Back pain management: a patient satisfaction study of services.

The objectives of this study were to assess patient satisfaction with the current services provided for back pain, and to increase the level of understanding from the patients' perspective on beliefs about their back pain and how it affects their daily life. The study was conducted in two parts combining both quantitative and qualitative methodology. The main findings in the study revealed a high level of satisfaction with the services provided by the physiotherapy department and mixed levels of satisfaction with the GP. The GP was seen to be an expert yet failed to exhibit up-to-date knowledge about the causes and treatments for back pain. The issue of locus of control was a dominant theme throughout the study and those with stronger internal beliefs had a more positive outlook. The study revealed gaps in the current service provided, and the need for a more easily accessed service was desired.