Back Pain Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Back Pain, including details on lower back pain, sciatica, treatment, prevention, medication.

The development and use of mass media interventions for health-care messages about back pain: what do members of the public think?

Barker KL, Minns Lowe CJ, Reid M

Physiotherapy Research Unit, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK. Karen.Barker@noc.anglox.nhs.uk

The study sought to identify and explore the opinions, beliefs and views of members of the public regarding the use of media interventions for the delivery of health-care messages. It used a draft back pain campaign looking at the level of credibility, acceptability and trust in the authority of these messages. Sixty-eight members of the public participated in the study. A qualitative study design was used with semi-structured focus groups and a sampling frame including gender, age, socio-economic group, and experience of back pain. Three main themes were identified. 1. Media consumption. 2. Credibility. 3. Specific issues surrounding the proposed sample media campaign. The use of media to provide health-care information was viewed positively, with the NHS perceived as the most trustworthy source, and Government bodies viewed with scepticism. Issues surrounding the language, terminology and tone of campaigns were raised. A closer collaboration between health-care professionals and the public is advocated to achieve valuable and effective media campaigns.

Published 5 September 2007 in Man Ther, 12(4): 335-41.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Back Pain Research Today. All Rights Reserved.