Moderator: F. Todd Wetzel, MD
In the United Kingdom, low back pain is seen by primary care doctors with specialist referrals only under specific conditions. Additionally, several groups are now investigating bypassing physicians and referring directly to physiotherapists. Aside from increasing specialist satisfaction, especially that of surgical specialists, significant cost savings have been realized.
This symposium will attempt to look at the problem in a linear, non-hierarchical manner, beginning with the view from an (enlightened) primary care practitioner, and continuing to the view of a physical therapist, that or a nonoperative spine specialist, and finally from that of a surgeon.
Upon completion of this session, participants should gain strategies to:
- Objective
- Objective
- Objective
Agenda
Introduction
F. Todd Wetzel, MD
Statement of the Problem: Unnecessary Referrals
TBD
The View of the Primary Care Physician
Gary Yeoman, MD
The View of the Physical Therapist
Kay Scanlon, PT
The View of the Medical Specialist
Heidi Prather, DO
The View of the Surgeon
F. Todd Wetzel, MD
Discussion, Question and Answer
Faculty Panel