The following is a summary of “Competences to self-manage low back pain among care-seeking adolescents from general practice – a qualitative study,” published in the November 2023 issue of Primary Care by Straszek, et al.
Limited knowledge exists regarding the interactions between adolescents with low back pain (LBP) and healthcare providers, hindering effective support for these young patients. For a study, researchers sought to explore the timing and nature of interactions between adolescents seeking care for LBP and healthcare providers. Additionally, they sought to identify the health literacy competencies and self-management strategies employed by adolescents in managing their LBP.
Ten semi-structured online interviews were conducted with adolescents aged 15–18 experiencing current or recent LBP, with pain durations ranging from 9 months to 5 years. The interview guide was designed based on existing literature on health literacy and patient self-management. Thematic data analyses were performed, encompassing both semantic and latent themes.
Three major themes emerged: Self-management, Pain and Function, and Communication. While all adolescents faced functional limitations due to pain, the primary motivator for seeking healthcare was an escalation in pain intensity. Despite navigating the healthcare system, challenges in communication with providers were prevalent, with many feeling their concerns were not adequately addressed. Over-the-counter pain medication was a common first-line self-management approach, though its effectiveness was limited. Most adolescents expressed a desire to self-manage LBP but desired more guidance from healthcare providers.
Adolescents tend to seek care for LBP when pain intensity increases, but they often lack effective self-management strategies. Despite their willingness to self-manage, communication barriers with healthcare providers impede collaborative efforts in this regard. Adolescents expressed a need for more guidance from healthcare providers to enhance their self-management capabilities.
Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-023-02212-4