Backpain

The overall aim is to investigate the health outcomes and consequences, from an individual and a societal perspective, of adding licensed Manual Therapists as first-contact healthcare providers in Primary Health Care centers to triage (not treat) patients seeking care for Neck and Back Pain. A hybrid, quasi-experimental Target Trial Emulation design employing mixed methods contextualized to participating Primary Health Care centers will be used. Neck and Back Pain patients with a physician's appointment at a participating Primary Health Care center will be included and followed one year; * 300 patients with care as usual who see their physician (control group), * 300 patients who see a licensed naprapath/chiropractor for an initial evidence-based assessment/screening before the physicians' visit. Patient outcomes include recovery, function and work ability, as well as health economy are compared between the groups.