New partnership for InSpired Health Outcomes
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Dr Tara Symonds (an expert in Clinical Outcome Assessment science) and Dr Kim Burton OBE (expert consultant in the area of work and health and formerly of the University of Huddersfield) to manage two health questionnaires.
We will be managing their Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ) and Psychosocial Aspects of Work (PAW) Questionnaire. Both BBQ and PAW are valuable measurement tools aimed at research into psychosocial factors impacting work absence and job satisfaction.
In 2020, low back pain (LBP) affected 619 million people globally, and it is estimated that this number will rise to 843 million by 2050. Non-specific LBP is the most common form, accounting for about 90% of cases (World Health Organization).
Low back problems are a leading cause of work absence. The likelihood of returning to work decreases significantly over time, with only 50% of people reporting LBP returning at six months and just 5% after one year. Taking time off work can also exacerbate the problem, as inactivity may worsen the condition (Faculty of Occupational Medicine, 2000).
The BBQ is a concise, 9-item, Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Measure (or PROM) designed to evaluate an individual's beliefs about the inevitable consequences of their low back trouble (LBT).
By assessing the person’s perceptions of the consequences of back trouble and capturing beliefs that may be mistaken, employers and clinicians are empowered to counter negative, self-limiting beliefs and for misconceptions to be challenged.
The idea that all, or specific types of, work worsens back troubles can be pervasive and where this can be identified through a PROM such as the BBQ, constructive challenge to this thinking can be enabled.
Similarly, the belief that inactivity or prolonged bed rest are beneficial, can be countered where appropriate.
In contrast, where positive, evidence-based attitudes about LBT can be cultivated, this can lead to quicker recovery times. By addressing such beliefs, organisations improve employee wellbeing and productivity whilst reducing absence and associated costs.
We are excited to be taking forward this work with Dr Symonds and Dr Burton to help address the global burden of LBP.
World Health Organization. Low back pain. World Health Organization. Retrieved August 22, 2024, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/low-back-pain
Faculty of Occupational Medicine. (2000, March). Back pain at work: A guide for people at work and their employers. https://www.fom.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/backpain_leaflet.pdf