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Learning Objectives
After reading this CME Bulletin, you should be able to:
- Understand the family physician’s role as advocate for his or her patients who have chronic low back pain.
- Conduct a focused, evidence-based medical history and physical examination to place patients who have chronic low back pain in appropriate diagnostic categories.
- Identify high-risk patients for whom poor outcomes can be predicted.
- Help patients choose appropriate treatment options.
- Determine when interventional or surgical therapy is warranted.
- Provide follow-up care for patients who have received interventional or surgical therapy.
Author Information
This CME Bulletin was prepared by Kimberly Watkins, in consultation with Stanley A. Herring, MD, and Francis G. O'Connor, MD, MPH, COL, MC, USA.
Stanley A. Herring, MD, a board-certified physiatrist, is medical director for spinal care at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he is a clinical professor of rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurological surgery. Dr. Herring currently serves as a team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners.
Francis G. O'Connor, MD, MPH, COL, MC, USA, is an associate professor of family medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md. He serves as medical director of the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), as well as associate sports medicine fellowship director.
Bruce Bagley, MD, FAAFP, who served as medical editor for this Bulletin, is medical director for quality improvement at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). He served as the AAFP’s president from 1999 to 2000 and as chair of its Board of Directors from 2000 to 2001.
Kimberly Watkins is an associate editor at the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Disclosure Statements: Dr. Herring returned a disclosure form indicating that he is on the Spine Scientific Advisory Board for UnitedHealth Group. His disclosure information was reviewed for potential conflict of interest and this was resolved prior to confirmation of his participation. Dr. O’Connor, Dr. Bagley and Ms. Watkins returned disclosure forms indicating that they have no financial interest in or affiliation with any commercial supporter or providers of any commercial services discussed in this educational material.
Masthead
Susanna Guzman
Assistant Division Director
Online & Custom Publishing
Marilyn Busby
CME Multimedia Specialist
Continuing Medical Education
Kimberly Watkins
Editor
Bryan Colley
Graphic Associate
Stanley A. Herring, MD, a board-certified physiatrist, is medical director for spinal care at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he is a clinical professor of rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurological surgery. Dr. Herring currently serves as a team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners.
Francis G. O'Connor, MD, MPH, COL, MC, USA, is an associate professor of family medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md. He serves as medical director of the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), as well as associate sports medicine fellowship director.
Bruce Bagley, MD, FAAFP, who served as medical editor for this Bulletin, is medical director for quality improvement at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). He served as the AAFP’s president from 1999 to 2000 and as chair of its Board of Directors from 2000 to 2001.
Kimberly Watkins is an associate editor at the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Disclosure Statements: Dr. Herring returned a disclosure form indicating that he is on the Spine Scientific Advisory Board for UnitedHealth Group. His disclosure information was reviewed for potential conflict of interest and this was resolved prior to confirmation of his participation. Dr. O’Connor, Dr. Bagley and Ms. Watkins returned disclosure forms indicating that they have no financial interest in or affiliation with any commercial supporter or providers of any commercial services discussed in this educational material.
Masthead
Susanna Guzman
Assistant Division Director
Online & Custom Publishing
Marilyn Busby
CME Multimedia Specialist
Continuing Medical Education
Kimberly Watkins
Editor
Bryan Colley
Graphic Associate
CME Accreditation Information
This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 2.0 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians. AAFP accreditation begins March 1, 2008. The term of approval is for two years from this date with option for yearly renewal.
When reporting AAFP credit, report total prescribed and elective credit earned for this activity.
The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The AAFP designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
When reporting AAFP credit, report total prescribed and elective credit earned for this activity.
The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The AAFP designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAFP Members
AAFP members wishing to obtain CME credit for completing this activity should read the CME Bulletin, complete the self-assessment quiz and evaluation, indicate the number of credits they are reporting for this activity, and submit the Answer Sheet to the AAFP by mail or fax, or online. If the form is returned by mail or fax, your CME credits will be posted for you. If you complete the quiz and evaluation online, the credits will be posted automatically to your CME record.
Nonmembers
Physicians who are not members of the AAFP may request a letter documenting activity completion. To do so, please check the appropriate box on the self-assessment quiz Answer Sheet and return it to the AAFP.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the American Academy of Family Physicians or United Healthcare.
It is the policy of the American Academy of Family Physicians that all CME planning committee/faculty/authors/editors/staff disclose relationships with commercial entities upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, they are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity.
The AAFP uses an anonymous peer review process to evaluate the content of each CME Bulletin. This process ensures a clear identification and resolution of any potential conflicts of interest, and guarantees the fairness and balance of the content.
Read this CME Bulletin now.
It is the policy of the American Academy of Family Physicians that all CME planning committee/faculty/authors/editors/staff disclose relationships with commercial entities upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, they are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity.
The AAFP uses an anonymous peer review process to evaluate the content of each CME Bulletin. This process ensures a clear identification and resolution of any potential conflicts of interest, and guarantees the fairness and balance of the content.
Read this CME Bulletin now.
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