“A tool to support, not replace”: patient and general practitioner perceptions of digital decision support tools for back pain

Sep 28, 2026

Back pain is the leading musculoskeletal reason for general practice visits, and consultation time constraints can shape diagnostic and evidence-based care decisions. This qualitative study explored patient and general practitioner (GP) perspectives on digital decision-support tools for back pain management. Separate focus groups (June–August 2024) were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis to identify patient, GP, and shared facilitators and concerns.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Background

Clinical practice guidelines and challenges

Digital decision-support tools

Study aim

“A tool to support, not replace”: patient and general practitioner perceptions of digital decision support tools for back pain Avi Goodman 1,2, Aidan G. Cashin 1,2, Isha Mishra 1,2, Mia Ryan 1,2, Jennifer McBride 1, Steven Marsh2, Tianle Xie2, Gustavo Batista3, Oyungerel Byambasuren4, James H. McAuley 1,2 Rodrigo R. N. Rizzo 1,2, * 1School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia 2Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia 3School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia 4 Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia *Corresponding author. Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Margarete Ainsworth Building, Barker St (PO Box 1165), Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia. E-mail: [r.rizzo@neura.edu.au](r.rizzo@neura.edu.au) Abstract Background: Back pain is the leading musculoskeletal reason for visits in general practice. Time constraints on consultations affect diagnostic decisions and the delivery of evidence-based care. This study explored patient and general practitioner (GP) perspectives on digital tools to support decision-making in back pain management. Methods: We conducted separate focus groups between June and August 2024 with people experiencing back pain and with registered Australian GPs. We analyzed data using thematic analysis with an inductive approach. Results: We interviewed 23 participants: 13 with back pain and 10 GPs. Patients appreciated digital decision-support tools for increasing knowledge and clarifying persistent questions after consultations. GPs, in contrast, emphasized red flag screening, symptom monitoring, and time savings. Shared concerns included information trustworthiness, lack of personalization, and cost, while facilitators included integration into practice management systems and GP endorsement. Conclusions: Our findings highlight opportunities to integrate digital decision-support tools at multiple points in GPs’ workflows—before, during, and after consultations—to address the needs of both patients with back pain and GPs. When used before consultations, such tools can help patients prepare by increasing their knowledge, supporting more productive discussions, informing decisions about whether a visit is necessary, and assisting GPs in identifying potential red flags. During consultations, the tools can provide clinicians with updates on current evidence and supply educational resources or prescriptions, particularly for evidence-based lifestyle interventions. After consultations, they can support follow-up by monitoring the patient’s condition and addressing any persistent questions that may arise. Keywords: primary health care; pain management; qualitative research; digital health; back pain Background Back pain constitutes a substantial burden for individuals and society, and for the past three decades, it has remained the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide [1]. The condition generates significant healthcare costs, with expenses for consultations, diagnostic procedures, treatments, and hospital admissions estimated at €2.3 to €2.6 billion annually [2]. Clinical practice guidelines offer recommendations for managing back pain in general practice [3] . The current recommendation involves assessing patients, screening for specific causes, providing referral when needed, and, for most individuals, offering advice and information, selecting appropriate non-drug treatments, and, for some, prescribing drug treatments for acute or chronic back pain [4] . Treatment decisions should reflect shared discussions that consider the evidence, patient preferences, and contextual factors [5] . However, implementing these recommendations remains challenging [6]. Patients often arrive with misconceptions about back pain, multisite pain, and comorbidities [7], which

FAQs

What was the study investigating regarding back pain care?

The study examined patient and general practitioner perceptions of digital decision support tools for managing back pain.

How were participants and data collected and analyzed?

The researchers conducted separate focus groups with people experiencing back pain and with registered Australian GPs between June and August 2024, then used inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data.

What differences did patients and GPs emphasize about digital decision-support tools?

Patients valued increased knowledge and clarification of persistent questions after consultations, while GPs emphasized red flag screening, symptom monitoring, and time savings.

How did the study suggest digital tools could be used within GP workflows?

The findings support integrating tools before, during, and after consultations—helping patients prepare, providing clinicians with updates and resources during visits, and enabling follow-up through monitoring and addressing ongoing questions.

Sep 28, 2026

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