Table 2.
Health care providers seen by Canadian military Veterans for the management of chronic low back pain
| Health care provider | Seen at any time for low back pain treatment,* n (%) | Satisfaction with care, on a 0–10 scale,† median (IQR) | Seen on base for low back pain treatment during military career,‡ n (%) | Seen off base for low back pain treatment during military career,§ n (%) | Should be available on base for active duty military personnel,¶ n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family doctor or GP | 252 (87) | 6 (3–8) | 186 (64) | 51 (18) | 132 (46) |
| Physiatrist** | 116 (40) | 5 (1–7) | 35 (12) | 36 (12) | 121 (42) |
| Orthopedic surgeon | 100 (35) | 4 (0–7) | 30 (10) | 43 (15) | 90 (31) |
| Neurosurgeon | 62 (21) | 2 (0–6) | 12 (4) | 38 (13) | 65 (22) |
| Nurse | 90 (31) | 5 (1–7) | 83 (29) | 19 (7) | 73 (25) |
| Physiotherapist | 229 (79) | 7 (5–8) | 169 (58) | 113 (39) | 174 (60) |
| Chiropractor | 203 (70) | 6 (3–8) | 38 (13) | 101 (35) | 148 (51) |
| Occupational therapist | 151 (52) | 5 (3–7) | 30 (10) | 35 (12) | 146 (50) |
| Registered massage therapist | 214 (74) | 8 (6–9) | 27 (9) | 87 (30) | 204 (70) |
| Acupuncturist or TCM practitioner | 154 (53) | 6 (2–8) | 34 (12) | 53 (18) | 105 (36) |
| Mental health professional (e.g., psychologist) | 166 (57) | 7 (5–9) | 42 (15) | 35 (12) | 123 (42) |
IQR = interquartile range; GP = general physician; TCM = traditional Chinese medicine.
Other health care providers seen by respondents include anesthesiologist, counsellor, cranio-sacral therapist, dietician, kinesiologist, naturopath, occult practitioner, osteopath, physiologist, rheumatologist, and social worker.
Satisfaction with care scale: 0 (not at all satisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied).
Other health care providers seen on-base by respondents included anesthesiologist, kinesiologist, and social worker.
Other health care providers seen off-base by respondents included anesthesiologist, emergency room physician, osteopath, rheumatologist, social worker, and sports medicine physician.
Other health care providers respondents felt should be available on base included anesthesiologist, breathing or meditation coach, internist, kinesiologist, Pilates instructor, podiatrist, social worker, sports medicine physician, and yoga instructor.
A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.