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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate patient beliefs surrounding imaging for chronic non-specific low back pain (cLBP) when it is not clinically indicated. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients diagnosed with cLBP, and thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes from the interviews. RESULTS: Eleven patients (6 females, 5 males, mean age 53 ± 15.66 years) participated in the study. Three main themes emerged: (1) cognitive dissonance: need to 'know the cause,' but recognition of multifactorial dimension of pain; (2) imaging as a treatment guide: seen as useful post-conservative treatment failure and (3) imaging has different consequences: reassuring for some; anxiety-inducing and misleading for others. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of patient education regarding the limitations of diagnostic imaging for non-specific cLBP and the need for healthcare providers to communicate more effectively about alternative pain management strategies.
Lullo et al. (Mon,) studied this question.