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BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with huge social and economic impact. There is extensive extant literature investigating the efficacy of various management approaches ranging from surgery to psychological interventions to exercise. However, this work has focused almost entirely on efficacy in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, and psychological changes. This focus has meant that unanticipated social or socio-cultural effects of back pain health care have received little attention. ObjectiveThis study aimed to scrutinize some of the conceptual tensions inherent in contemporary LBP health care approaches and to highlight their material effects. Methods We used a qualitative research design adapted from discourse analysis, which was able to consider key discursive tensions underpinning a LBP website. Data collection involved observing the interaction between adult participants with LBP and the website in the following two ways: (1) observational interview, where participants were observed interacting with the website for the first time and asked to discuss their responses to it as they moved through the website and (2) photo-elicitation, where for a month after their first use of the website, people took photographs of what was happening in their lives when they thought of the website and discussed them in a follow-up interview. We used a postcritical discourse analysis approach to examine data produced from these methods. ResultsOur postcritical discourse analysis identified key discursive tensions, including between living with and reducing LBP, keeping active and resting, and patient choice and giving guidance. ConclusionsOur analysis suggests ways for considering less dominant perspectives without having to discard the benefits of dominant ones. Although the focus of LBP discourses has changed (less biomedical and less about cure), they still hold on to some of the problematic dominant paradigmatic concepts such as biomedicine and individualism. The tensions we highlight are likely to be highly useful for teaching and implementing LBP care across multiple health care settings.

BackgroundOnline support groups (OSGs) are one way for people with chronic diseases, their family or friends, and health professionals to communicate, gain information, and provide social support. As the number of peer-to-peer OSGs for chronic musculoskeletal conditions grows, it is important to gain insight into the different designs of groups available, who is accessing them, if and how they may be effective, and what strategies are being used to implement or increase consumer engagement. ObjectiveThe objectives of this systematic review of people with musculoskeletal conditions were to (1) describe the design features (functions, usage options, moderation, and expert input) of peer-to-peer OSGs, (2) describe the characteristics of the individuals using peer-to-peer OSGs, (3) synthesize the evidence on outcomes of participation, and (4) identify strategies used in the delivery and maintenance of OSGs. MethodsA search comprising terms related to the population (people with musculoskeletal disorders) and the intervention (peer-to-peer OSGs) was conducted in 6 databases. Results were filtered from 1990 (internet inception) to February 2019. Studies identified in the search were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria using a 2-step process. Quantitative studies were appraised by 2 reviewers using the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Qualitative studies were appraised by 2 different reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Extracted data were synthesized narratively. ResultsWe examined 21 studies with low to moderate risk of bias. Of these studies, 13 studies included OSGs hosted on public platforms, 11 studies examined OSGs that were conducted in English, and 6 studies used moderators or peer leaders to facilitate engagement. Studies either reported the number of OSG members (n=1985 across all studies) or the number of posts (range: 223-200,000). The majority of OSG members were females who were not full-time employees and with varied levels of education. There were no randomized controlled trials measuring the efficacy of OSGs. Qualitative and quantitative studies identified empowerment, social support, self-management behavior, and health literacy as primary constructs to measure OSG efficacy. Neutral or marginal improvement was reported in these constructs. Sharing experiences and a greater level of engagement appeared to have an important influence on OSGs efficacy. The extent to which members posted on the website influenced engagement. ConclusionsAcross a diverse range of designs, languages, included features, and delivery platforms, peer-to-peer OSGs for chronic musculoskeletal conditions attract predominantly female participants of all ages and education levels. The level of participation of a member appears to be related to their perceived benefit, health literacy, and empowerment. Future studies are needed to identify which design and maintenance strategies have superior efficacy and whether there are concomitant improvements in health outcomes for people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions resulting from participation in OSGs. Trial RegistrationPROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42018090326; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42018090326

People increasingly use the internet to obtain information about health complaints, including low back pain (LBP). LBP is the leading cause of disability internationally, and outcomes are worsening. There is an urgent need for resources that aid improvement of outcomes. There have been calls to engage consumers in the development of resources, but this has rarely been implemented. MyBackPain is a website that was developed with extensive involvement of consumers to ensure that the resource meets their needs for content and presentation. This paper aimed to describe the multistep process undertaken to develop the MyBackPain website and provide an extensive evaluation of its impact. Development of MyBackPain involved 10 steps, many of which have been published in the academic literature. These steps included consultation regarding consumer needs, evaluation of existing internet resources, identification of key messages to be reinforced, identification of frequently asked questions, consensus for content, content development (including development of algorithms to guide tailoring of the user experience), development of consumer-focused evidence-based treatment summaries, development of descriptions of health care providers, and testing. Evaluation included qualitative examination of people’s interactions with the website and its effects on their daily lives and an ongoing randomized controlled trial of impact of use of the site on people’s LBP-related health literacy, clinical outcomes, and treatment choices. It is hoped that the website can aid in the reduction of the massive burden of LBP and provide a template for the development of resources for other conditions.

