/2020

Abstract

Background

Clinical practice guidelines suggest that magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine (LS-MRI) is unneeded during the first 6 weeks of acute, uncomplicated low-back pain. Unneeded LS-MRIs do not improve patient outcomes, lead to unnecessary surgeries and procedures, and cost the US healthcare system about $300 million dollars per year. However, why primary care providers (PCPs) order unneeded LS-MRI for acute, uncomplicated low-back pain is poorly understood.

Objective

To characterize and explain the factors contributing to PCPs ordering unneeded LS-MRI for acute, uncomplicated low-back pain.

Design

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.

Participants

Veterans Affairs PCPs identified from administrative data as having high or low rates of guideline-concordant LS-MRI ordering in 2016.

Approach

Providers were interviewed about their use of LS-MRI for acute, uncomplicated low-back pain and factors contributing to their decision-making. Directed content analysis of transcripts was conducted to identify and compare environmental-, patient-, and provider-level factors contributing to unneeded LS-MRI.

Key Results

Fifty-five PCPs participated (8.6% response rate). Both low (n = 33) and high (n = 22) guideline-concordant providers reported that LS-MRIs were required for specialty care referrals, but they differed in how other environmental factors (stringency of radiology utilization review, management of patient travel burden, and time constraints) contributed to LS-MRI ordering patterns. Low- and high-guideline-concordant providers reported similar patient factors (beliefs in value of imaging and pressure on providers). However, provider groups differed in how provider-level factors (guideline familiarity and agreement, the extent to which they acquiesced to patients, and belief in the value of LS-MRI) contributed to LS-MRI ordering patterns.

Conclusions

Results describe how diverse environmental, patient, and provider factors contribute to unneeded LS-MRI for acute, uncomplicated low-back pain. Prior research using a single intervention to reduce unneeded LS-MRI has been ineffective. Results suggest that multifaceted de-implementation strategies may be required to reduce unneeded LS-MRI.

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Title: Factors Influencing Primary Care Providers’ Unneeded Lumbar Spine MRI Orders for Acute, Uncomplicated Low-Back Pain: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Andrea L. Nevedal, PhD
Eleanor T. Lewis, PhD
Justina Wu, MPH
Josephine Jacobs, PhD
Jeffrey G. Jarvik, MD
Roger Chou, MD
Paul G. Barnett, PhD
Publication date: 01-04-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Care
Back Pain
Back Pain
Back Pain
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05410-y

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Abstract

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Key Results

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