Back pain and health policy research: the what, why, how, who, and when.

Study Design. A background literature, supported by discussion and outcomes on the subject of Health Policy and Back Pain, from the Fifth International Forum on Low Back Pain Research in Primary Care, in Montreal in May 2002. Summary of Background Data. A multitude of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have been completed in the field of back pain research. There has been limited health policy research in the field of back pain but a greater amount of health policy research in other medical fields. Methods. The focus of the workshop was on the contribution health policy could make in the area of back pain, the methodologies that are appropriate to research in back pain, and the barriers to back pain health policy research. The workshop was supported by the workshop coordinators’ literature review. Results. There was consensus about the lack of improved outcomes from randomized controlled trials and individual treatments and general agreement on the importance supporting current research initiatives with health policy research. That policy-makers were developing policy in this area was agreed, and study methodology to support evidence based policy development was explored. Conclusions. Health policy research is a relatively underdeveloped area of research in back pain. Back pain as a public health problem may be supported by a broader research approach and a collaborative association with policy-makers in this area.