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, disabling, and prevalent disorder. As there is no cure for OA, long-term self-management is paramount. Support groups (SGs) can facilitate self-management among people living with OA. Understanding preferences in design and features of SGs, including online SGs (OSGs), among people with OA can inform future development of SG interventions for this condition. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate health care– and health information–seeking behavior, digital literacy, and preferences for the design of SGs in people with OA. The study also explored the perceived barriers and enablers to being involved in OSGs. MethodsAn online survey study was conducted with a mixed method design (quantitative and qualitative). Individuals aged ≥45 years with knee, hip, or back pain for ≥3 months were recruited from an extant patient database of the Institute of Bone and Joint Research via email invitations. Quantitative elements of the survey included questions about sociodemographic background; health care– and health information–seeking behavior; digital literacy; and previous participation in, and preferences for, SGs and OSGs. Respondents were classified into 2 groups (Yes-SG and No-SG) based on previous participation or interest in an SG. Group differences were assessed with Chi-square tests (significance level set at 5%). Responses to free-text questions relating to preferences regarding OSG engagement were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive thematic analysis. ResultsA total of 415 people with OA completed the survey (300/415, 72.3% females; 252/415, 61.0% lived in a major city). The Yes-SG group included 307 (307/415, 73.9%) participants. Between the Yes-SG and No-SG groups, there were no differences in sociodemographic characteristics, health care– and health information–seeking behavior, and digital literacy. An online format was preferred by 126/259 (48.7%) of the Yes-SG group. Trained peer facilitators were preferred, and trustworthiness of advice and information were highly prioritized by the respondents. Qualitative analysis for OSG participation revealed 5 main themes. Lack of time and motivation were the main barriers identified. The main enablers were related to accessibility, enjoyment of the experience, and the content of the discussed information. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the preferences in design features and content of SGs and OSGs and may assist in the further development of such groups.

Background: Universities are major producers of research evidence, and timely translation and uptake of evidence to sectors such as healthcare is imperative to inform best practice. Knowledge translation (KT) is complex and there is increasing awareness of the need for KT to facilitate evidence-informed changes, with grant funders increasingly requiring researchers to demonstrate KT and research impact. Despite this, there is little research about KT in university settings related to healthcare research. Aims and objectives: To evaluate the practice, attitudes, knowledge, confidence and perceived support needs in KT and communicating impact of university staff and higher degree research (HDR) students. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 42 staff and 19 HDR students in a Health and Rehabilitation Sciences School in an Australian University setting. Descriptive and correlational quantitative analyses and qualitative content analysis of responses to open-ended questions was carried out. Findings: Participants regarded skills in KT and communicating impact as necessary for their work, and wanted support to build their capacity. Despite previous training for staff in some areas of KT and high levels of research experience of the staff in this sample, the level of knowledge, confidence and frequency of their KT practices was relatively low. Discussion and conclusion: There is a need to design and evaluate initiatives which aim to improve knowledge and skills, such as training and resources, as well as organisational structures that facilitate staff to plan and carry out KT activities concurrently with research production.

