Tratamento estratificado para indivíduos com dor lombar nos cuidados de saúde primários

The SPLIT project aims to modify the practice of general practitioners and physiotherapists through an innovative referral system for the physiotherapy treatment of patients with low back pain. This system allocates patients to one of three subgroups, based on the "Keele Start Back Tool," which stratifies individuals into categories of risk for developing persistent and disabling symptoms.

The project is based on a prospective pre- and post-test study, comprising three phases: 1) assessment of the attitudes and behaviors of general practitioners and physiotherapists regarding low back pain, characterization of usual practice, costs, and clinical outcomes; 2) training of general practitioners and physiotherapists to implement the new referral and subgroup-based physiotherapy treatment model; 3) reassessment of the attitudes and behaviors of general practitioners and physiotherapists, the care process, clinical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness after the implementation of the new system.

The project is a collaboration between the School of Health Sciences of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, the NOVA Medical School/Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and ACES Arrábida. It aims to change practices and optimize clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness by integrating internationally produced knowledge. Additionally, it seeks to address current social challenges of the high prevalence and impact of low back pain through the implementation of specialized health services and associated clinical research. The project aims to create value in the context of ACES Arrábida and transfer knowledge and practices to other contexts.