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Patients treated by physicians who infrequently prescribed pain medications and bed rest were more satisfied with education about back pain.The total one year costs of back care were higher among patients seen by physicians who frequently prescribed bed rest and pain medications (cost,$768+/-$1592)than among those seen by physicians who infrequently prescribed(cost$428+/-$665)due largely to differences in inpatient and specialty care costs.The adjusted difference in costs,after controlling for case-mix variables,was$277(95%CI,$85.50 to$471.32).A practice style consistent with back pain self-care yielded similar long term pain and functional outcomes at lower cost and was associated with higher satisfaction with patient education compared with a practice style characterized by more frequent prescribing of pain medication and bed rest. |
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