The binary opposition between childhood developmentalism and the sociology of childhood is unproductive due to childhood research's uncritical adoption of childhood concepts of 'agency', and 'ethics', with minimal relational consideration of children and childhood socio-materialities. Popular childhood methods warrant critical discussions about their underlying assumptions of 'children's voices', how researchers consider 'data'. In light of innovative childhood methodologies, it raises the question for researchers of how to ethically engage with young children in both study design and dynamic fieldwork practices. This work attends to these layered epistemological-pragmatic debates through the example of an encounter between a 5-year-old child and a novice researcher during which death and dying are discussed. By closely examining the developments in theoretical conceptualisation, research protocol(s) design, and fieldwork experiences, this work highlights that childhood research is always becoming, thus requiring researchers to be able to both 'protocol' and 'un-protocol'. Juxtaposing the dynamic 'important ethical moments' and procedural ethics guidelines through new materialist and affective lenses, this work argues that materiality and response-ability are key in understanding children's agency, childhood ethics, and the assemblage composed of children, researcher, and childhood socio-materialities in childhood research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trauma is common and may lead to lasting adverse effects on health. Trauma-informed practice does not treat trauma but uses a strengths-based approach to encourage engagement in services. Objective: To understand how physiotherapy attends to trauma-informed principles. Methods: This qualitative ethnographic study was set in an Australian hospital. Three data collection methods were used, including observations of clinical practice, interactive reflexive group discussions with physiotherapists, and interviews with patients. Data analysis included an initial inductive phase followed by thematic mapping to trauma-informed principles. Critical reflexivity was used throughout to examine how the authors' perspectives and assumptions affected the analysis. Results: Twelve observations of consultations, ten interviews with people receiving physiotherapy, and five group discussions with physiotherapists were conducted. Themes produced within each of five principles of trauma-informed care included: Safety: not just a number, uncertainty beyond managing physical risks, upbeat approach as default needs balance, pragmatic environments inadequate; Trustworthiness: touch needs further consideration, assumed consent; Choice: limited options; Collaboration: let's do it together, variable consideration of the patient as expert, task focus, pushing the "right" treatment, missing insight into power imbalance; Empowerment: extending function and independence, building nonphysical skills but lack of clarity. Conclusion: Physiotherapy incorporates crucial aspects of trauma-informed care, but opportunities exist to enhance physiotherapists' skills and knowledge, particularly in relation to non-physical safety considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Established research supports collaborative patient-clinician communication as a means of improving pain management and decreasing opioid use by patients with chronic pain. However, much of this scholarship emphasises clinicians' capacities to shape and improve communication; limited research investigates patients' roles in this process. Drawing on 40 ethnographic observations of patient-clinician interactions, clinical spaces and case conferences within one specialist pain clinic in Brisbane, Australia, this paper investigates how and why patients present themselves in particular ways within consultations. Our theoretical lens combines concepts from Goffman on patienthood and stigma with Foucauldian theories of pastoral and disciplinary power. Findings suggest that elements of the clinical environment – namely posters – usher patients towards presenting in what we conceptualise as the 'good pain patient' role. In this role, patients demonstrate that they are moral, responsible, and contributing members of society. Yet, such a role is problematic to opening communication, with the role constraining what is socially acceptable for patients with chronic pain to say, do, or feel. In recognising how clinical contexts facilitate problematic good pain patient presentations, this paper directs attention to the spatial and relational nature of implicit clinical expectations and constrained good pain patient presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and other related identities (LGBTQIA+) experience challenges with healthcare, including physiotherapy. To understand potential contributions to poor experiences, this study explored physiotherapists' experiences and perspectives about working with members of LGBTQIA+ communities. Methods: This study employed a qualitative research design, suitable for exploring the experiences and perspectives of individuals within the physiotherapy context. The sample consisted of physiotherapists working in Australia who participated in a larger survey study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews which were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted using a relativistic and queer theoretical framework with a reflexive thematic approach. Results: Eighteen physiotherapists with diverse sexual orientations participated in the interviews. While all participants identified as women or men, not all used binary gender pronouns. Five key themes were developed: 1) "anti-discrimination" regarding choice of language and providing safe environments; 2) "current and historical discrimination" against LGBTQIA+ individuals; 3) "taking an equality approach" when working with LGBTQIA+ patients; 4) "knowledge of LGBTQIA+ health" in a broad sense and specifically with transgender and gender-diverse people; and 5) "managing own reactions" with respect to individual biases and discomfort. Conclusion: Underpinning all themes was the overarching concept of cis/hetero/endonormativity. Assuming normativity when working with LGBTQIA+ patients, is likely to have negative effects on patients' mental health, the therapeutic relationship and quality of care. In order to improve diversity, safety, inclusion and equity of care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, it is vital that normativity within physiotherapy is challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For those with chronic, progressive conditions, high quality clinical care requires attention to the human dimensions of illness--emotional, social, and moral aspects--which co-exist with biophysical dimensions of disease. Reflexivity brings historical, institutional, and socio-cultural influences on clinical activities to the fore, enabling consideration of new possibilities. Continuing education methodologies that encourage reflexivity may improve clinical practice and trainee learning, but are rare. We piloted a dialogical methodology with a children's rehabilitation team to foster reflexivity (patient population: young people with Duchenne's or Becker's muscular dystrophy). The methodology involved three facilitated, interactive dialogues with the clinical team. Each dialogue involved clinicians learning to apply a social theory (Mol's "The Logic of Care") to ethnographic fieldnotes of clinical appointments, to make routine practice less familiar and thus open to examination. Discourse analyses that preserve group dynamics were completed to evaluate the extent to which the dialogues spurred reflexive dialogue within the team. Overall, imagining impacts of clinical care on people's lives--emphasized in the social theory applied to fieldnotes--showed promise, shifting how clinicians interpreted routine practices and spurring many plans for change. However, this reflexive orientation was not sustained throughout, particularly when examining entrenched assumptions regarding 'best practices'. Clinicians defended institutional practices by co-constructing the metaphor of "balancing logics" in care delivery. When invoked, the balance metaphor deflected attention from emotional, social, and moral impacts of clinical care on patients and their families. Emergent findings highlight the value of analysing reflexivity-oriented dialogues using discourse analysis methods.

Background: Despite Australia's multiculturalism, physiotherapists from minority ethnic groups, including Muslim women, may experience social exclusion in physiotherapy training based on research in other countries. Objective: Explore Muslim women's experiences of physiotherapy education in Australia and how these experiences could be improved (if needed). Methods: Qualitative research approach. Data were produced through semi-structured interviews and analyzed with reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Eleven participants were interviewed. Four main themes were produced: 1) omnipresent concerns about disrobing, physical proximity and touch in mixed-gender settings; 2) physiotherapy seen as a culturally inappropriate profession for Muslim women; 3) prevalence of an "Aussie" student environment; and 4) lack of systemic inclusivity. Suggestions to improve inclusivity, involved: systemically embedding measures such as alternatives for disrobing and proximity between genders; and promoting diverse social activities. Conclusion: Results suggest Australian physiotherapy education lacks systemic cultural sensitivity for Muslim women. To reduce the burden for change being placed on Muslim women students, culturally responsive institutional protocols and staff training could be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]