Clinician resources
This model of care aims to support people with acute low back pain to:
- self-manage their condition
- reduce the risk of spiralling into a chronic pain state
- maintain their participation in work, family and social life to the full.
The model highlights three important areas for improvement:
- more appropriate clinical examination and use of radiological imaging only as necessary
- better use of appropriate analgesia
- enhanced patient education.
Model of care
Published: May 2016.
A primary-care based model to support people with acute low back pain.
Download the model of care (PDF 1.3 MB)
Summary model of care
Published: December 2022.
Revisions to the model in collaboration with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Evaluation
Use of this model in the emergency department was evaluated in a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised trial.
Consumer information
Best practice care for people with acute low back pain
Published: August 2019
Understanding what the model of care aims to address and why.
StreamDirect product no: 2HACI09
Download the best practice guide (PDF 1.3 MB)
Managing low back pain
Revised: December 2022.
Simple, practical information for an individualised back pain recovery plan. Revised in collaboration with State Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Download the fact sheet fact sheet (PDF 1.3 MB)
Arabic العربيةবাংলা Bengali简体中文 Chinese - Simplified繁體中文 Chinese - TraditionalFilipinoGreek ελληνικάItaliano한국어 KoreanNepalese नेपालीTiếng Việt Vietnamese
Research
ACI continues to support research into low back pain and provide evidence to support clinical practice.
- The Sydney Health Partners Emergency Department (SHaPED) trial provided a protocol for implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of an multifaceted intervention in the emergency department.
- Diagnoses and trends in use of imaging for low back pain in four Australian emergency departments between 2012 and 2019 describes the impact of the model on lumbar imaging.
Related resources
Emergency department clinical tools: Acute low back pain for the assessment and management of people with acute low back pain presenting to the emergency department.
Consumer information on chronic pain is available on the Chronic pain website