The patient, 35 years, Female had been suffering from low back pain for 7 years. The patient underwent a 5 week physiotherapy treatment and is ready to be discharged. The general physician (GP) had advised her to visit an exercise group, a psychology consultant. The patient was also advised to appoint a social worker for domestic purposes. The discharge plan has been designed as per the doctor’s opinion for a faster recovery.
Exercise group
Group exercise would decrease the signs and symptoms of low back pain. Exercise is said to lower the severity of low back pain in more than 90% of patients. Cognitive and behavioral functions would improve to a significant extent. The patient would seek minimal healthcare resources since the exercise group would help her out. The patient would also have less distressing pain. The exercise group for the patient would be advantageous and improve her quality of life.
Psychology Consultant
The patient had a misconception regarding the treatment for lower back pain. A psychology consultant would encourage her to participate in the treatment program. The patient would be motivated by the consultant that could bring about positive health outcomes. The psychology consultant would clear the patient’s misbeliefs and misconceptions regarding the treatment intervention. Psychology distress and depression are common among patients with lower back pain. Psychology consultation would bridge the communication gap between the patient and the general physician. Moreover, psychology consultation motivate the patient to continue with the recommended treatment intervention. Since the patient suffers from central sensitization, psychological intervention would be the most appropriate for faster recovery.
Social Worker
The patient suffers from a rare psychological disorder (similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder). Moreover, the patient suffers from a low back pain that would make her eligible for government-assisted domestic help. The social worker would communicate with local government agencies to check the eligibility criteria of the patient to receive government domestic services. The social worker would put forward two factors that would ensure the patient to receive government domestic services. The first would be, the health status of the patient (Partially bed-ridden). The second factor would be based on the patient’s mental health. Since the patient suffers from central sensitization, the social worker could easily convince government agencies to provide domestic services. The social worker would play an important role as an efficient communicator for the patient. Based on the physical and mental health status of the patient, the social worker could provide her with government-funded services. The financial status of the patient could also help the social worker to enhance her eligibility.
Conclusion
The doctor has recommended one of the best discharge plans for patients like Lisa. The inclusion of a psychology consultant and the social worker would motivate the patient. The risk of pain worsening would be avoided. To conclude, the discharge plan is appropriate as per the patient’s requirements.
References
Davariana, S., Maroufia, N., Ebrahimia, I., & Farahmandb, F. (2012). Trunk muscles strength and endurance in chronic low back pain patients with and without clinical instability. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 123–129.
Henchoz, Y., & Kai-Lik So, A. (2008). Exercise and nonspecific low back pain: A literature review. Joint, Bone and Spine. 533-539.
Slade, S., Ther, M., & Keating, J. (2006). Trunk-strengthening exercises for chronic low back pain: a systematic review. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 163-173.
van Tulder, M., Ostelo, R., S., J. W., Vlaeyen, J., Linton, S., & Morley, S. J. (2000). Behavioral Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine. 270–281.
Williams, A., Pither, C., & Richardson, P. (1996). The effects of cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic pain. Pain. 282-284.
