Sciatica Patients’ Interpretations of Satisfaction and Improvement

Surprisingly little is known about the things back pain patients consider when deciding their satisfaction with care, the importance placed on satisfaction or the factors they consider when assessing their overall improvement.

Researchers at Northwestern performed a unique qualitative study to explore these issues. A total of 31 individuals suffering from sciatica were recruited to participate in in-person interviews. When asked which issues they considered when deciding their satisfaction with care, the most frequently identified themes were change in pain, personnel, and the treatment experience. When assessing their overall improvement, all participants considered whether their pain had changed. In response to the question asking participants which outcomes they considered to be most important, severity of pain and quality of life were most commonly cited.

Project Status: Complete

Study Name: Sciatica Patients’ Interpretations of Satisfaction and Improvement

Principal Investigator: Roni Evans, DC, MS

Funding Agency: Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research

Grant number: Not applicable

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: Not applicable

Related Publications:

Evans RL, Maiers MJ, Bronfort G. What do patients think? Results of a mixed methods pilot study assessing sciatica patients’ interpretations of satisfaction and improvement. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2003 Oct;26(8):502-509.