文摘
Back pain is from an economical point-of-view one of the most expensive health problems in developed countries of the western world. Despite intensive efforts to improve treatment structures and pathways, prevalence of back pain patients and related costs increase continuously. Alternative approaches, adressing patient-centered multimodal and interdisciplinary approaches beyond standard-of-care open with their combined pay-for-performance/results concept new perspectives for a successful, rapid, sustained and cost-efficient treatment. Here we present an integrated, interdisciplinary medical treatment concept for patients suffering from chronic back pain, based on a German joint venture of insurance companies, pain medical association, certified pain specialists, management organisation and external quality control. Keywords Back pain Standard care Integrated care Results-oriented compensation Ability to work Return-to-work Cost efficiency