PATIENT EXPERIENCES FROM NEUROSURGICAL CONSULTATIONS FOR BACK AND LEG PAIN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

BackgroundPersistent low back and leg pain is a common and highly disabling musculoskeletal condition. Many patients seek the opinion of a neurosurgeon with a view to surgical intervention. Few data are available which document the experiences of patients at these consultations.AimsTo investigate the experiences of patients seeking a neurosurgical opinion for back and leg pain.Methods15 patients (Males 9 Females 6) were consented and recruited into this study and participated in an in-depth semi-structured interview about their experiences of the consultation. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcribed data were read independently by two researchers and analysed using grounded theory.ResultsThree subgroups of patients were identified from the interviews. Group 1: Patients that were offered surgery and described a positive experience. Group 2: Patients that were not offered surgery and described a positive experience. Group 3: Patients that were not offered surgery and described a negative exper...