The Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) for Low Back Pain help improve the quality, access and appropriateness of care for people with low back pain.
LBP has an estimated global prevalence rate of 9% at any given point in time.
Opioid overdose rates are highest among occupations with the greatest physical work demands and least access to paid sick leave.
Young and middle-aged men working in construction with mechanical low back pain account for more than 50% of musculoskeletal injuries.
More than 50% of toxic illicit drug overdose deaths of those employed worked in construction, other trades, and transport industries.
The RAC for LBP Pilot is a new, upstream service based on a successful care model developed in Ontario that led to a province-wide funded Rapid Access Clinic for Low Back Pain Program.
Patients referred to the RAC for LBP Pilot will receive an in-depth assessment based on the Center for Effective Practice stratified Clinically Organized Relevant Exam (CORE) Back Tool within 3-4 weeks of referral. A personalized self-management plan by an Advanced Practice Provider (physiotherapist) is provided within 3-4 weeks of referral.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with the following emergent red flags should be referred directly to the closest Emergency Department:
The RAC for LBP Pilot is an initiative funded by Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP). It supports primary care providers to improve low back pain management and screen for risk of substance use, chronic pain, and mental health conditions in the general population and particularly for those who work in the construction, trades and transport sectors.
It will replicate and enhance a successful care model developed in Ontario that led to a province-wide funded Rapid Access Clinic - Low Back Pain Pilot.
Patients who meet specific referral criteria (outlined below) and whose lower back pain cannot be managed through primary care can be referred to the RAC for LBP Pilot.
Inclusion criteria for the RAC for LBP Pilot:
In addition, it is recommended to consider referral in the scenarios mentioned above before initiating an opioid prescription, imaging referral, or specialist referral.
Exclusion criteria for the RAC for LBP Pilot:
*Patients with the following emergent red flags should be referred directly to the closest Emergency Department:
If you have any questions concerning the RAC for LBP Pilot, contact the Central Intake Office by calling 778-757-1302 or Mark Joe, operations manager, Initium Centre for Pain Medicine, [email protected].
Mark will ensure that you are connected to the FH Clinical Pain Lead (Brenda Poulton) and the RAC for LBP Pilot Coordinator (Gerry O'Hanley) as required.
Also, see Pathways BC resources within your community for MHSU.