Support and preferences for intermediate health care services for back and neck pain: a survey among members of the Dutch patient association for spinal pain

Abstract

Rationale, aims and objectives:

Recent health care reforms in the Netherlands have led to the introduction of intermediate health care. Intermediate health care combines features of primary care and secondary (hospital) care. It is characterized by a task shift from hospital care to primary care. The initial experiences of medical specialists and general practitioners with intermediate health care are positive. However, the patients' perspectives regarding this reform are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the level of support from patients with back and/or neck pain for intermediate health care services and to provide insight into their preferences how this care should be organized. Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in which members of the patient association for spinal pain in the Netherlands completed electronic questionnaires to measure the level of support and preferred organization of intermediate health care services. Results:

Questionnaires were returned by 367 patients (response rate: 51%). Respondents supported the concept of intermediate health care (numeric rating scale: 7/10). Aspects considered important for intermediate health care included knowledge and expertise of staff, multidisciplinary cooperation, patient contact time, reimbursement via health insurance, quality control of care, evidence-based treatments and electronic medical records. Although intermediate care is a health care reform, patients continued to think according to traditional primary and secondary care constitutions. Conclusions:

Patients with neck and/or back pain support the introduction of intermediate health care services and have explicit preferences regarding its organization, but may need to be better informed when intermediate care is introduced.