The Back Pain Outcome Assessment Team

Objectives: To describe the federal initiative in outcomes research, the organization and structor of a Patient Outcomes Research Team [PORT] concerned with low back pain, and the early progress of this research team. Findings: Back pain is a leading reason for physician visits, hospitalization, and work disability. However, there is a paucity of valid evidence to support most current methods of treating spine disorders. This PORT was funded to study geographic variation in the use of back surgery and to better characterize its outcomes; evaluate the reasons for nonsurgical hospitalization for back pain; examine the accuracy and optimal sequencing of expensive diagnostic tests; and disseminate information to clinicians and patients to improve the process of care. This effort requires a multidisciplinary team of clinicans and methodologist, and a network of government and professional organizations concerned about the problem of low back pain. The team has documented wide geographic variations in rates of ...