Low back pain is a pervasive problem that affects three quarters of adults at some time in their lives (Chou, 2012). It ranks among the top ten reasons for patient visits to internists and is the most common and expensive reason for work disability in the U.S.  Low back pain is second only to upper respiratory problems as a symptom-related reason for visits to a physician (Jarvik and Deyo 2002).

Each year in the United States low back pain is experienced by 25 to 50 percent of adults, making it one of the most common reasons for seeking health care services (Haldeman, 2008). Low back pain results in high indirect costs from disability, lost time from work, and decreased productivity while at work, and is the number one cause for activity limitations in younger adults (Chou, 2012). The costs associated with health care services for spine pain (primarily low back pain) in the U.S. increased from $45.9 billion in 1997 to $102.6 billion in 2004 (Martin, 2008).

The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society guidelines (Cho et al. 2007) strongly recommend that “Clinicians should not routinely obtain imaging or other diagnostic tests in patients with nonspecific low back pain”. One important measure of quality is inappropriate imaging. FMCW baseline performance (2016) showed that inappropriate imaging was being ordering ordered in nearly 1 of 5 patients with low back pain. Adherence to clinical guidelines includes appropriate use of imaging has improved but there is still room for improvement and to decrease variation.

The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.75  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Medical College of Wisconsin is accredited by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as an approved provider of nurse Practitioner continuing education.  Provider Number: 150930.

The Medical College of Wisconsin designates this activity for up to 0.75 hours of participation for continuing education for allied health professionals.