News
November 17, 2010
Study Suggests NPs May Speed Diagnosis in Those with Back Pain
A study published in the December issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing indicates that nurse practitioners may help speed the diagnosis and management of patients with back pain who would normally wait months to see a surgeon. In the pilot study, a nurse practitioner at Toronto Western Hospital in Ontario, Canada gave patients exactly the same clinical diagnosis as two orthopedic spine surgeons at the hospital in 100 percent of the 177 patients she assessed. In addition, 74 percent of the patients said they were happy to see her rather than wait up to a year to see a surgeon, and 96 percent were satisfied with her assessment. To read a summary of the report, click here.
