Table 2 Baseline characteristics of participating patients and physician

a)

Baseline characteristics of participating patients

Intervention (n = 14)

Control (n = 17)

Age median [range]

59 [36–83]

57 [21–81]

Gender

Men: 9, Women: 5

Men: 4, Women: 13

Back pain duration

< 1 year: 0

1 year-10 years: 2

> 10 years: 12

< 1 year: 1

1 year-10 years: 8

> 10 years: 8

Number of doctor visits because of back pain in the past 12 months

< 4 times: 9

4–12 times: 5

> 12 times: 0

< 4 times: 3

4–12 times: 12

> 12 times: 2

b)

Characteristics of participating physicians/surgeries

Intervention (n = 4)

Control (n = 4)

Age median [range]

39.5 [28–64]

53 [36–57]

Gender

Men: 3, Women:1

Men: 2, Women: 2

Duration of working in primary care in years

[Interquartile range]

6.25 [1.375]

19 [11.25-25]

Type of surgery

Joint practice: 4

Joint practice: 4

size of surgery

Big: 4 (> 1500 patients per year)

Big 4 (> 1500 patients per year

Location of surgery

Urban: 1, rural: 3

Rural: 3, ng: 1