Conventional Practitioners' Communication of Integrative Alternatives for Chronic Back Pain: An Evidence-based, Patient-centered Model.

Chronic back pain is one of the most common conditions treated in the United States. Informed consent is the communication of treatment alternatives, benefits, and risks and must be provided to patients in most instances. The alternatives provided during this discussion should include all options supported by research evidence and the patient's preferences. This article proposes a model for chronic back pain that includes the communication of complementary therapies as part of a patient-centered, integrative approach to informed consent. The content of informed consent is determined by common law (court cases), legislation, regulations, and evidence-based research. The practitioner's and patient's knowledge and the patient's values should be used to filter this information. Finally, shared decision making should be used to arrive at the patient's final decision regarding informed consent for treatment.